General Counsellor_North York Centre

This is a union position scheduled to work 21 hours per week.

DUTIES        

• Provide intake and assessment of needs, barriers and assets in the development of a settlement plan for all newcomer immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers.
• Through a Case Management service model, assist clients with information, referral, documentation, crisis intervention, follow-up and supportive counselling services.
• Organize and facilitate one-on-one and group orientation sessions on settlement related topics.
• Provide services in person and virtually.
• Refer clients to community & social service agencies for additional support.
• Advocate and promote the programs and services of the agency.
• Liaise with government, community groups, educational institutions and volunteers regarding services for clients.
• Keep administrative records of services and activities, prepare necessary reports and input data using COSTI and ICARE databases.
• Must be available to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends when needed.
• Perform other duties as required. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Social Service Worker Diploma or equivalent with relevant practicum experience. 
• Minimum of one (1) year experience in providing settlement counselling.
  • This includes: Assisting clients in identifying long and short-term goals and developing settlement plans for initial or post settlement needs.
  • Conducting and documenting needs assessments and addressing any of the following issues:

    • Immigration (PR expiry, work permit and others), basic needs (food, shelter, banking), employment, money and finances, childcare, housing (subsidy, Rent Bank),

      Crisis intervention (child abuse, women & elder abuse), Income support (OW, ODSP), Education (high school, LINC, ESL, post-secondary). 

  • Organizing and facilitating orientation sessions and support groups to address any of the following topics: 
    • Initial health needs e.g. finding a doctor
    • Financial issues e.g.  income supports, employment programs
    • Safety e.g. fraud prevention, fire prevention
    • Housing options, tenant rights

    • Other topics relevant to the clients served

       

• Thorough knowledge of settlement issues facing refugees, refugee claimants and new immigrants.
• Sensitive to the needs of asylum seekers and newcomers and aware of the social and economic trends of immigrants.
• Comprehensive knowledge of immigration policies and procedures
• Extensive experience in completing immigration and various government application forms
• Ability to communicate in Spanish is essential; additional languages would be considered an asset.  
• Demonstrated experience with virtual platforms (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, GoToMeetings)
• Strong customer service skills and demonstrated ability to liaise with community organizations.
• Experience in conducting various methods of outreach.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure of heavy caseload and deadlines.
• Sound knowledge of Internet, Email and MS Office in a Windows environment.
• Highly developed organizational skills, ability to multi-task and set priorities independently.
• Good written and oral communication skills in English is required.
• Required to provide a valid Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) Police check. The VSS must have been completed within the past 6 months.
• Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.