VWC_General Counsellor

This is a union position scheduled to work 35 hours per week.

DUTIES

• Provide intake and assessment of needs, barriers and assets in the development of a settlement plan for all newcomer immigrants, foreign-born citizens, 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.
• Work collaboratively within a multi-agency partnership model to build and maintain professional relationships that support shared goals
• Keep administrative records of services and activities, prepare necessary reports and input data using COSTI and Welcome Center databases.
• Set up and maintain client appointment calendar using the Welcome Centre Database
• 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 of 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.
• Demonstrated experience working in collaborative partnerships across diverse teams and organizations to achieve shared goals. Skilled in building and maintaining strong professional relationships.
• Experience in conducting various methods of outreach.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure of heavy caseload and deadlines.
• Sound knowledge of the Internet, Email and MS Office in a Windows environment.
• Highly developed organizational skills, ability to multitask and set priorities independently.
• Good written and oral communication skills in English are required.
• Required to provide a valid Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) Police check. The VSS must have been completed within the past 6 months.