Settlement Counsellor

LUSO Community Services is a neighbourhood resource centre dedicated to promoting inclusiveness, well-being and prosperity in the London community. We provide programs and services in the London community for children, youth, families, and seniors of culturally diverse and ethnic backgrounds.

**SETTLEMENT COUNSELLOR**

**Job Summary**:. The Settlement Counsellor will work with newcomers on a one-to-one basis and provide information and referrals to help them with immediate needs such as housing, health care, education, employment, the legal system, immigration issues etc. The Settlement Counsellor position is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and specifically supports newcomers that are government assisted, privately sponsored or permanent residents.

**Reporting**: The Settlement Counsellor will be an employee of LUSO Community Services. Day-to-day supervision/consultation will be provided by the Director of Settlement Services in the form of formal supervision meetings as well as informal support as requested by the worker.

**Position Details**: This is a permanent full time position, 37.5 hours per week. Working hours are generally 9-5 but some evenings may be required to meet program outcomes.

**Key responsibilities**:
**Individual Service to Newcomer clients**:

- Ensures that newcomer immigrants are aware of IRCC funded services
- Meets with clients to assess their settlement strengths and needs and develop individualized settlement plans
- Disseminate information to recently arrived immigrants and refugees
- Provide general assistance, orientation and information about community and government programming to newcomers
- Maintain a schedule for following up to ensure that clients had successfully met their settlement needs
- Identify and refer to other community services, agencies programs etc.
- Facilitate client access to services by telephoning for appointments, translating documents, assisting clients fill out forms, write correspondence, etc.,
- Advocate on behalf of clients with institutions, employers, landlords etc.,
- Assist newcomer to understand their rights and responsibilities as new Canadians
- Identify and bring forward for discussion/resolution, any challenge barrier or gaps in service for clientele
- Provide client-centered services in a supportive and culturally-sensitive manner
- Provide practical guidance to assist newcomers in coping with problem of everyday living, e.g. housing, transportation and access to social and health services.

**Administration Duties**:

- Maintain accurate written records and files pertaining to settlement services provided to clients
- Enters statistical information in a data system using both OCASI Client Management System ( OCMS) and IRCC approved tracking system, known as iCare
- Ensures deliverables are in compliance with contribution agreement and administrative obligations while meeting organizational targets and goals
- Ensures appropriate and confidential handling of client information and files
- Prepares and submits reports, statistics etc.,
- Collects newcomer client feedback (e.g. surveys, user needs assessment, etc.) to track outcomes of settlement services.
- Participate in staff meetings and attend training opportunities
- Participate in community meetings and workshops to stay current on issues affecting community
- Accepts other duties as assigned by the Director of Settlement Services

**Job Expectations**:

- Provide client-centered services in a supportive and culturally-sensitive manner.
- Operate in accordance with policies, procedures, guidelines and protocols of LUSO Community Services.
- Participate as a member of LUSO Community Services’ staff team by furthering collective team goals.
- Represent the principles and values of LUSO Community Services.
- Work independently and effectively in a team and with other professionals in the community.
- Promote and demonstrate sensitivity to cross-cultural issues.

**Qualifications**:

- Social Service Worker Diploma, Social Work Degree, related fields of expertise
- Minimum of 3 years relevant experience in actively supporting newcomers and referring newcomers, refugees and immigrants to needed services
- Proven ability to work with individuals and groups from diverse cultural backgrounds
- Knowledge of the newcomer settlement and integration process and a working knowledge of settlement needs and community supports
- Knowledge of government processes relating to newcomer and immigrants
- Proven ability to work with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds
- Project a positive, friendly and professional attitude
- Ability to work independently with minimum supervision
- Exceptional customer service skills, over the phone and in person
- Self-motivated individual with ability to work under pressure
- Excellent interpersonal skills, as well as verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to communicate in a second language an asset in particular: Spanish,