Newcomer Youth Settlement Worker

POSITION TITLE: Newcomer Youth Settlement Worker

PROGRAM: Immigrant, Refugee, Settlement (IRS) Hub

COMPANY: Skills for Change

LOCATION: 791 St. Clair Ave West, Toronto ON

CONTRACT TYPE: Contract (Union)

HOURS: 35 hours per week (Monday-Friday with occasional evening and/or weekend hours)

PAY RATE: $22.50 base

REPORTS TO: Senior Manager, Newcomer Services

START DATE: As soon as possible

END DATE: March 29, 2025

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITY:

With 40+ years of operations, Skills for Change is a highly respected non-profit charity with a province-wide reputation for pioneering programs that respond to shifting immigration and workplace trends and lead to employment. Skills for Change provides multi-sited employment, job skills, career exploration through mentoring and entrepreneurship, job development, mental health and wellness, language and settlement programs, and services throughout the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Areas.

PROGRAM NATURE AND SCOPE:

The support and needs of newcomers are constantly changing. As Skills for Change continues to support newcomers and meet their evolving needs, it is imperative that we build upon innovative ways to serve them. The role of the Newcomer Youth Settlement Worker is to provide high-quality and responsive services to support newcomer youth (ages 16-29) successfully adjusting, integrating socially and economically into the Canadian environment, and becoming self-sufficient. The Newcomer Youth Settlement Worker will be responsible for conducting outreach to recruit youth, identify their needs and priorities, and develop, implement, and facilitate regular youth engagement programs to support skill acquisition, integration, and settlement.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

● Initiate, design, develop, implement, facilitate, and monitor regular youth engagement programs, including settlement information/orientation sessions, online and in-person group-based education and social recreational activities, field trips and newcomer leadership development, as appropriate.

● Conduct individual and/or group counseling and conduct a thorough needs assessment to develop settlement action plans.

● Maintain up-to-date knowledge regarding issues and trends related to settlement for newcomer youth, and community resources and initiatives, especially related to settlement, drug prevention/use, housing, social assistance, employment, education, healthy sexuality, and recreation.

● Provide clients with information on relevant internal and external settlement services and resources in the community.

● Develop and implement an outreach plan that targets immigrant and refugee youth in Toronto.

● Engage various stakeholders such as schools, community organizations, and other public spaces serving newcomer youth to recruit eligible newcomer youth to access programs and supports.

● Sustain and increase client base through outreach and program promotion with other organizations and networks by developing and distributing program materials online and in-person in the catchment area to recruit volunteers and to promote public awareness of the program and the settlement issues faced by youth.

● Plan, organize, and implement community involvement initiatives to raise awareness about youth in conjunction with other community organizations.

● Liaise with other SfC program staff on an ongoing basis to support and monitor client progress delivering smooth coordination of services between SfC programs.

● Develop and monitor peer mentoring relationships between newcomer youth and their mentors

● Work collaboratively with colleagues to engage youth for the youth foru,

● Co-develop a youth advisory board with other youth serving programs in the organization

● Assists in the planning and execution of the youth forum

● Establish and maintain relationships with local school boards, community, and youth service providers.

● Case management of program clients, follow-up with client status, and update files.

● Maintain client case management files, update client information on Salesforce, Google Docs, and iCARE. Follow up with clients at regular intervals as mandated or required.

● Maintain accurate records and statistics related to the activities undertaken and outcomes achieved and prepare monthly reports

● Track, produce, and report all statistical reports as required by the program. Develop and update information materials such as application/referral forms, attendance lists, and presentations.

● Participate in the development, distribution, collection, collation, and analysis of participant surveys and other evaluation methodologies.

● Participate in networking sessions and special events to raise the Agency's profile.

● Participate in all meetings as required.

● Maintain positive professional relationships and communication links with the public and other relevant community resources.

● Provide front desk reception coverage as needed.

● Additional duties as assigned by management.

SKILLS, EDUCATION & ATTRIBUTES:

● Completion of a college diploma or degree that includes work/training placements experience in Child and Youth Worker, Mental Health Services, Settlement Services, Community Services or a combination of relevant education and relevant work experience is mandatory for this role.

● Minimum 2-3 years of related work in front-line youth service, especially in youth counseling, youth leadership, or youth employment and engagement in a non-profit setting is mandatory.

● Prior experience in youth services and settlement services is required.

● Specific knowledge of newcomer, immigrant, and refugee youth and their respective needs and services.

● Solid understanding of and experience in planning for and facilitating programs specifically for newcomer youth, including modern and creative methodologies to both attract the youth of various communities and deliver effective programming.

● Experience providing youth services such as individual support, group work, helping volunteers, and program promotion.

● Experience working with youth, sensitivity, and knowledge in dealing with youth from diverse cultural and racial backgrounds and youth with special is mandatory.

● Knowledge of and experience working within an Anti-Black Racism, Anti-racism, and anti-oppression framework.

● Must have experience and an exceptional understanding of the cultural and social background of immigrant youth and families; knowledge of programs and services for immigrant youth and their families, and government and community resources available to assist them in integration and adaptation to the new society.

● Oral and written fluency in English, as well as a second language relevant to the community we serve, is required to fill this role (including but not limited to Punjabi, Tagalog, French, Swahili, Arabic, Dari, Farsi, Mandarin, and other African, European, and South Asian languages).

● Valid Driver’s License, valid insurance coverage, and vehicle access is an asset.

● Current (within 6 months) Police Check and Vulnerable Sector Search must be provided before starting the role.

● Experience working in/knowledge of the community resources in GTA, and surrounding areas would be an asset.

● Problem-solving skills and resourcefulness in meeting clients’ support needs.

● Demonstrated ability to develop goals and service delivery plans with participants.

● Excellent organizational skills, and ability to multi-task while maintaining a high level of accuracy.

● Excellent verbal, and written communication, and customer service skills.

● Proficiency in Microsoft and Google Suites.

● Proficiency in Salesforce and iCARE would be an asset.

● Excellent teamwork and positive attitude towards change.

● Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

PLEASE SEND YOUR APPLICATION TO:

hr@skillsforchange.org

As part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion racial justice and reconciliation, Skills for Change encourages applications from those who identify as Black, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQ+, Racialized, and other under-represented communities. Skills for Change offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in each stage of the hiring process. If you are contacted regarding a job opportunity, please advise if you require accommodation. This document is available in an alternate format on request.

We thank all applicants for their interest in this position however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.