Vacancy Posting – Competition #2023-02-15-SWS-TFW

Posting date: February 15, 2023

Closing date: Ongoing posting until the position is filled

Position: Settlement Worker Specialist - Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) – part-time

Hours of work: 28 hours per week

Contract end date: March 31, 2024

Start date: As soon as possible

Location of work: 102-808 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC

Rate of Pay: $23.98 per hour (benefits after successful completion of probation period)

The Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria (ICA) helps immigrants and refugees meet their social, cultural, and economic goals. Comprised of dedicated staff and volunteers, ICA provides language instruction, support finding housing and employment and a range of other services. In addition, ICA is actively engaged in the community to strengthen connections between immigrants and those born in Canada. Through our work, we are building a strong, diverse, and vibrant community. ICA is a welcoming, passionate, and energetic organization that has been having a positive impact in the Greater Victoria region for more than 50 years.

Job description: Provide support, resources and services to enable TFWs to exercise their rights; liaising between TFWs and other members of the TFWs Migrant Worker Support Network (MWSN) to build a culture of trust while offering information, services and support to migrant workers; improving migrant workers’ experiences while working in Canada; and providing migrant workers with a trusted channel to bring forward any issues or allegations of wrongdoing or abuse. Develop and facilitate workshops/information sessions to increase TFWs awareness of their rights and to support employers in understanding and meeting program conditions and requirements. Knowledge in areas of federal and provincial programs and all aspects of career counselling, mentoring, facilitation, case management, coaching, unemployment and working with TFWs facing multiple barriers to employment. Serves all individuals, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA2+, and those with diverse abilities. Reports to the Immigrant and Refugee Services Manager and is provided support by the Employment Services Manager.

Qualifications

• Minimum diploma and/or undergraduate degree and professional courses on employment-related themes or combination of education, training, and experience, preferably in a career development, employment counselling, psychology, social services and/or BC Certified Career Development Probationer’s Certificate.
• At least two or more years direct or relevant experience working with TFW’s as a case manager/employment counsellor; developing and facilitating workshops to TFWs and employers; and working with TFWs to establish relationships with local employers and the community is preferred.
• Solid knowledge of BC’s Employment Standards Act, Human Rights Act, Canadian and Local Labour Market, Canadian workplace practices, job search strategies and techniques; knowledge of ethical practices in employment counselling and career development.
• Keen understanding of diversity issues to work with persons from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds on TFW-related issues.
• Two years’ work experience within social services, nonprofit and/or multicultural environment.
• Experience working with immigrants and refugees and understanding immigration issues.
• Proficiency in the predominant migrant workers’ language
• Indigenous cultural competencies and/or lived experience with Indigenous communities welcomed.
• Employment requires proof of vaccination status (minimum of two doses).

Key duties/responsibilities

• Establish a rapport and working relationship with TFWs.
• Determine TFW eligibility with regard to service and program criteria.
• Provide support to TFWs in understanding employment standards, human rights, the local labour market and assist TFWs in the use of resources and technology for job search activities.
• Deliver workshops/information sessions.
• Develop and facilitate workshop sessions:
  • related to TFWs such as: addressing workplace violations; negotiating with employers; assertiveness training; employee rights and responsibilities (in the community, at various ICA job sites, religious or faith-based centre or ethnic community associations) to increase TFWs knowledge of their rights; and
  • to support employers understand the program conditions and requirements, including understanding the labour market impact assessment.
• Provide one-on-one support to TFWs to navigate legal issues such as filing a complaint, mediation with employers, documentation translation and interpretation; and assist with access to legal consultants.
• Provide one-on-one immediate support for TFWs in need such as transportation or food security.
• Provide support for employers.
• Develop resource materials for TFWs and employers to better understand their rights and responsibilities.
• Secure translation or interpretation services for TFWs as needed.
• Liaise between TFWs and other members of the MWSN to build a culture of trust while offering information, services and support to TFWs.
• Improve TFWs experiences while working in Canada; and provide TFW’s with a trusted channel to bring forward any issues or allegations of wrongdoing or abuse.
• Conduct outreach to TFWs, employers and the community to promote program services.
• Provide employment counselling in individual appointments.
• Interview and assess TFWs for job readiness and service needs.
• Complete formal employment needs assessment, identifying and documenting individual employment strengths, needs and barriers to employment.
• Prioritize services and manages available funds and maximum averages.
• Provide ongoing follow-up support to clients establishing dates for regular contact based on individual client need, monitor client activity with service delivery partners.
• Maintain up to date TFW information in databases ensuring proper documentation of all communication with participant, ministry and service providers.
• Assist TFWs to develop and implement strategies that address their unique job search, career planning, skill enhancement and//or employment maintenance issues.
• Coach TFW’s in the development of tools and strategies required for an effective job search assisting with resume, cover letter and related key job search documents.
• Participate in training opportunities to stay current on issues impacting ICA’s clients.
• Participate in regular team and organization-wide staff meetings.
• Follows all ICA policies and administrative procedures.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Submit a cover letter and current resume (in pdf. format), noting relevant qualifications, experience, language proficiency and vaccination status to the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria, Attention: Manager of People and Culture, via email to . This is an ongoing posting until the position is filled. Please quote Competition #2023-02-15-SWS-TFW in the subject line.

Please note:  This is a unionized position subject to the terms and conditions of our Collective Agreement and of our funding agreements with various funders.  As per the Collective Agreement, internal applicants will be given consideration with respect to filling the position prior to external candidates being hired.  This position is open to applicants of all genders.  This position requires union membership.  Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.