Position Title:  Settlement Worker in School (SWIS), Family Support

Department:  SWIS

Program:  SWIS

Reports to:  SWIS Program Manager

Summary 

SWIS Workers are responsible for providing information, referral, and advocacy, supporting community development, and facilitating workshops and programs for eligible clients with children in School Districts 44 and 45. They provide cultural orientation and information about the local school system and support the integration of newcomers into the community by connecting newcomers to local schools and larger community resources. Family Support responsibilities encompass implementing tailored programming for parents/caregivers and children aged 9 through 12 and programming for parents/caregivers related to their children's kindergarten transition in the context of their immigration journey. This includes facilitating group workshops and developing curriculums for Middle Years and K-Grade 2 sessions. The position is responsible for helping to ensure that all organizational and funder deliverables and anticipated outcomes are achieved.

Key Responsibilities 

• Provides IRCC-eligible services, including information, orientation and referral to families on the telephone, via email, and in-person
• Conducts group information sessions and workshops, as per IRCC deliverables
• Implements one-to-one sessions and group family support programming, including training and supervising short-term facilitators
• Assesses clients’ needs, strengths and assets; develops service/settlement plan and provides referrals to community resources
• Keeps informed of current resources, trends, needs, changes, and service gaps in the general community and specific client communities
• Develops partnerships with school staff and administration to connect with new immigrant parents and students effectively
• Provides youth settlement information and orientation sessions, outreach to agency staff and community organizations for purposes of participant recruitment
• Keeps informed of programs, services, and community resources available on the North Shore and refers newcomers based on their settlement needs
• Conducts group school information sessions and workshops for eligible clients
• Assists school staff and newcomer families to address issues and concerns
• Conducts in-depth assessment of multiple compounding barriers and identifies client service priorities
• Manages wrap-around supports, as needed, and according to client priorities in their settlement/service plan
• Provides in-depth motivational settlement information and guidance to parents, youth and families, as needed
• Provides basic information for mental health and trauma support, as needed
• Ensures the client has access to necessary service support, including school district resources
• Informs the Manager of SWIS Services, of any significant concerns/client issues promptly
• Collaborates with community partners and the school district, as requested by the Manager of SWIS Services to increase awareness of emerging newcomer needs and ensures cooperation between partners to ensure services meet the evolving settlement needs of newcomers
• Ensures all required service data is correctly entered into Impact North Shore and government databases
• Swiftly responds to queries regarding service data quality
• Ensures all necessary administrative tasks related to service are completed, ensuring all privacy and confidentiality requirements are met
• Performs other duties as assigned by the SWIS Program Manager

Key Competencies

• Values. Behaves consistently with clear personal values that complement Impact North Shore’s values of excellence, diversity, and respect.
• Integrity & Ethics. Ensures integrity in personal and organizational practices. Builds a respectful and client-centered workplace.
• Innovation. Thinks creatively; is open to new ideas and technologies. Is committed to developing effective and new approaches to service excellence. Is flexible and adaptable to meeting changing demands of clients, funders, and other stakeholders.
• Accountability. Accepts and creates a culture of accountability; fosters personal growth; takes personal ownership. Is self-aware and demonstrates a commitment to ongoing learning and continual improvement. Assesses risk and develops risk mitigation strategies.
• Engagement. Shows a passion for the job and the mission of Impact North Shore.
• Effective Communication. Fosters open communication listens to others, speaks effectively, and prepares written communication so that messages are clearly understood.
• Organized & Efficient. Plans ahead and works in a systematic and organized way. Follows directions and procedures and ensures deliverables are met on time and according to agreed standards.

Minimum Qualifications

• 2 years of experience in a direct client service role, preferably with immigrants and an understanding of the immigrant and refugee experience, and settlement-integration stages/process, and that related to Middle Years and K-Grade 2
• Bachelor's degree in Community Development, Humanities, Childhood Development, Counselling or High School completion with a diploma or certificate in Community Development, Humanities, Childhood Development or Counselling and/or relevant experience
• Knowledge of Canadian legal, political, cultural, employment, educational, and economic systems
• Knowledge of general and culturally specific community resources and services on the North Shore
• Familiarity with immigrant youth barriers, diversity, issues related to discrimination and youth-related community resources and supports
• Experienced in establishing professional boundaries with clients
• Sensible and sound judgement
• Ability to work in a team environment, as well as a capacity to self-motivate and work independently
• Strong administrative and client service skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and excellent communication and organizational skills
• Sensitivity to diverse cultural values and individual experiences
• Ability to work a flexible schedule to support service delivery needs during the daytime and evening hours, as needed.
• Ability to speak, read, and write in fluent English and language of service – Farsi

We strongly encourage applications from IBPOC, LGBTQ2S+ people, im/migrants, and other marginalized communities.

Additional Information

• Salary Range: $25.00 - $27.00 per hour, depending on the experience
• Work Schedule: 35 hours/week (schedule may vary)
• Contract end date: March 31, 2025
• Work Environment: This is a hybrid position that requires regular weekly on-site attendance, with some flexibility for remote work.