Settlement Counsellor

YWCA Hamilton; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

YWCA Hamilton seeks a Settlement Worker to provide holistic support for immigrant and newcomer women, non-binary, and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals. This role involves conducting needs assessments, facilitating workshops, and assisting clients in navigating social services to enhance their successful integration into the community. Candidates should have relevant educational credentials and strong communication skills.

Benefits

On-the-job training and professional development opportunities

Childcare discounts

Opportunities to get involved in our community

A competitive total rewards package

Qualifications

• Experience with newcomer & immigrant women, non-binary and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals.
• 3 years’ experience providing supportive counseling.
• Knowledge of community resources in the settlement sector.

Responsibilities

• Conducts needs assessments to identify newcomer settlement needs.
• Provides case management, counseling, and advocacy services.
• Facilitates group workshops on settlement issues.

Skills

Counseling

Advocacy

Community Outreach

Cultural Awareness

Communication

Education

2 years’ college in social work or human services

Emergency First Aid and CPR certificate

Job description

Who We Are

Founded in 1889, YWCA Hamilton is known as one of Hamilton’s original social innovators and works from a feminist, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive framework. We are dedicated to strengthening women’s and girl’s voices, broadening their choices, building dynamic leadership and providing essential services that promote safe, inclusive and equitable communities.

YWork for us?

At YWCA Hamilton , we are intentional about fostering a workplace culture that values positive physical and emotional well-being through our values of Intersectional Feminism, People Centred, Belonging, Responsibility, and Partnerships. We invest in our employees so that we can bring our values into the communities in which we live. We offer our employees:

• On-the-job training and professional development opportunities
• Childcare discounts
• Opportunities to get involved in our community
• A competitive total rewards package

If you’re passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of women, children, and families every day, we would love for you to join our team!

Position Description

Job Code: 10 -MSI-2025

Department: Immigrant & Settlement Services

Reports to: Program Supervisor

Location: Hamilton, ON

Hours of Work: 37.5 hours/week

Contract Start Date: TBD

Contract End Date: March 31, 2025

Posting Date: May 31 , 2025

Provide a comprehensive and holistic program designed for immigrant and newcomer women, non-binary and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals and their families, that addresses specific needs and offers information and supportive counselling for their successful integration into the local community. Provide support to newcomers to improve their opportunities to become independent citizens. Facilitate group workshops year-round that address a broad range of settlement topics including housing, childcare, transportation, education, and social and health services.

· Conducts needs assessments of clients to identify their settlement needs;

· Applies the knowledge of the issues in newcomers’ settlement to develop and implement effective support strategies;

· Provides case management services, counselling, referral, advocacy, and orientation services to newcomers;

· Develops action plans, monitors participant progress, and provides follow up planning and support & maintains confidential client files;

· Provides practical guidance to assist newcomers in coping with challenges of everyday living, e.g. housing, schooling, transportation, and access to social and health services, and be able to navigate the system;

· Communicates, advocates, and collaborates with community agencies (e.g. immigration services, legal services, housing, school boards, health services, tenant board) to provide resources and services to clients/residents;

· Provides interpretation services and assist with filling out forms; Provides information and referral services for participating clients to other programs and services in the community and government offices;

· Facilitates group workshops on pertinent settlement issues (e.g. life skills courses and orientation workshops);

· Involves resourceful individuals from different community services in group sessions;

· Conducts community outreach, identifying individuals and families needing services, and support to connect with community services;

· Works collaboratively with JOIN Program staff and external community partners to develop partnerships and programs that will enhance community-based programs and services for newcomers;

· Works in partnership with JOIN staff and community members in coordinating large and small community meetings, events, and festivals;

· Implements appropriate program guidelines and procedures/templates for the program to ensure consistency and excellence;

· Maintains professional recordkeeping standards in a system for reports and statistics on client interactions;

· Maintains accurate records/statistics and evaluation information related to the activities undertaken/outcomes achieved;

· Maintain a high level of confidentiality when working with the sensitive and personal client, employee, and contract information;

· Collects newcomer client feedback (e.g. surveys, workshop evaluations, etc.) to track outcomes of settlement services;

· Provides program reports to Manager as required;

· Understands and incorporates emerging trends, leading practices, industry professional standards;

· Supports YWCA Hamilton’s mission, vision, and values;

· Performs other duties as required.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

· 19.5 hours/week;

· Occasional evening and weekend work is required.

Qualifications

· Completion of 2 years’ college in social work or human services, or equivalent;

· Experience working with newcomer & immigrant women, non-binary and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals;

· 3 years’ experience providing supportive counselling to newcomers, refugees, and immigrants, and referring them to needed services;

· Strong knowledge and experience in group or workshop facilitation;

· Working knowledge of the Child and Family Services Act, Residential Tenancies Act, family law, local school boards and health centres, and immigration and citizenship requirements is an asset;

· Experience in cultural counselling and education;

· Effective at public relations and building relationships with community organizations and service providers;

· Excellent communication skills;

· Must be able to work from a feminist, anti-racist/anti-oppressive perspective;

· Extensive understanding of the newcomer experience including an awareness of diversity issues and an ability to work from a cross-cultural perspective;

· Ability to work a schedule which includes days, afternoons, weekdays, and/or occasional weekends; Must provide a current Vulnerable Sector Police check or willing to obtain at own cost;

· Must have current Emergency First Aid and CPR certificate or willing to obtain at own cost;

· Knowledge of community resources in the settlement sector;

· Excellent working knowledge of Somali language is required.

As part of YWCA Hamilton’s commitment to Access and Equity, we strive to represent the diverse communities that we serve. Individuals who are women, First Nations, Métis, immigrant, refugee, LGBTQ2S+; individuals with disabilities; and individuals from racialized communities or other marginalized communities are encouraged to apply.

Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process. Please inform us of any accommodation requests.

Please Note :Personal information collected during the recruitment process will only be used for employment opportunities only in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act. Only applications from individuals eligible to work in Canada will be considered.

Thank you for your interest in YWCA Hamilton. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.