Newcomer Language Specialist

About Us

For almost 50 years, Immigrant Services Calgary has been an integral part of the Calgary community, working to make a meaningful difference in the lives of newcomers. Through our work, we ensure families and individuals have the support they need to successfully begin a new chapter of their lives in Canada.

We continually innovate in our work, reimagining and transforming the newcomer experience to make it easier for our clients to access the support they need to thrive. We collaborate with partner agencies, governments, organizations, and community advocates, to help immigrants and refugees build thriving lives in our community.

Immigrant Services Calgary helps over 10,000 newcomers each year, connecting them to programs and services to unleash their potential.

Our Vision

Unleashing the economic, social, and civic potential of clients.

Our Mission

Connecting newcomers to the right service at the right agency every time.

Our Values

we are forward thinking, adaptable and optimistic. We value accountability, collaboration, and impactfulness. We act with integrity and treat people with respect.

Position Overview

Reporting to the CLARC Team Lead, the Newcomer Language Specialist supports the language assessment and referral services model and ensures compliance of operating standards and protocols at assigned locations.

This is a casual position located in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Casual hours can be flexible, but successful candidates will need to be available Monday-Friday during business hours for the duration of the training. Training will take approximately 3 weeks.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in Canada to be considered for this position.

Responsibilities

• Administer language assessments to evaluate clients' listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills according to the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) standards, including preparing testing materials, and ensuring adherence to testing protocols and security measures.
• Administer designated language assessments in person at the main office, at any satellite location, online, proctored or proctor less.
• Provide thorough needs assessments of clients applying for language programs, including special needs, accommodations, and preferences for language training.
• Ensure clients are advised on all appropriate language training options that meet their needs, goals, and preferences.
• Provide referrals to clients to appropriate programs through established protocols.
• Record and maintain accurate assessment data, including test scores, client profiles, and referral information; enter required data into centralized data base and ensure accuracy of data input according to funders’ requirements.
• Participate, where possible, and represent CLARC in events and activities with internal and external stakeholders, and relevant professional associations such as ATESL.
• Assist with the general task work necessary to the smooth functioning of the Centre, including planning and facilitating workshops, seminars, or informational sessions on CLARC activities, participating in report preparation, completing client follow ups, supporting the training and development of new staff, participating in the documentation of operational workflows.
• Create assessment report and referral within SF; send referral email to service providers and email clients their official CLB results; complete evaluation and service recording to complete client’s file.
• Monitor the LINC re-referral queue, and the Re-assessment Approval queue in SF; contact clients as needed to discuss their needs, validating within funder data base, and complete service requests within a timely manner.

• Other duties as assigned by the Team Lead
• Travel to satellite locations on a rotational basis.
• Provide feedback to clients regarding their assessment results, including recommendations for further language learning or skill development.
• Participate in designated professional development opportunities to stay updated on best practices, CLB/NCLC guidelines, and relevant research in the field.
• Based on skills, capacity, and assignment may provide Education Counselling sessions to eligible clients.
  • Provision of online, in person, and telephone appointments
  • Preparation and provision of individual educational plans based on clients’ interests, abilities, and future plans.
  • Supporting clients with career planning to identify potential career pathways and employment requirements.
  • Providing resource referrals to connect clients’ relevant resources and support services to address academic, personal, or socio-economic challenges that may impact educational success.