Career Opportunity at COSTI
General Counsellor - Asylum Seekers
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This is a non-union contract position scheduled to work 35 hours per week.
BE A PART OF A DYNAMIC AND DIVERSE ORGANIZATION AS A GENERAL COUNSELLOR FOR ITS’ NORTH YORK CENTER
- 2 Vacancies
Duties:
- Provide intake and assessment of needs, barriers and assets in the development of a settlement plan to asylum seekers and other newcomers.
- Through a Case Management service model, assist clients with information, referral, documentation, crisis intervention, follow-up and supportive counselling services.
- Organize and facilitate one-on-one and group orientation sessions to newcomers on settlement related topics.
- Provide services in person and virtually
- Refer clients to community & social service agencies for additional support.
- Advocate and promote the programs and services of the agency.
- Liaise with government, community groups, educational institutions and volunteers regarding services for clients.
- Keep administrative records of services and activities, prepare necessary reports and input data using COSTI’s database.
- Must be available to work at various COSTI locations, including Peel and York Regions, and flexible hours including evenings and weekends when needed
- Perform other duties as required.
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Qualifications:
- Social Service Worker Diploma or equivalent with relevant practicum experience.
- Minimum of one (1) year experience in providing settlement counselling.
- This includes
- Assisting clients in identifying long and short-term goals and developing settlement plans for initial or post settlement needs.
- Conducting needs assessments and delivering information/referral services to address any of the following issues:
- Immigration, basic needs (food, shelter, banking), employment, Money and finances, childcare, housing (subsidy) Crisis intervention (child abuse, women & elder abuse), Income support (OW), Education (high school, LINC, ESL, post-secondary).
- Organizing and facilitating orientation sessions and workshops to address any of the following topics:
- Refugee claim process
- Initial health needs e.g. finding a doctor;
- Financial issues e.g. income supports, employment programs
- Safety e.g. fraud prevention, fire prevention
- Housing options, tenant rights
- Other topics relevant to the clients served
- Proven experience in delivering services to asylum seekers that include work permit and COHB applications, access to OW and legal aid
- Thorough knowledge of settlement issues facing refugees and refugee claimants.
- Sensitive to the needs of asylum seekers and aware of the social and economic trends of immigrants.
- Experience in completing immigration and various government application forms
- Demonstrated experience organizing and facilitating orientation sessions.
- Preference will be given to those who can communicate in any of the following languages: Spanish, Farsi, Swahili, Luganda and/or Yoruba
- Ability to communicate in additional languages would be considered an asset.
- Demonstrated experience with virtual platforms (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, GoToMeetings)
- Strong customer service skills and demonstrated ability to liaise with community organizations.
- Experience in conducting various methods of outreach.
- Demonstrated ability to work under pressure of heavy caseload and deadlines.
- Sound knowledge of Internet, Email and MS Office in a Windows environment.
- Highly developed organizational skills, ability to multi-task and set priorities independently.
- Good written and oral communication skills in English is required.
- Required to provide a valid Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) Police check. The VSS must have been completed within the past 6 months.
- Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
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Location: |
North York Sheridan Mall, 1700 Wilson Avenue, Toronto |
Duration of Position: |
May 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024 |
Starting Salary Range: |
$53,796 to $56,399 per annum with benefits |
Posting Date: |
2024-04-08 |
Closing Date: |
2024-05-08 |
Notes: |
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Qualified candidates are invited to submit their resumes and cover letters as one file quoting reference #67-24 to the below link:
https://creg.costi.ca/ui/hr/resume.aspx?refno=67-24
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"We thank all applicants for their interest in COSTI. However, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone calls please."
COSTI encourages applications from individuals reflecting the diversity of our community. COSTI is committed to fair and accessible employment practices and when requested, will make reasonable effort to accommodate people with disabilities during the recruitment and assessment processes when filling positions.
