Community Connection Worker

LUSO Community Services; London; On-site; CAD 34,000 - 36,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid winter shutdown

Job summary

LUSO Community Services is seeking a part-time Community Connections Worker to support newcomers in Northeast London and Argyle. The role focuses on connecting clients with resources, building networks, and delivering programs for children, youth, adults and families across diverse groups.

Responsibilities include creating group activities, facilitating language learning, fostering cultural exchange, and coordinating partnerships with local agencies.

Qualifications

• A degree/diploma in Social Service Work, Community Development, or related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Demonstrated experience with diverse newcomer children, youth, adults and families; 2–3 years minimum.
• Knowledge of settlement services and Canada newcomer integration process.
• Experience with program planning, facilitation, and event planning.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and verbal/written communication skills.
• Ability to build relationships with newcomers, professionals and community members.
• Fluency in English; additional languages are an asset.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Canva; database entry experience.
• Valid driver’s license and a reliable vehicle required.
• Vulnerable Population police screening, CPR/First Aid, and Safe Food Handling certification before starting.

Responsibilities

• Create group programs for children (4–14), youth (15–30), adults and families including diverse groups.
• Facilitate weekly activities to help newcomers develop skills and engage with the community.
• Organize events/trips to connect newcomer families and promote neighbourhood engagement.
• Lead community activities to connect newcomers with resources and local services.
• Facilitate informal English language activities outside formal class/workplace.
• Promote connections between Indigenous peoples, newcomers and Canadians through cultural activities.
• Collaborate with IRCC funded agencies, local organizations and businesses to link resources.
• Conduct outreach to promote activities and recruit participants.
• Gather information to ensure newcomer needs are met and report findings.
• Establish partnerships for ongoing programming opportunities.
• Support youth and adults to volunteer and develop life/interpersonal skills.
• Identify and run monthly workshops on topics such as financial literacy and pre-employment.
• Represent LUSO positively as part of the staff team and uphold organizational values.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Organization

Time management

Self-starter

Team collaboration

Fluency in English

Education

Degree in Social Service Work

Tools

Microsoft Office

Canva

Database entry

Job description

The Community Connections program provides diverse opportunities for newly arrived newcomer children, youth, adults and families to integrate successfully into their community.

The Community Connections Worker will support newcomers by helping them connect with community resources, build networks, and navigate their settlement journey. The role involves working with diverse groups, including children, youth, adults, and families to deliver programs, workshops and community engagement activities that facilitate integration into Canadian society.

POSITION DETAILS:

The position is part-time, 28 hours per week. Anticipated start date is late August (ideally week of August 24th).

The Community Connections Worker has to be available to work:

• Monday: 1:00–8:00 (once per month, must work split shift due to organizational staff meeting)

The successful candidate must have flexibility to work a Friday and/or Saturday if needed to achieve program outcomes.

NOTE: The successful candidate must have a vehicle available for work, as programming takes place in various community locations.

REPORTING:

The Community Connections Worker will report to the Community Connections Manager. This position will also work closely with other LUSO staff as well as service providers, partners and key stakeholders to provide ongoing support and services to adults in Northeast London and Argyle area.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Create group programs tailored to the needs of children (4-14), youth (15-30), adults and families including racialized newcomers, 2SLGBTQI+ and persons with disabilities
• Facilitate weekly activities to provide newcomer children, youth and adults with opportunities to develop skills, be engaged in their community and meet other newcomers
• Facilitate children, youth and family events/trips to connect newcomer families with other newcomer families and engagement in the neighbourhood
• Facilitate community activities that bring together groups of newcomers to explore local community, access resources, become engaged and increase an understanding of their community, local history and local services
• Facilitate informal language learning activities in English focused on improving skills related to English, outside of a formal classroom setting or workplace
• Facilitate meaningful connections to build a shared understanding and promote relationships between Indigenous peoples, newcomers and Canadians through cultural awareness activities/events and connection-based social activities
• Collaborate with local IRCC funded agencies, recreational organizations, social service organizations and the business community to connect newcomers to available resources
• Conduct outreach activities to promote activities & events and to recruit participants
• Gather information from neighbourhood families, and partnering organizations to be sure that the needs of newcomers are being met
• Establish partnerships and relationships with partners in the delivering ongoing programming opportunities
• Support newcomer youth and adults to volunteer and develop life skills and interpersonal skills
• Identify and provide monthly workshops related to newcomer adult needs, including financial literacy, pre-employment sessions, rights and responsibilities etc.
• Constructive participation as a member of the LUSO staff team by furthering collective team goals and representing the principles and values of LUSO Community Services in all interaction with others

Administrative Responsibilities:

• Maintain accurate records of client interactions and program participants using IRCC funded reporting systems
• Maintain accurate records of attendance and criteria of participation at all times
• Prepare reports and documentation as required by IRCC and agency guidelines
• Participate in team meetings, training sessions and professional development opportunities
• Prepare materials to promote programs
• Ensure appropriate and confidential handling of client information and files

KEY QUALIFICATIONS:

• A degree/diploma in Social Service Work, Community Development, or a related field, or equivalent work experience
• Demonstrated experience in working with diverse newcomer children, youth, adults and families; minimum 2-3 years
• Knowledge of settlement services, community resources, and the newcomer integration process in Canada
• Knowledge and experience with different community engagement strategies
• Experience in program planning, program facilitation and event planning
• Demonstrated leadership skills, strong organizational, and time management skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills as well as verbal and written communication skills
• Experience with report writing, maintaining statistics
• Capacity to build relationships with newcomers, community members, and professionals
• Proven ability to work with individuals of diverse and ethnic/cultural backgrounds
• Motivated, self-starter and able to work in a fast paced environment
• Capacity to work independently as well as within a multidisciplinary team
• Fluency in English is required; proficiency in an additional language commonly spoken by newcomers is an asset
• Proficiency with Microsoft office, email, database entry as well as programs such as Canva
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle on a daily basis is required as activities take place in various community locations and candidate has to transport materials
• Clearance through a Vulnerable populations police screening process. Must have before commencing employment
• Current CPR and First Aid certification - must have before commencing employment
• Safe Food Handling Certification - must have before commencing employment

SALARY:

$25.00–26.00/per hour

Additionally, LUSO offers:

• Paid winter shut-down between Christmas and New Years