Job title: Settlement Counsellor
Company: YMCA of Greater Saint John
Job description: The YMCA of Greater Saint John is working hard to address the region’s critical issues: the health crisis, population decline, youth outmigration, and child poverty. At the Y, we are striving to build a diverse and inclusive community where each person is valued for the unique perspectives and contributions they bring.
The Y offers a diverse set of programs at 19 locations in the city and surrounding municipalities. We are a community of over 350 employees and 750 volunteers. If you don’t have a Y story yet – now is your opportunity to get involved. We invite you to come to see what the power of belonging can do for you, your career and your community.
Newcomer Connections is a crucial pillar within the YMCA family. Established in 1993, Y Newcomer Connections is a leading immigrant settlement centre focused on creating connections that will transform our community into a lasting, healthy home for immigrants from around the world and from all walks of life.
The Opportunity
The Settlement Counsellor is a cornerstone role that provides settlement assistance, practical guidance, and community referrals to newcomer clients at Newcomer Connections. The position provides information & orientation, needs assessments, and settlement planning to clients, particularly to those who encounter difficulty in adjusting to life in Canada and require assistance in resolving those difficulties. Evening and weekend work may be required on occasion. This position sits on the Newcomer Support Services Team and reports to Settlement Counsellor Team Lead and Settlement Supervisor.
Responsibilities
- Conduct needs assessments and develop customized settlement plans with clients who require assistance in adjusting to life in Canada;
- Manage on-going client cases through scheduled meetings and follow-up appointments;
- Connect newcomers with relevant services and opportunities available to them in the community;
- Arrange appointments for newcomer clients as required and ensure clients are provided with the necessary information and resources to attend the appointment;
- Liaise with government agencies, health care practitioners, post-secondary education institutions, businesses, and non-profit organizations on behalf of clients as required;
- Report all client-related activity to the Data Entry Clerk on an ongoing basis;
- Maintain frequent, accurate data entry in CRM and other reporting tools;
- Assist the Settlement Trainer with the development and delivery of information and orientation session (I&O’s) to individuals and groups, as required;
- Assist with client intake as required;
- Actively collaborate with all service teams and staff to ensure that the needs of clients are being fully addressed and the goals of clients are being recognized and pursued;
- Attend public speaking engagements and community events as required in order to help raise awareness about the work of Newcomer Connections and the clientele that it serves;
- Foster relationships with community groups and organizations who are looking to build relationships with, and supports for, newcomers to Saint John;
- Participate on relevant local, regional and national committees;
- Complete quarterly reports;
- Complete monthly expenses;
- Attend staff meetings;
- Perform duties as assigned by the Manager, Newcomer Support Services and/or the General Manager of Newcomer and Community Connections.
Skills and qualifications
- A Bachelor’s Degree, Community College diploma or similar from an accredited institution
- Approachable and possessing a strong client-centric attitude
- Heightened sensitivity to the needs of our immigrant community
- Exceptional ability to communicate in English with clients whose first language is not English
- A minimum of 3 years’ work experience in a cross-cultural environment
- Exceptional oral and written communication skills
- Exceptional organizational and inter-personal skills
- Ability to work flexible hours
- Must be fluent in the English language, knowledge of Ukrainian and/or Russian is an asset.
What We Offer:
- YMCA membership
- In – house training and professional development opportunities
- Uniform and uniform allowance
- Personal “Y Day”
- Competitive compensation package, including benefits and pension plan
- Opportunities for career growth
- Opportunities for cross training across department
- Paid job related certifications (i.e. First aid/CPR)
Required
- Employment is contingent on having a clean Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Search.
We ask qualified applicants to submit their cover letter and resume. The YMCA of Greater Saint John appreciates the interest of all applicants; however, only those selected for interviews will be contacted.
Expected salary:
Location: Saint John, NB
Job date: Thu, 30 Nov 2023 07:27:42 GMT
