Newcomer Settlement and Orientation Counsellor

September 16, 2025•4 min read

Newcomer Settlement and Orientation Counsellor

Job description:

Position Description:

Hamilton Urban Core is a thriving inner city health Centre and a leader in the provision of high- quality primary health services and health promotion programs. Our comprehensive health services are delivered through a dynamic team of multidisciplinary, inter-professional health providers. As an inner-city health Centre our client populations include individuals and families with chronic and complex health and social conditions, many of which are living in poverty.

The Newcomer Settlement and Orientation Counsellor provides services and supports to marginalized immigrant and refugee individuals and families in the community to assist them with their settlement, career, health and health related issues. This may include one-on-one individual services, group activities or programs, outreach to newcomer communities and linkages to mainstream service systems.

Key Requirements:

Conduct comprehensive assessments to determine service needs for marginalized newcomer individuals/families and develop needs-based settlement plans (including health as a settlement issue).
Perform general mental health assessments or facilitate referrals to appropriate mental health resources.
Monitor and assess general settlement and health needs of newcomer groups and communities, identifying emerging trends.
Plan and implement skill development, education, and health-related activities based on identified needs, including establishing terms of reference and identifying priority populations.
Engage in health interventions to support healthy settlement for marginalized newcomers.
Collaborate with newcomer community members to identify community issues and develop, monitor, and evaluate strategies and programs.
Connect individuals to communities and facilitate cross-community networks for marginalized newcomers.
Organize volunteer opportunities within the Centre and with partner agencies to help newcomers gain Canadian job experience.
Organize bi-annual knowledge exchange opportunities for newcomers and facilitate community engagement for employment/self-employment.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date client records, data, and information in line with Centre policies.
Prepare required reports and maintain all recording systems.
Participate in activity evaluation and recommend continuous improvements.
Contribute to the review of internal strengths and weaknesses of the health settlement service project, model, and related services.
Plan and engage in outreach activities to increase awareness and access for newcomer groups.
Participate in continuing education of staff and volunteers regarding newcomer issues, needs, and service gaps.
Commit to professional competence through ongoing education (e.g., peer interaction, literature review, conferences).
Participate in Centre-wide activities (e.g., AGM, client-centered events, special events).
Adhere to an anti-racism, anti-oppression, culturally sensitive, and language appropriate framework.
Maintain strict client confidentiality.

Performance Targets:

The approximate number of clients served will be 10 to 14 per day based on an average 7.5-hour workday for a 1.0 full-time Health Settlement Counsellor position. The average appointment length will be 30 minutes with the exception of instances where a cultural interpreter is engaged or when advocacy and/or procedures require more time.

Qualifications:

Registered Social Worker (RSW) or bachelor’s in social work (BSW) a strong asset
Demonstrated experience working with marginalized individuals and communities, particularly newcomer / immigrant communities and racialized groups
Relevant education and related work experience. Knowledge and understanding of community service sector and community health Centre
Experience working with clients to conduct a comprehensive assessment to determine service needs and developing needs-based settlement plans that include health as a settlement issue.
Solid experience with presentations, group assessment and group facilitation
Knowledge of the immigrant services sector. Working knowledge of the immigrant settlement process and of issues impacting immigrant and refugee communities in the Hamilton region
Demonstrated experience in providing a range of mental wellness supports and services for marginalized newcomers
Working knowledge of a wide variety of community resources
Demonstrated experience in developing and conducting outreach activities
Excellent communication, problem solving and record keeping skills. Proficiency in the use of computers in the work environment
Ability to work effectively as a member of a multidisciplinary, inter-professional team
Flexible, able to work evenings and/or weekends as required
Awareness of Hamilton Urban Core’s commitment to health equity, anti-racism and anti-oppression principles
Demonstrated experience in developing and conducting outreach activities.
Excellent communication, problem solving and record keeping skills. Proficiency in the use of computers in the work environment
Ability to work effectively as a member of a multidisciplinary, inter-professional team.
Flexible, able to work evenings and/or weekends as required.
Proficient in English and at least one of the following languages: Somali, Swahili, Ukrainian, Hindi, Devanagari, Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, Dari, Pashto, Arabic, Assyrian, Armenian, Kurdish and Syriac.
Awareness of Hamilton Urban Core’s commitment to health equity, anti-racism and anti- oppression principles