Job Description
Position Title: Settlement Worker
Date Posted: Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Competition File No.: 2025-17
Program Area: Community Initiatives and Employment Services
Worksite Location: Owen Sound and throughout Grey and Bruce Counties
Travel Requirement: Yes
Position Type: Temporary Category: #4
Existing Vacancy: Yes No. of Vacancies: 1
Hours: 30 hours per week
Shifts: Monday to Friday
Salary/Wage: $26.70 – $30.36
Wages commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Start Date: As soon as possible.
End Date (if temporary): Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Application Deadline: Sunday, March 30, 2025
Application Process: Email resume, cover letter and YMCA Employment/Volunteer Application Form to: Manager of Settlement and Language Services at employment@osgb.ymca.ca. Include the Job Title and Competition File Number in your subject line. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
The Y is people-powered. Our staff and volunteers provide the spark that helps ignite positive change in the lives of others.
Your Opportunity to be the Spark!
As a charity igniting the potential in people, we are seeking a Settlement Worker to assist immigrant newcomers to Canada by providing essential settlement services, i.e. needs assessments, information, orientation, referral, interpretation, translation, advocacy and solution-focused counselling, in order to maximize the potential for successful integration into Canadian life and society. This position also helps new Canadians in the continuing process of becoming fully engaged and productive citizens.
Responsibilities:
- Determine eligibility for services and conduct initial assessments to identify needs and obstacles to success; for non-eligible newcomers, referral to the appropriate organization or service.
- Counsel clients experiencing problems adjusting to life in Canada; identify needs and the resources required.
- Assist newcomers in setting realistic goals, priorities and development of action plans through solution focused settlement plans.
- Implement accepted settlement counselling practices and procedures including accurate documentation, continuous assessment, file maintenance and follow-up.
- Refer newcomers to appropriate internal and external programs and resources, such as language training, employment, education, health care, legal, recreation, etc.
- Advocate on client’s behalf, when appropriate, with agencies, organizations and institutions.
- Ensure that clients requiring language assessment are connected with an Assessment Centre as soon as possible.
- Facilitate group orientation sessions and information sessions for newcomers and the public.
- Assist with exploration, research and development of workshops and programs that address identified client needs.
- Provide co-workers and community colleagues with an understanding of the ethno-cultural diversity and background of the client groups receiving program services.
- Provide for or facilitate interpretation and/or translation, related to essential or immediate client settlement needs.
- Maintain effective communication and collaboration with all staff and other service providers.
- Ensure that an orderly set of files is maintained and that all required forms/paperwork are included and meet required standards.
- Ensure that all reports and submissions are in by the required date.
- Actively participate as a member of various related committees and provide leadership to newcomer programming strategies specific to the community with an emphasis on expanding client base.
- Maintain and expand client base through outreach, which includes community visits, developing outreach materials and promoting community networks.
- Make presentations to other groups within the community on the services provided.
- Identify other opportunities for outreach, specific to the geographical area covered, and develop and implement strategies to take advantage of those opportunities.
- Report any and all program issues and concerns and recommend changes in policies/procedures to the program Manager.
- Contribute to an overall cooperative team approach within the Association.
- Ensure that personal expertise and knowledge are kept current, applicable to changes in program direction, and relevant to the responsibilities of the position.
- Participate in all prescribed training, including but not limited to Child Safety and Protection Training.
- Ensure the positive promotion of the Association, its programs, and the image of the people we serve, and participate in marketing and promotional activities.
Just Some of the Benefits of Working at the YMCA:
- Comprehensive and ongoing training and long-term and upward career opportunities.
- Free membership to our Health, Fitness and Aquatics facility.
- Flexible work schedules.
- Fun, passionate and dependable co-workers.
Job Requirements:
- Be a minimum of 18 years of age.
- Be legally entitled to work in Canada.
- Have current and satisfactory Criminal Reference Check and Vulnerable Sector Search issued no later than ninety (90) days preceding your start date.
- Have minimum Class G Driver’s License; own vehicle and be willing and able to travel throughout Grey and Bruce Counties.
- Provide 3 professional references.
- Have knowledge and/or experience in Settlement Services and/or government funded community programs e.g. Ontario Works, Legal Aid, Child and Family Services, etc.
- Have a post-secondary degree or diploma in a related Human Services, Counselling or Education discipline.
- Have proficiency in Microsoft Office, virtual classrooms and digital platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet, etc.
- Have experience working with diverse populations and working in cross-cultural environments; delivering direct service to newcomers is considered an asset.
- Have comfort level and ability to communicate in group situations.
- Have ability to research and interpret complex documentation and applications.
- Have fluency in at least one additional common newcomer language (an asset).
The YMCA’s Commitment to Protecting Those We Serve:
We are committed to our responsibility to protect the children and other vulnerable people we serve. Therefore, all employees and volunteers must provide a current satisfactory Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search results as a condition of their employment or volunteer engagement. These police record checks are reviewed on an individual basis, and the offense(s) – if any – is considered in the decision-making process in relation to the requirements of the position, therefore not eliminating all candidates with a record from being offered gainful employment.
The YMCA’s Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion and Equality:
The YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce values the diversity of people and communities and is committed to excellence and inclusion in our Association. We are committed to an environment that is barrier free. If you require accommodation during the hiring process, please inform us in advance to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation.
