NEW CANADIANS CENTRE PETERBOROUGH

Position Description: RAP (Refugee Assistance Program) Housing Counsellor

NOC: 42201 Social and Community Service Support Worker

Posting Date: Thursday, October 8, 2026

Closing Date: 11:59pm, Thursday, October 15th, 2026

Hours: 35 hours per week

Wage: $27.33 to $33.11 per hour

Start date: As soon as possible

Location: Peterborough, Ontario

Reports to: Manager of Refugee Resettlement

Terms of Employment: Six-Month Contract

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Applications must include a cover letter and resume. Applications must be mailed, emailed or hand-delivered. Application via fax will not be accepted. Applications will ONLY be accepted if received as directed.

If emailing your application, please send your cover letter and resume as one file, in PDF format, attached to your email, and include your first and last name in the title of the document. For example:

“Housing Counsellor Resume and Cover Letter – First Name Last Name”

Applications must be emailed to [email protected].

Thank you for your interest. Please note that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

NCC’s Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) coordinates the arrival, orientation and initial steps of settlement for government-assisted refugee clients. The RAP Housing Worker is part of the RAP Team and is responsible for ensuring all government assisted refugees find suitable permanent housing in a timely manner, as well as assisting these clients in other matters related to housing and other relevant issues, as directed by the Manager of Refugee Resettlement.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Direct Services

· Liaise with client’s case workers and the Manager of Refugee Resettlement to obtain relevant client case history and background information

· Create and deliver RAP housing orientation sessions as per IRCC guidelines, housing orientations as clients arrive in temporary housing and as they move into their permanent housing as well as follow-up one on one sessions with clients to discuss housing topics, including rights and responsibilities of tenants in Ontario

· Assess new clients’ housing needs and work with clients to address these needs

· Search for housing options that take into account client needs and preferences, budgets and housing context in the community

· Liaise with landlords, property owners and housing service providers and advocate for clients as required

· Assist clients in all aspects of the housing process – housing search, viewings, communications with landlords, reviewing leases

· Provide or arrange for language interpretation for clients when accessing housing services, viewing rental units and communicating with potential landlords

· Assist clients to complete lease applications and ensure clients have a clear understanding of their rights and responsibilities prior to signing the lease

· Assist clients to understand, select and set up utilities including internet access, hydro, Enbridge, PUS etc.

· Assist client to secure necessary furniture





· Provide clients with current information on potential financial supports for housing and provide letters to support rental applications as appropriate

· Assess client situation and make recommendations regarding potential housing loans for rent deposits

· Assist client to move to permanent housing within the NCC catchment area

· Provide clients with orientations on basic housing expectations, norms and responsibilities when they move to permanent housing (e.g. garbage and recycling, use of household appliances, heating and cooling, etc.)

· Administer the housing process according to government (IRCC) standards and timeline, completing housing-related documents, including client Exit Packages for IRCC

· Issue warning letters to clients with regards to length of stay in temporary accommodation

· Work with volunteers as appropriate to coordinate housing services and meet clients’ needs

· Follow up with clients, case workers and volunteers in a timely and consistent manner

· Have availability to work on call during evenings and/or weekends when clients are in temporary housing

Community Outreach

· Create and implement strategies to engage landlords and property owners, and develop a network who are willing to rent to refugee individuals and families

· Keep updated on housing trends and contextual information through research, networking, and outreach to relevant community partners and housing providers

Office Administration

· Respond to telephone, in person or electronic inquiries or forward to appropriate person

· Create, edit, proofread and finalise office correspondence, reports, statements, forms, presentations and other documents using Microsoft applications

· Keep updated statistics and detailed information about housing processes and client-landlord interactions in order to report to NCC management and funders as required

· Maintain digital client files, including housing forms, counselling notes and records, client files and/or client database, and record additional information as specified (regular statistics, iCARE etc) to facilitate information between RAP team members, the RAP Manager and other NCC staff

· Attend regular RAP team meetings and other staff meetings as required

General Responsibilities

· Support the mandate of the New Canadians Centre Peterborough

· Assist in organizing and/or participating in NCC events and activities as directed by supervisor

· Complete documentation such as expense reports and timesheets in a complete timely fashion

· Other duties as required

Qualifications:

Experience

● Post-secondary education in a field related to Community Development, Social Work and/or Social Service Work,



or equivalent working experience, is required

● Experience in counseling and needs assessment, strongly preferred

● Knowledge of housing, including all aspects of renting housing as well as the current community housing context, strongly preferred

● Experience with crisis counselling and conflict resolution is an asset.

● Work experience in office administration and/or the non-profit sector is an asset

● Lived experience as a newcomer to Canada or as a member of a marginalized group, as voluntarily self-identified, is viewed favourably.

Competencies

● Excellent English written and verbal communication skills applicable to a multicultural setting is required

● Fluency in other languages, such as Arabic, Somali, Dari, or Spanish is an asset

● Understanding and empathy for the struggles which immigrants, refugees and newcomers face in starting a new life in Canada; knowledge of issues facing resettled refugees in general and the Resettlement Assistance Program more specifically considered an asset

● Understanding of anti-oppressive language and concepts including power, privilege, intersectionality, and racism

● Detail oriented, with solid organizational, research, problem solving and time management skills

● Ability to work independently and as part of a team

● Adaptability and responsiveness to client and organizational needs

● Ability to work under pressure and address emergency situations

● Knowledge of community resources

● Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle important documents in a sensitive manner

● Demonstrated ability to keep accurate records, write reports and meet deadlines

● Proficient in use of computers and Microsoft Office applications, including Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access

Other

● Current Criminal Reference check with vulnerable sector screening

● Valid Ontario Class G Driver’s License, and access to a vehicle is required

● Ability to work flexible hours, including some weekends and evenings The NCC strives to be an equal opportunity employer.

We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds.

Any information obtained during the course of recruitment will be used for employment recruitment purposes only, and not for any other purpose.

Accommodation will be provided in all parts of the hiring process as required under the NCC’s Accessible Customer Service Policy. Applicants will need to make their needs known in advance.

The NCC is an advocate for equity and is committed to ensuring representation in its staff team. We welcome applications from members of immigrant and refugee communities, people of colour, women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities.

Pay: $27.33-$33.11 per hour

Expected hours: 35.0 per week

Benefits

- Employee assistance program

Education:
- AEC / DEP or Skilled Trade Certificate (preferred)

Work Location: In person

📌 RAP (Refugee Assistance Program) Housing Counsellor (Peterborough)
🏢 New Canadians Centre
📍 Peterborough