Community Connections Program Coordinator

Job Description:

Community Connections Program Coordinator
(Maternity Leave Cover – Maximum 18-month Term)
Full-Time Term Position through March 31, 2025*
Salary: $23.14 per hour to start, 37.5 hours per week
Charlottetown, PE

*Renewable April 1st each year subject to program funding*

Immigrant & Refugee Services Association PEI (IRSA) acknowledges that Epekwitk (Prince Edward Island) is located in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People. The Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq have occupied this Island for over 12,000 years. We honour the “Treaties of Peace and Friendship” which recognized Mi’kmaq rights and established an ongoing relationship between nations. We are all Treaty People.

Immigrant & Refugee Services Association PEI (IRSA), a not-for-profit organization originally founded in 1993, is seeking a Community Connections Program Coordinator to join us on our mission of building a welcoming and inclusive environment through bringing diverse communities together and empowering newcomers to build a future in PEI.

We help all newly landed immigrants and newcomers to Canada through providing vital support in the areas of short-term settlement services, long-term inclusion and community integration programs in the province of Prince Edward Island.

At IRSA, as an organization and as a team, we are guided by our core values of respect, empathy, diversity, integrity, accountability, innovation and team work in all that we do.

Why Join IRSA?

You’ll have an impact, making a difference in the lives and livelihoods of newcomers to Prince Edward Island, enriching our local communities through diverse, inclusive and welcoming programming, while having fun and lead a team of like-minded individuals in the process!

• Market Competitive Wages
• Matching Group RRSP program up to 5%
• Group Health Benefits
• Generous Time-Off programs for work-life balance

How You’ll Spend Your Time

As Community Connections Program Coordinator your primary area of focus will be to oversee the Canada Connects Program, seasonal IRSA programing and partnerships related to Community Connections, as well as overseeing citizenship preparation classes and the holiday host volunteer program.

As a secondary focus, you will be supporting the Community Engagement team, and assisting in the delivery and execution of programming including, EAL sessions, Group Activities, Canada School Programming and IRSA Annual events, with the goal of newcomer’s successful integration into the local community.

This role collaborates across departments to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to promote IRSA’s vision, mission and core values.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinates the Canada Connects Program – matching well-settled Canadian volunteers with newcomers to build support networks that foster newcomers’ sense of belonging and inclusivity with their surrounding communities
• Coordinates IRSA’s Holiday Host Volunteer Program – connecting newcomers with well-settled Canadians to share the experience of Canadian seasonal traditions over the holidays
• Coordinates International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and Citizenship classes as well as identified specialized focus groups for programming, for newly landed Immigrants and Refugees.
• Develops and implements creative, innovative and responsive newcomer integration programs and services to support newcomer integration in consultation with internal and external stakeholders under the guidance of CES Manager and team.
• Organizes and facilitates meetings with outside committees, community groups and organizations, as well as other service providers regarding newcomer integration into the surrounding communities
• Acts as liaison for clients on various community programs, events and celebrations, researching and providing relevant information
• Creates awareness and promotes IRSA programs and services through collaboration and partnerships with organizations, service providers, communities and community groups
• Monitors the ongoing programming plan to ensure outcomes are on target, and adjusts plans, if necessary, to meet client needs as they arise.
• Acts as strong client advocate, refers clients/volunteers to internal and external support programs and services, including navigation of government systems, and community resources, as determined through needs assessments.
• Provides supportive para counselling, referrals and information to empower clients to solve and cope with challenges arising from connection needs in Canada.
• Liaises with community organizations to form partnerships for assisting newcomers with Community related concerns.
• Ensures up to date comprehensive case notes are completed on all client files in a timely manner within IRSA’s client management system
• Evaluates service program delivery and provides regular reporting for funding partners as instructed.
• Is committed to ongoing process review and improvement to further the efficiency of the above listed duties.

What You Bring

• You have a post-secondary degree or diploma in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology or a related discipline, with a minimum of 1-year experience in role (or an equivalent combination of education, training and work experience)
• Experience working with volunteer groups, and driving engagement and growth would be considered an asset.
• Excellent writing, editing (photo/video/text), presentation and communication skills – both in person and via digital platforms.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with demonstrated ability to multi-task and prioritize.
• Experience delivering programming, in a cross-cultural context would be considered an asset.
• Proven ability to identify and navigate service gaps and manage case loads with competing priorities
• Demonstrates a high level of empathy, coupled with a strong working knowledge of the challenges and issues facing newcomer populations, networks and support organizations.
• Demonstrates cultural competence and the ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds
• An effective communicator in the English language, with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to deliver information in a format that is clear, concise, organized and appropriate for it’s intended audience.
• Proficient working with MS Office, various Social Media platforms, & Google Applications.
• Capable of developing and delivering content using each of the above platforms.
• Experience working with a Client Management System (CMS) would be considered an asset
• Solid project management, presentation & public speaking skills would be considered an asset
• Strong networking & relationship-building skills would be considered an asset
• Ability to communicate in other languages would be considered an asset
• Working knowledge of local supports and community resources would be considered an asset.
• Having a valid provincial driver license with access to reliable transportation would be considered an asset.
• Role will involve some evening and/or weekend work (as particulars demand), as well as travel to different parts of the province as required.
• Previous experience working in non-profit organization and/or non-government organization would be considered an asset

How to Apply

Please apply below or submit a resume and covering letter to careers@irsapei.ca quoting the job title in the email subject field, or drop your application off in person to IRSA PEI – 49 Water Street, Charlottetown, PE.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those individuals selected for further consideration will be contacted.

IRSA PEI is committed to an equitable, diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, members of visible minority groups, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and IRSA to apply.

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