Job Description

Job title:

Team Lead - Resettlement and Integration Support

Department:

Resettlement and Integration Services

Reports to:

Manager, Durham Humanitarian Response Project

Hours of work:

Rotating 8-hour shift schedule between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.

Job purpose

The Team Lead - Resettlement and Integration Support will help coordinate and manage the day-to-day operations of DHRP activities and assist with implementing the program objectives and action plans to meet the initiative's mandate and goals.


Using Trauma-informed and Gender-Equity approaches, the Team Lead - Resettlement and Integration Support will also be responsible for overseeing the client database, implementing standardized case management and needs assessment approaches across all the DHRP location sites, liaising with the Team Lead - Information and Program Engagement Support to identify, promote and offer workshops such as educational, employment and housing-related sessions to all clients in the program, ensuring referrals and follow up are completed in a timely manner. The incumbent will also be required to coordinate with DHRP Resettlement team members to offer mentorship and coaching. In addition to, organizing case conferencing to share information and resources and identifying and resolving complex issues that have been escalated by staff.


The incumbent will keep abreast of the workflow to identify issues, improve processes, and problem-solve with clients accessing resettlement services to ensure the highest level of service. The Team Lead will delegate to and monitor tasks assigned to their teams, backfill other Team Leads during their absence and assist the Manager with the on-call responsibilities over the weekend and evenings.

Company Overview

Community Development Council Durham (CDCD) is an independent, not-for-profit social planning organization that has been working to enhance the quality of life for individuals, families and communities in Durham for over 55 years. We organize a variety of research, community development and social planning initiatives as well as administer and deliver front-line social service programs. Please visit us at www.cdcd.org for more information.

Duties and responsibilities

Utilize a client-centered, anti-oppression, anti-racism, trauma-informed, and strength-based approach in partnership with the DHRP Manager to assist with the implementation of program objectives and action plans to meet the mandate and goals of the DHRP and CDCD's strategic plan. Coordinate and oversee the day-to-day operations of the Resettlement and Integration team within the framework of the DHRP program. Facilitate bi-weekly case conferencing with the Resettlement and Integration Support team. Ensure all necessary equipment in DHRP offices is readily available and fully functional. Oversee an assigned program location, strategize, problem-solve, minimize risks, and address issues that may emerge there, ensuring clients' and staff's safety and well-being at all times. Collaborate with the DHRP Manager to meet service delivery target numbers and utilize necessary tools and resources in a results-driven environment. Collaborate with the DHRP Manager and stakeholders to develop and implement strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing Resettlemt and Integration outcomes for newcomer families. Maintain data accuracy and integrity across all DHRP sites and ensure necessary tools and resources are available and utilized for effective operation in an outcome measurement environment. Provide leadership, guidance, and support to team members to ensure effective delivery of resettlement services to government-assisted refugees. Provide culturally-sensitive and trauma-informed support to newcomer families navigating the housing sector/market and adjusting to life in Canada. Maintain confidentiality and privacy protection for both landlords and tenants accessing the program. Oversee and conduct standardized resettlement intake and needs assessments. Develop strategies to address challenges faced by refugee families, including advocating for affordable housing options, transportation and employment supports, access to health services, etc Collaborate with community partners, Employment Agencies, Public Health, Libraries, landlords, and housing agencies to refer clients to their services and to ensure holistic support for refugee families. Work with the Team Lead - Information and Program Engagement Support to secure access to a broader range of services and information sessions on relevant topics that will aid in clients' resettlement and integration. Train and mentor team members on best practices in resettlement support, including resident rights and responsibilities as well as service navigation to make informed decisions about their life in Canada. Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of resettlement services, identify areas for improvement, and implement corrective measures as needed. Maintain accurate and up-to-date records ofclient intake, needs assessments, , client interactions, and program outcomes in compliance with program requirements. Stay informed about changes in the Settlement Sector policies, regulations, and resources relevant to government-assisted refugees and incorporate this knowledge into program delivery. Represent the organization at meetings, workshops, and community events related to housing support and resettlement. Foster a positive and inclusive team environment that values diversity, equity, and mutual respect among team members and clients. Direct, support, motivate, and coach staff professionally and effectively. Coordinate the onboarding process for new team members and participate in their orientation and training in collaboration with the Manager. Facilitate regular check-in and staff meetings with team members. Explore and recommend professional development opportunities and learning from peers, sharing best practices, discussing complex cases, and receiving feedback on approaches. Coach, guide, and develop staff for optimal performance, including monitoring staff accountability on time management, client service outcomes, target attainment, and overall program health. Backfill for Manager and other Team Leads in their absence. Participate in the design, implementation, and evaluation of the Durham Humanitarian Response Project to meet identified needs. Attend and support internal and/or external meetings and events as applicable. Promote a positive workplace culture through agency committee membership and departmental activities. Stay up-to-date with current developments in laws and policies in the social service sector and community development. Perform other duties as assigned.

Operational Management and Financial Administration

Coordinates the day-to-day operations of Durham Humanitarian Response Project housing activities to ensure that programs and services are efficient, locally relevant, and results driven. Assist the DHRP Manager with the on-call responsibilities over the weekend and evenings. Produce regular well-researched, data-based reports to assist the Manager DHRP in ensuring that program is well established to meet, and/or exceed, the expectations of the funders and other stakeholders. Assist/oversee the scheduling of program staff and contractors as well as coverage of services at the DHRP site where services are delivered. Coordinate programs at service locations and lead a team of front-line employees to achieve the program deliverables required under the funding agreement. Maintain positive working relationships with existing community partners/stakeholders. Ensure that the organization meets the service delivery requirements as stipulated by the funders. Lead, facilitate and perform administrative tasks relating to program, staff and organizational needs. Work collaboratively with the Manager to ensure expenses are within program budgets of the DHRP. Oversee processing of expense sheets for both program staff and contractors, secure approval from Manager, and subsequently submit for processing to the Finance team. Ensures staff access and utilization of all available resources to maximize efficiency in the provision of services to clients, including information and referral, assessment, and linkage/access to community services. Participate in the design, implementation and evaluation of the Durham Humanitarian Response Project to meet identified needs.

Staffing

Model effective team leadership to DHRP staff by fostering a welcoming work environment where everyone contributes to continuous innovation and improvement. Effectively and professionally provide functional supervision, direction, guidance, support, motivation and coaching of frontline staff. Coordinate on-boarding process for new team members and participate in their orientation and training. Promote a high functioning teamwork environment that is inclusive, harmonious, cooperative, creative and productive.

Perform front-line workers duties as needed

Conduct needs assessments of clients

Determine the needs of the clients and the support that is appropriate for each individual client.

Provide services, information and guidance

Provide client with appropriate services and information for immigrants, financial, social, education, recreational, etc., needs that ultimately encourage or hinder their settlement to Canada Provide client with information regarding their rights and obligations as a citizen, and provide access to information regarding housing, financial and general living services such as health and public transportation.

Provide referrals, crisis intervention and counselling

Provide client with adequate resources to aid in their transition, such as crisis intervention, referral services for counselling or referrals for translation services.

Conduct group orientation and presentations

Research and prepare for presentations to be conducted in a large group settling on topics such as settlement issues, etc.

Develop and maintain database and reporting

Maintain client database to allow for updated information to better assist client needs; prepare reports regarding services used and clients' interactions with the service as necessary. Perform other tasks as necessary, including the responsibility of ensuring that all activities comply with social and employment laws, such as the occupational health and safety act.

(Note: In depth counseling of a social or psychological nature is not to be provided but rather referrals made to appropriate professionals)

Core Competencies

Valuing Diversity and Social Justice

Supports and promotes an environment that holds opportunities for all, regardless of race, ancestry, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, family status, or disability; fosters a climate of inclusion where diverse thoughts are freely shared and integrated. Under social justice, all groups and individuals receive fair treatment and an equitable share of the benefits of society.

Culturally Sensitive

Recognizing, understanding, and applying attitudes and practices that are sensitive to and appropriate for people with diverse cultural socioeconomic and educational backgrounds, and persons of all ages, genders, health status, sexual orientations and abilities.

Advocacy

Interventions such as speaking, writing, or acting in favour of a particular issue or cause, policy, or group of people. In the social services sector, advocacy is assumed to be in the public interest, whereas lobbying by a special interest group may or may not be in the public interest. Advocacy often aims to enhance the quality of life for disadvantaged groups such as individuals recently immigrating to Canada, persons with disabilities, the LGBT community, etc.

Community Participation

Procedures whereby members of a community participate directly in decision-making about developments that affect the community. It covers a spectrum of activities ranging from passive involvement in community life to intensive action-oriented participation in community development (including political initiatives and strategies).

Job-Specific Competencies

Client Service Orientation

Focus on understanding and meeting customers needs, make extra effort to meet customer needs, and follow up on customer complaints/questions/requests.

Relationship Building and Partnering

Developing and maintaining positive relationships and partnerships. Builds relationships with clients by following through on commitments, respecting confidentiality, and demonstrating an interest in their specific challenges and needs.

Empathetic and Sensitive

Has a high degree of empathy and sensitivity to the needs of the clients, and ability to provide assistance to the clients with care and patience as necessary.

Interpersonal Understanding and Communication Skills

Desire/ability to understand others attitudes/interests/needs/feelings/nonverbal behavior, incorporating empathy, listening skills, and diagnostic understanding, understanding strengths/limitations of others. Communicates and interacts effectively with individuals and groups in the provision of professional services. Gives full attention to what other people are saying by being active listeners that value the opinions of their workers. Capable of using their communication skills to successfully gather the information that they need. They are also people who are trusted and can build relationships with others.

Presentation Skills

Effective in a variety of formal and informal presentation settings; commands attention and manages group process during the presentation; is cognizant of audience response and able to adapt content and style accordingly.

Ability to work in a team environment and independently

Has a strong capability to work in a team environment and support the separate functions that make a team, as well as work on individual tasks that support that overall program.

Community Knowledge

Ability to express vast knowledge of the Durham Community, as well as knowledge in social, government, and community services.

Qualifications and skills

A bachelor's degree in social work, Psychology, Social Services or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and/or experience. Minimum 3 years of experience with presentations, project management, and property management. Proficiency in a second language is an asset, as is lived experience in or with newcomer and asylum-seeking communities. Knowledge of and sensitivity to multicultural communities. Knowledge of gender-based violence, anti-oppression principles, and trauma-informed approaches. Understanding of the Resettlement intersection with other sectors and issues faced by at-risk and diverse populations. Knowledge of Durham region and surrounding areas, community resources is a strong asset. Demonstrated ability to work with large real estate entities and not-for-profit institutions. Experience working with the Durham Welcome Centre Immigrant Services is a definite asset. Demonstrated ability to work with and in not-for-profit environment. Experience in delivering programs in mentoring, employment, community partnerships, or resettlement services. Experience in delivering government-funded programs; Federal (IRCC) funded programs specifically is an asset. Ability to understand and work across a wide range of cultural and political contexts. Demonstrated ability to partner and work effectively with all levels of staff, housing providers, families, and external agencies. Ability to promote positive presentation strategies of advantages for landlords to want to host newcomers. Well-developed conflict resolution, mediation, and group problem-solving skills to work successfully with others to resolve contentious issues in a positive, ethical, and respectful manner within a diverse environment and with staff at all organizational levels. Strong planning, time-management, leadership, and organizational skills to manage and prioritize multiple projects and tasks in a fast-paced environment. Orientation to excellence that acknowledges and builds on the strengths of all stakeholders, including staff and our client population. Excellent critical thinking and analytical abilities with a strong focus on driving results. Excellent computer skills: Office 365 - MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and database. Ability to work independently and on a flexible schedule. Demonstrated experience in building and maintaining relationships with multiple stakeholders. Demonstrated ability in written and verbal communication in English. Current and up-to-date knowledge of social services and social laws. Demonstrated ability to understand, map, and improve workflow and processes. Experience working with the Durham Welcome Centre Immigrant Services is a definite asset. Demonstrated ability to understand, map, and improve workflow and processes. Ability to respond to stressful situations in a calm, collected, and professional manner. Proactive, resourceful, and ability to resolve complex client concerns. Extensive knowledge of community-based resources and government agencies for low-income people, including income through Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, Old Age Security. Non-violent crisis intervention (CPI), suicide intervention (ASIST), standard first aid, or commitment to securing those requirements within six months of being hired.

Additional Requirements

The Team Lead - Resettlement and Integration Support will need to be flexible regarding assigned work hours and location. Flexibility to work and/or be on call rotating 8-hour shifts between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. as needed. A valid Ontario driver's license (Class G), use of a vehicle and insurance with the ability to work in a variety of settings. The successful candidate must provide an acceptable Vulnerable Sector Screening prior to commencing employment.

APPLICATION PROCESS

:

Applicants are requested to submit their resume and a cover letter stating salary expectations while outlining their strengths, experience and aptitude to fulfill the position requirements.

Please submit applications to Team Lead, Resettlement and Integration Support at:

https://communitydevelopmentcouncildurha.easyapply.co

CDCD thanks all applicants for their interest; however, only those asked for additional information and/or selected for an interview will be contacted.

CDCD is committed to providing equal opportunity to all employees. We strive to create a diverse and inclusive workplace that represents the cultural mosaic of the Durham Region and the communities we serve. We recognize the value that comes from the different viewpoints, unique experiences and diverse perspectives of our employees, who bring fresh, new ideas to our business. Diversity plays a key role in our ability to deliver our mission.

CDCD is strongly committed to diversity and inclusion within its community and encourages applications from Indigenous peoples, racialized persons/persons of colour, persons with disabilities, women, LGBTQ2S persons, and others who may contribute to fostering innovative ideas and solutions.

As an employer, CDCD has a duty to accommodate potential candidates throughout the hiring process in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.