Settlement Counsellor

**JOB TITLE: Settlement Counsellor - Internal/External Posting**

**STATUS: Full-time (35 hrs./week), Permanent**

**SALARY: $42,630 per year**

**REPORTS TO: Manager of Newcomer Programs**

**CLOSING DATE: Monday, May 29, 2023, at 3:00 pm EDT**

**Want to be part of a dynamic team that positively impacts the community and lets you grow and reach your full potential?**Working as a Settlement Counsellor with the Sault Community Career Centre (SCCC) could be the perfect fit SCCC is a recognized leader in the settlement and integration of newcomers and refugees to Sault Ste. Marie. We provide the resources and guidance newcomers need to become engaged in social, civic, cultural, and economic life. We provide opportunities to gain experience from a supportive team in an inclusive workplace and offer a supportive work culture emphasizing work-life balance.

**JOB SUMMARY**

The Settlement Counsellor provides front-line services such as counselling, referral, advocacy, research, translation, and interpretation to recent immigrants and refugees. The role also includes the development and implementation of appropriate action plans and programs. Drawing on their past experiences, education, and expertise, the Settlement Counsellor will identify the needs of recent and established immigrants. They will promote and encourage quality client service by organizing and facilitating meetings, information sessions, and workshops with individuals and groups. The position also includes the responsibility to gather relevant data and feedback needed to evaluate and improve SCCC’s services and improve its capacity to build efficient and effective services.

**KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**

**INTAKE AND ASSESSMENT**
- Conduct needs assessments and referrals that respond to the immediate needs of clients
- Assist newcomers with identifying short and long-term settlement goals
- Coordinate the provision of services through case management, settlement action plans, and advocacy
- Develop and provide required life skills orientation sessions
- Prepare clients to actively access networks and navigate Canadian systems
- Provide referrals to help clients access community services such as medical services, mental health support, housing, employment, transportation, financial services, etc., and accompany clients if required
- Provide practical information, orientation resources, and programming that address the immediate needs of clients; prepare them for longer-term integration challenges, and inform them of available services and supports, including content tailored to specific groups (e.g., youth, seniors)
- Assist in preparing documentation, form-filling, interpretation/translation, and other related services
- Conducts financial orientation, informing clients about their financial responsibilities to ensure that they understand the fundamentals of the Canadian banking and financial systems and the key entitlements and obligations of their budget, thereby increasing their financial literacy
- Provide support to ensure a seamless and rapid transition to broader settlement support services, minimizing disruption to the client and facilitating their transition toward a productive role in Canadian society and the economy
- Collaborate with various community partners in support of programming; identify and refer appropriately to SCCC programs and other community services and resources
- Willing to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends

**ADMINISTRATION**
- Contribute to overall program planning and implementation
- Keep client management and case notes up-to-date
- Record and enter data in appropriate database systems, participate in training to learn new systems, and stay up-to-date on system requirements
- Participate in program-related training opportunities
- Comply with SCCC’s vision, values, policies, and procedures

**QUALIFICATIONS**

**LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS**
- Proficiency in English, both oral and written, is required
- Proficiency in additional languages, including French, Arabic, Dari, and Pashto, is considered an asset

**EDUCATION**
- Post-secondary Degree, Diploma, or Certificate of Qualification in a related discipline

**KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE**
- Experience working with vulnerable clients and marginalized individuals with complex needs is strongly desired
- Knowledge of various federal and provincial immigration programs and pathways
- Time and resource management skills; effectively and accurately manage client caseload, client data, and document client progress
- Demonstrate the ability to design and deliver orientation workshops
- Support and promote community-based development initiatives to assist with the integration of clients
- Awareness of and respect for cultural diversity
- Effective interpersonal and intercultural communication techniques
- Experience with conflict resolution, facilitation, and presentation skills
- Experience working collaboratively as part of a diverse team
- Proficien