(Rap) Resettlement Worker - Resettlement Assistance Program (Rap)

Program Summary

The Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) offers immediate and essential services to Government Assisted Refugees (GARs) that arrive in Chatham Kent, Ontario. The RAP’s services include temporary accommodation, income assistance, assistance in finding permanent accommodation, basic orientation, and links to settlement programming and federal and provincial programs to Government-Assisted Refugees (GARs) and other eligible clients who arrive in Canada following an overseas identification and selection process.

Job Purpose

The Resettlement Worker works with newly arrived GARS clients from arrival to identify and prioritize their immediate settlement needs, assist them in accessing services and resources, and help them to settle in their new environment.

As part of the RAP Team, the RAP Worker is responsible for ensuring that all direct services are provided to clients while they are in temporary housing and for related case management work. The RAP Worker provides front-line services such as referral, advocacy, research, translation, and interpretation to recently arrived refugees. The role also includes identifying client needs and developing and implementing appropriate action plans and programs to support them. The RAP Worker will encourage and promote superior client service by organizing and facilitating meetings, information sessions, and workshops with individuals and groups. The position also includes the responsibility to gather relevant data and feedback needed to evaluate and improve ALL’s services and improve its capacity to deliver efficient and effective services.

Job Duties

This Job Profile describes the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position. Employees may perform other duties and tasks as required to meet the needs of the operation. The responsibilities listed within the job profile are only guidelines.

Associated Tasks:

• Coordinate effective airport reception services and is present for newcomer arrivals.
• Accompany clients to temporary accommodation and provide required initial hotel orientation.
• Develop and deliver required Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) life skills orientation sessions.
• Conduct needs assessments to obtain case history and provide referrals that respond to the immediate needs of clients.
• Provide appropriate and relevant information and referral services on community and government programs and services such as medical services, mental health supports, housing, transportation, financial services, etc., and accompany clients if required.
• Provide support and information for clients experiencing personal and/or family issues.
• Provide or arrange for interpretation for clients when accessing community services.
• Assist with permanent accommodation search, completing lease agreements, and obtaining furniture.
• Liaise, advocate, and case consult with other social service organizations and service providers.
• Assists in applying to Canada Child Benefits and other government applications and forms.
• Provide crisis intervention as required, e.g., in cases of family violence.
• Conducts financial orientation, informing clients about income support and their financial responsibilities to ensure that they understand the basics of the Canadian banking and financial systems and the key entitlements and obligations of their income support budget.
• Available to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Respond to telephone, in-person or electronic inquiries or forward them to the appropriate person.
• Create, edit, proofread, and finalize office correspondence, reports, statements, forms, presentations, and other documents using Microsoft applications.
• Prepare and file client intake forms; keep counselling notes and records; update client files and/or client database; record additional information as specified (monthly statistics, iCARE, etc.)
• Attend regular RAP team meetings and other staff meetings as required.
• Provide necessary statistics and information as requested and in a timely manner.
• Participate in RAP program-related training opportunities.
• Comply with ALL’s vision, values, policies, and procedures.
• Provide services in a supportive and culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate manner
• Collaborate with various community partners in support of RAP programming.
• Attend professional development workshops and training.
• Other duties relevant to the position shall be assigned as required.

Competencies

· Communication – Communicates in a thorough, clear and timely manner; Listens attentively to comprehend both the factual content of a message and the feeling being expressed

· Cultural Sensitivity - Promotes an inclusive environment exemplified by understanding all cultural groups.

· Decision Making – Responds to work responsibilities and situations by making decisions that are common practice and expected of the position.

· Fiscal/Risk Management – Understands the importance of fiscal/risk exposure. Complies with policies and ensures compliance safety guidelines.

· Organization - Able to create or maintain processes to ensure all relevant information or tools are easily accessible.

· Problem Solving – Identifies an issue and works towards a solution; Manages own time in order to concentrate efforts on priority projects.

· Teamwork - Participates proactively in the development of team goals, plans and outcomes

· Time Management - Balances a myriad of tasks; prioritizes duties as needed.

· Commitment to Organization Vision and Values – Demonstrates and promotes a personal understanding of and appreciation for the Mission and values of Adult Language and Learning.

Job Requirements

· Post-secondary Degree, Diploma, or Certificate of Qualification in a related discipline

· Experience working with immigrants, refugees, and other vulnerable individuals from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds is strongly desired.

· Settlement Counseling and solution-based counseling background in preferred.

· Knowledge of community resources is an asset.

· Perform language interpretation and/or collaborate effectively with an interpreter.

· Demonstrate the ability to design and deliver orientation workshops.

· Time and resource management skills

· Effective interpersonal and intercultural communication techniques

· Identify and refer appropriately to ALL programs and community services and resources.

· Understand the basics of the Canadian legal system, laws, and public policy.

· Understand and respond to client reactions to resettlement transition and challenges.

· Effectively and accurately manage client caseload, client data, and document client progress.

· Proficient in Microsoft and Adobe Reader (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PDF, etc.)

· Proficiency in using online digital platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or Google Meet; required to provide virtual/remote service

· Proficiency in English

· Fluency in an additional language is an asset

· Ability to work individually as well as part of a team

· Must provide a current Criminal Record Check as per the ALL’s policy

· A valid driver's license and a vehicle are required

Work Conditions

• Office environment with moderate exposure to public speaking and training facilitation. Some driving between sites and some off-site work may be necessary.
• Moderate physical requirements to stand and facilitate sessions, bending and lifting to set up programs, manual dexterity, and light to normal physical activities such as keyboarding, filing, climbing stairs, carrying, and lifting low-weight items.
• Continuously upgrades and maintains knowledge of changing Immigration Legislation, trends, and developments in the ever-changing cultural environment
• Frequent cognitive requirements with periods of sustained concentration, client interaction, presentation, speaking to a group of individuals, emotional situations, decision-making and recommendations, and paperwork.
• Interaction with employees, management, employers, clients and the public at large

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Salary: From $25.70 per hour

Expected hours: 25 per week

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Dental care
• Disability insurance
• Employee ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• RRSP match
• Vision care

Flexible Language Requirement:

• French not required

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree (preferred)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 2024-03-15
Expected start date: 2024-03-25