Settlement Counsellor

**Settlement Counsellor**
- This is a full-time position_

**Expected Position start date**: January 6, 2025 _(*pending funding approval)_

**Position Reports to**: Manager, Settlement Services

**Position Details**

The Settlement Counsellor is responsible for delivering intakes, settlement, and referral services for clients and plays a key role in program development under the supervision of the Settlement Services Manager. The focus of this position is to provide vital support and guidance to youth who act as translators for their families, addressing the unique challenges and emotions that both the youth and their families may encounter. The role involves facilitating access to community resources for individuals and families, especially newcomers.
- **Education & Experience**_
- **Key Responsibilities**_
- Provide support and guidance to youth acting as translators for their families, helping them navigate this role while addressing potential feelings of burden or shame experienced by both youth and parents.
- Co-facilitate workshops and sessions that aid youth in developing coping strategies, resilience, and communication skills, fostering positive family relationships and a supportive environment.
- Support parents in using positive parenting techniques that empower and encourage their children, contributing to healthier family dynamics.
- Assess clients’ needs, develop individualized service plans, and address critical needs through direct services or referrals in areas such as shelter, food, finances, health, education, parenting, safety, and language. Offer practical orientation to Canadian culture and services and provide interpretation and translation assistance as needed.
- Advocate on behalf of clients with institutions when necessary to ensure they receive necessary support.
- Plan and coordinate settlement-related activities and programs for the families, contributing to successful community integration.
- Conduct case management meetings and adjust service plans as necessary to ensure clients’ evolving needs are consistently met.
- Collect and analyze client feedback through surveys and workshop evaluations to assess and improve settlement services.
- Maintain accurate documentation, including client files, reports, and statistics, in alignment with funding requirements and service targets.
- Promotes the program by using various channels, social media and advertising sites and collaborating with community partners.
- Performs other job-related duties as required by the supervisor.
- **Competencies**_
- Latest local trends, approaches, discourses, and research on newcomer youth and families, psychology, psychoanalysis, settlement, and migration.
- Established research approaches in the study of newcomer youth, migrants, migrations, community development, societies and human behaviour.
- Current discourses and issues relating to equity, diversity and inclusion in minorities.
- Established experience of program/project operation and coordination, including program development, recruitment of participants and program implementation in a not-for-profit setting.
- Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methodology (surveys, interviews).
- Non-profit fund development landscape.
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills including grant proposal, report and research paper writing
- Exceptional leadership skills and the ability to motivate program staff
- Excellent time management and organizational skills to handle multiple responsibilities
- Excellent at building a positive team spirit and a highly team-oriented environment
- Effective problem-solving, decision making and conflict-resolution skills
- Strong work ethic and commitment to the success of the organization
- Excellent ability to adapt to new and changing circumstances
- Owns a vehicle with a valid driver’s license
- Effective presentation skills and ability to represent the Society at external stakeholder and partner meetings.
- Be sensitive to cultural differences and work with a diverse population
- Ensure accountability of all levels in the organization
- Be creative and innovative
- Maintain confidentiality and integrity

Pay: $19.26-$21.89 per hour

**Benefits**:

- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Life insurance
- On-site childcare
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Vision care

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday

**Education**:

- Bachelor's Degree (required)

**Language**:

- English (required)
- Farsi (preferred)
- Dari (preferred)
- Tigrinya (preferred)
- Amharic (preferred)

Work Location: In person

Expected start date: 2025-01-06