Settlement Case Worker

Job Title: Arabic Speaking Settlement Case Worker (Contract up to March 31, 2026)

Department: Welcome Centre and Immigrant Services - Oshawa/Clarington

Reports To: Manager, Welcome Centre and Immigrant Services - Oshawa/Clarington

Hours of Work: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Standard Work Schedule: 37.5 Hours Per Week (Mandatory)

Application Deadline : 4:30 pm December 5, 2025

Job purpose

The Settlement Case Worker is responsible for providing personalized support for newcomers, assessing client needs, helping them navigate the settlement process by providing support and guidance with their settlement plans, and scheduling follow-up appointments. The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge of Canadian immigration programs and demonstrate a proven track record of successfully managing and executing immigrations and settlement processes.

The Settlement Case Worker will be responsible for clients' case management, providing expert advice, and ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements for newcomers experiencing multiple persistent barriers. Further eligibility assessment will be conducted, leading to warm referrals to internal and external service providers and/or to Well-Being Navigators. The incumbent will also have a broad understanding of the services available locally and ensure clients receive comprehensive assistance in areas such as housing, employment, education, healthcare, and legal matters, empowering them to achieve self-sufficiency and active participation in Canadian society.

Company Overview

Community Development Council Durham (CDCD) is an independent, not-for-profit social planning organization that has been working to enhance the quality of life for individuals, families and communities in Durham for 55 years. We organize a variety of research, community development and social planning initiatives as well as administer and deliver front line social service programs. Please visit us at for more information.

Duties and responsibilities

• Using a client-centered, anti-oppression, anti-racism, trauma-informed, gender-based analysis plus+ and strength-based approaches, build relationships and establish rapport with clients and partners.
• Maintain confidentiality and privacy protection measures for all community partners, vendors, staff and clients.
• Promote a high-functioning teamwork environment that is inclusive, harmonious, cooperative, efficient and productive.
• Participate in promoting a positive workplace culture through agency committee membership and departmental activities.

Client Support and Case Management

• The Settlement Case Worker will handle a diverse caseload of immigration applications, including but not limited to temporary visa applications, work permits, permanent resident applications, and family reunification cases.
• Provide guidance and support on immigration processes, including document preparation and application assistance.
• Conduct client intake, needs assessments, and eligibility evaluations for settlement services.
• Determine the needs of clients and the support that is appropriate for each individual client using standard assessment tools and methods.
• Assist and provide referrals in translation services to aid with documentation pertaining to employment, education and legal matters.
• Co-develop and implement personalized settlement plans with client input and tailored to the client's unique needs and short and long-term goals.
• Support high-needs clients during immediate, early, and late adaptation.
• Schedule and conduct 3, 6, and 12-month follow-up appointments to monitor client progress and adjust settlement plans as needed.
• Support clients in coping with everyday living requirements such as housing, transportation and access to health and social services.
• Assist clients in meeting their essential needs while helping them gain the skills required to navigate their settlement journey.
• Provide guidance to client to independently access settlement services when needed.
• Assist clients with all initial and continual settlement needs.
• Maintain client files, ensuring confidentiality.

Referrals and Service Coordination

• Make warm referrals to internal and external service providers, including Wellness Navigator, Mental Health Settlement Workers and Volunteer Coordinator for specialized support.
• Assist and provide referrals in translation services to aid with documentation pertaining to employment, education and other settlement matters.
• Assist clients with specific settlement needs to resources relating to economic, social, cultural, educational, recreational and other services that contribute to initial settlement.
• Collaborate with partner organizations to ensure seamless service delivery and holistic client care.

Advocacy and Compliance

• Advocate for clients by addressing barriers and ensuring access to essential services.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of changes and developments in Canadian immigration policies and procedures, settlement regulations, and community resources.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory and organizational policies when managing client cases.
• Share information with clients about their rights and obligations.

Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain accurate and confidential client records, including service plans, case notes, and progress reports.
• Update information on local services and programs database.
• Upload and update information/data on Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's iCARE system and the CDCD Welcome Centers database.
• Meet the target numbers stipulated by the funder.
• Prepare statistical and narrative reports as required.

(Note: In-depth counseling of a social or psychological nature is not to be provided but rather referrals to be made to appropriate professionals)

Core Competencies

Valuing Diversity and Social Justice

Using an anti-oppression lens, supports and promotes an environment that holds opportunities for all, regardless of race, ancestry, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, family status, or disability; fosters a climate of inclusion, where diverse thoughts are freely shared and integrated. Under social justice, all groups and individuals receive fair treatment and an equitable share of the benefits of society.

Culturally Sensitive

Recognizing, understanding, and applying attitudes and practices that are sensitive to and appropriate for people with diverse cultural socioeconomic and educational backgrounds, and persons of all ages, genders, health statuses, sexual orientations and abilities.

Advocacy

Interventions such as speaking, writing, or acting in favour of a particular issue or cause, policy, or group of people. In the social services sector, advocacy is assumed to be in the public interest, whereas lobbying by a special interest group may or may not be in the public interest. Advocacy often aims to enhance the quality of life for disadvantaged groups such as individuals recently immigrating to Canada, persons with disabilities, the LGBT community, etc.

Community Participation

Procedures whereby members of a community participate directly in decision-making about developments that affect the community. It covers a spectrum of activities ranging from passive involvement in community life to intensive action-oriented participation in community development (including political initiatives and strategies).

Job-Specific Competencies

Client Service Orientation

Focus on understanding and meeting clients' needs, makes extra effort to meet the needs of the individual client and the family through a proven case management model and follows up on complaints/questions/requests.

Relationship Building and Partnering

Developing and maintaining positive relationships and partnerships. Builds relationships with clients by following through on commitments, respecting confidentiality, and demonstrating an interest in their specific challenges and needs.

Empathetic and Sensitive

Has a high degree of empathy and sensitivity to the needs of the clients, and ability to provide assistance to the clients with care and patience as necessary.

Interpersonal Understanding and Communication Skills

Desire/ability to understand others' attitudes/interests/needs/feelings/nonverbal behavior, incorporating empathy, listening skills, and diagnostic understanding, understanding strengths/limitations of others. Communicates and interacts effectively with individuals and groups in the provision of professional services. Gives full attention to what other people are saying by being active listeners who value the opinions of their workers. Capable of using their communication skills to successfully gather information that they need. They are also people who are trusted and can build relationships with others.

Presentation Skills

Effective in a variety of formal and informal presentation settings; commands attention and manages group process during the presentation; is cognizant of audience response and able to adapt content and style accordingly.

Ability to work in a team environment and independently

Has a strong capability to work in a team environment and support the separate functions that make a team, as well as work on individual tasks that support that overall program.

Community Knowledge

Ability to express vast knowledge of the Durham Community, as well as knowledge in social, government, and community services.

Additional Requirements

• The Settlement Case Worker will work out of an office environment and will be required to lift up to 20 lbs.
• Prolonged sitting is required.
• The Settlement Case Worker will need to be flexible in the case of attending evening and/or weekend meetings and events as required.
• Valid Class G driver's license and access to a reliable vehicle and insurance with the ability to work in a variety of settings.
• The successful candidate must provide an acceptable Vulnerable Sector Screening and certificate demonstrating proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 prior to commencing employment.
• The physical ability to function effectively in an environment that include normal office duties being carried out in an external setting.
• Required to travel for training, conferences, meetings, and committee meetings.

Qualifications

• Interested candidates must be able to speak fluent Arabic and English
• Post-secondary education in Social Work, Community Development, Immigration & Settlement Studies, or a related field. Equivalent work experience will be considered.
• Direct experience working with Government-Assisted Refugees (GARs) and knowledge of the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP).
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in refugee resettlement, social services, or community outreach, including at least 2 years in a leadership role.
• At least 3 three years of experience in program development, project management, and staff supervision.
• Demonstrated experience working with vulnerable populations, particularly refugees and newcomers.
• Proficiency in non-therapeutic counselling, needs assessment, and volunteer management.
• Familiarity with funding proposals and reporting processes is an asset.
• Experience in staff supervision, program evaluation, and strategic planning.
• The physical ability to function effectively in an environment that include normal office duties being carried out in an external setting.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Applicants are requested to submit their resume and a cover letter stating salary expectation, while outlining their strengths, experience and aptitude to fulfill the position requirements.

Please submit applications to Settlement Case Worker at:

CDCD thanks all applicants for their interest; however, only those asked for additional information and/or selected for an interview will be contacted.

CDCD is committed to providing equal opportunity to all employees. We strive to create a diverse and inclusive workplace that represents the cultural mosaic of the Durham Region and the communities we serve. We recognize the value that comes from the different viewpoints, unique experiences and diverse perspectives of our employees, who bring fresh, new ideas to our business. Diversity plays a key role in our ability to deliver our mission.

CDCD is strongly committed to diversity and inclusion within its community and encourages applications from Indigenous peoples, racialized persons/persons of colour, persons with disabilities, women, LGBTQ2S persons, and others who may contribute to fostering innovative ideas and solutions.

As an employer, CDCD has a duty to accommodate potential candidates throughout the hiring process in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.