Summary

The Refugee Child and Youth Counsellor works as part of at team to provide coordinated settlement and integration services and supports to newly arrived government‐assisted sponsored children and youth using a multidisciplinary, case‐management approach. This position bridges the gap between the school and newcomer families, promoting student achievement and facilitating easier integration into the school community.

Description

Responsibilities:

  • Conduct needs assessments to determine short and long-term settlement needs and goals. Collaborate with students, families, and school staff to develop individualized settlement plans to address these needs.
  • Liaise with school boards and teachers to ease the transition of refugees into the school system; promote family engagement in the school community by facilitating communication between school staff and parents/guardians.
  • Provide individualized support to newcomer students to enhance their academic and social integration into the school environment. 
  • Conduct periodic home visits to monitor, follow up and evaluate the progress of refugee children and youth.
  • Refer, direct and accompany families to internal and external resources and programs as needed.
  • Plan and deliver group educational workshops and information sessions on various topics of need.
  • Organize and facilitate field trips and recreational activities for children and youth.
  • Advocate on behalf of clients, with government, external organizations, public systems, and the broader community.  
  • Enhance family awareness of community-based educational and recreational resources.
  • Maintain accurate and confidential case files, documenting all client interactions, interventions, and progress.  
  • Participate in professional development training, team meetings, as well as meetings in the community, when required. 
  • Provide input into program development as requested.
  • Complete other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Qualifications

  • Post-secondary education in the Social Services field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Preference to graduates of Social Work, Health Sciences, Recreation, and/or Youth Development.
  • Minimum two years of practical experience working with newcomer families.
  • Knowledge of the settlement and integration process and a working knowledge of challenges faced by refugees new to Canada.
  • Able to build relationships and maintain positive healthy rapport with clients, partners and co-workers.
  • Familiarity with community youth programs and general government services, ability to conduct outreach and partner with community and settlement services.
  • Ability to facilitate workshops and group sessions.
  • Ability to demonstrate commitment to respond to clients’ requests and needs in a timely manner.
  • Ability to thrive in a fast paced, multidisciplinary, culturally diverse workplace.
  • Able to perform duties independently and with minimal supervision.
  • Strong computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Fluency in oral and written English is required.
  • Fluency in Somali, Swahili or Kinyarwanda is considered a strong asset.
  • Available to work irregular hours including evenings and weekends
  • Driver’s license and access to a vehicle for work purposes is a strong asset.

To Apply:

Interested qualified candidates with the above criteria are encouraged to e-mail their resume to ncyc@ccisab. ca by July 4th 2025, 4:00pm.

Please specify : "Application Refugee Child and Youth Counsellor -Full Time/ Temporaryr" on your e-mail subject.

This position is subject to eligibility to work in Canada and a Criminal Record Check.

CCIS thanks all applicants, however, only those selected to compete further for this position will be contacted.

Additional Information

CCIS – Who We Are

CCIS (Calgary Catholic Immigration Society) is a nonprofit organization that provides settlement and integration services to all immigrants and refugees in Southern Alberta. Since our inception in 1981, we have been a community leader with solid experience in the design and delivery of comprehensive services for our newest neighbours. We deliver these services through a dynamic multi-cultural, multi-denominational and multi-disciplinary team of professionals who collectively speak over 60 languages.

From airport reception to a first job interview, CCIS’s programs and services have been designed to assist immigrants and refugees through all phases of the settlement and integration process. CCIS is committed to welcoming and serving newcomers of all races, ethnic and national origins, cultural backgrounds and religions, sexual orientations and gender identities and expressions.

CCIS – Resettlement and Integration Services (RIS) Division

CCIS Resettlement & Integration Services (RIS) division provides support services that enable Government Assisted Refugees (GARs) to transition to a new life in Calgary. RIS also offers several programs specific to refugee children and youth. RIS programs are designed to assist in developing the independence of our clients, build capacity within the family structure and enhance our clients’ economic success. Our team of multicultural Counsellors supplies settlement assistance in over 90 languages.