Position Summary:

The Mi’kmaw Cultural Foundation is seeking a compassionate, organized, and community-minded Settlement Officer to support newcomers, immigrants, refugees, and their families as they establish their lives in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Settlement Officer will assess client needs, develop individualized settlement plans, provide referrals, and help clients navigate essential services such as housing, health care, education, employment, transportation, childcare, and language training.

The successful candidate will also help newcomers develop an understanding of Mi’kmaw history, culture, values, and protocols and build respectful relationships within the communities where they live.

Key Responsibilities:

Client Support and Case Management• Welcome clients and conduct confidential intake and needs-assessment interviews.

- Identify each client’s immediate and longer-term settlement needs, strengths, goals, and barriers.
- Develop individualized settlement plans in collaboration with clients.
- Provide ongoing case management, follow-up, and practical support.
- Assist clients in accessing housing, health care, education, employment, transportation, childcare, language training, and other essential services.
- Help clients understand and complete applications, forms, registrations, and service-related documents.
- Support clients in preparing for appointments and communicating with service providers.
- Arrange interpretation or translation support when available and required.
- Advocate for clients experiencing language, cultural, financial, geographic, or systemic barriers.
- Provide crisis referrals and connect clients with qualified emergency, legal, health, immigration, or social-service professionals when necessary.
- Provide general settlement information without offering legal or regulated immigration advice unless appropriately authorized.

Referrals and Service Navigation• Maintain current knowledge of federal, provincial, municipal, and community programs available to newcomers.
- Develop and maintain an accurate directory of community resources and referral contacts.
- Connect clients with appropriate government departments, community organizations, educational institutions, health-care providers, and employment services.
- Follow up on referrals to help ensure that clients receive timely and appropriate support.
- Identify gaps in local settlement services and bring emerging needs to the organization’s attention.

Community Engagement and Cultural Orientation• Plan and deliver settlement orientations, information sessions, workshops, and welcoming activities.
- Provide information about Canadian systems, local services, employment practices, tenant responsibilities, education, health care, and community participation.




- Help clients become familiar with life in Newfoundland and Labrador, including services available in rural and regional communities.
- Support culturally safe introductions to Mi’kmaw history, culture, values, protocols, and contemporary communities.
- Encourage respectful intercultural learning, inclusion, and relationship-building.
- Support opportunities for newcomers and established community members to connect through events, volunteer activities, and cultural programming.
- Represent Mi’kmaw Cultural Foundation Inc. at meetings, public events, and community activities as requested.

Partnerships and Outreach• Build positive working relationships with Indigenous organizations, settlement agencies, municipalities, schools, employers, health-care providers, community groups, and government departments.
- Conduct outreach to ensure newcomers and service providers are aware of available programs.
- Deliver presentations and distribute program information throughout the region.
- Work collaboratively with community partners to coordinate services and reduce duplication.
- Assist in developing new partnerships, programs, and funding opportunities that respond to newcomer needs.

Administration and Reporting• Maintain complete, accurate, and confidential client files, case notes, consent forms, referrals, and service records.
- Enter and manage program data in accordance with organizational and funder requirements.
- Track participation, referrals, outcomes, and other program performance measures.
- Prepare regular activity reports, statistical summaries, funding reports, and program updates.
- Collect client feedback and contribute to program evaluation and continuous improvement.
- Assist with program budgets, purchasing, scheduling, and event coordination when required.
- Protect personal information and comply with all privacy, confidentiality, records-management, and organizational policies.
- Participate in staff meetings, training, professional development, and organizational planning.
- Perform other related duties assigned by the President and CEO or designate.

Qualifications: Education and Experience• A diploma or degree in social work, community development, human services, education, immigration and settlement studies, sociology, public administration, or a related field is preferred.

- An equivalent combination of education, training, lived experience,



and relevant employment experience may be considered.
- Experience supporting newcomers, immigrants, refugees, Indigenous peoples, families, or individuals facing barriers is an asset.
- Experience providing case management, client navigation, community outreach, or referral services is preferred.
- Knowledge of settlement services and community resources in Newfoundland and Labrador is an asset.
- Experience working in a nonprofit, Indigenous, community-based, or publicly funded organization is an asset.

Knowledge and Skills• Strong interpersonal, communication, advocacy, and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to work respectfully and effectively with people from diverse cultural, linguistic, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Demonstrated understanding of cultural safety, trauma-informed practice, anti-racism, inclusion, and client-centred service.
- Respect for Mi’kmaw culture, knowledge, values, and community protocols.
- Strong organizational, time-management, record-keeping, and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to manage multiple client files and priorities while meeting deadlines.
- Sound judgment and the ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
- Strong computer skills, including email, virtual meeting platforms, databases, and Microsoft Office or comparable applications.
- Clear written communication and the ability to prepare skilled case notes and reports.
- Fluency in English is required; proficiency in French, Mi’kmaw, Arabic, Ukrainian, or another language commonly used by newcomers would be considered an asset.

Additional Requirements:

- A satisfactory certificate of conduct and vulnerable sector check may be required.
- A valid driver’s licence and access to reliable transportation are preferred due to regional travel requirements.
- The successful candidate must be willing to travel within the region.
- Some evening and weekend work may be required for workshops, cultural activities, and community events.
- The position may involve working with clients experiencing stressful or sensitive circumstances.

Working Conditions: The Settlement Officer will work in an office and community-based environment, with some work conducted by telephone, online, or at partner locations. The role requires regular interaction with clients, service providers, and community partners.

Contract Conditions

This position is offered as a one-year employment contract. Continued employment beyond the contract end date is not guaranteed. Any extension or renewal will depend on available funding, program requirements, satisfactory performance, and the operational needs of Mi’kmaw Cultural Foundation.

📌 Settlement Officer (Stephenville)
🏢 Mi'kmaw Cultural Foundation
📍 Stephenville