Rural Employment Navigator

(Short-term contract to end March 2026)

ISANS is seeking a full-time Rural Employment Navigator responsible for planning and delivering employment counseling, providing career exploration and job development, aimed at assisting refugees and immigrants in their search for appropriate employment in Nova Scotia, with a focus on offering service in Rural NS. The ideal candidate will be a resident of Antigonish, New Glasgow or Pictou

Reporting to the Supervisor & Manager, Employment & Bridging, this position is responsible for:

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Providing individual on-site and online employment counselling and follow-up sessions as appropriate based on Client Service Plan.
• Working with refugee and immigrant job seekers located in rural areas on developing short- and long-term return-to-work action plans.
• Maintaining familiarity with international accreditation processes in all relevant occupational/professional fields.
• Providing detailed information about the pathway to licensure for clients in regulated occupations.
• Conducting outreach activities with potential employers in rural areas of NS.
• Developing and maintaining a network of employer contacts in rural NS.
• Working with clients on developing job search documents including resumes and cover letters.
• Referring clients to appropriate internal and external workshops and programs according to their career goals.
• Providing one-on-one advice on job search techniques, interview skills and labour market information.
• Conducting follow-up employment counseling sessions with clients to ensure the implementation of the return-to-work action plan.
• Working with clients on active job development and making connections to employment opportunities.
• Keeping up-to-date information on available training opportunities and educational programs which would enhance client employability.
• Being actively involved in the maintenance and development of employment and career resources.
• Pursuing professional development opportunities and attending training courses as required.
• Soliciting information about and maintaining familiarity with current labour market trends in Nova Scotia and the job search needs of new Canadians.
• Facilitating group sessions and workshops for clients as needed.
• Participating in other ISANS activities and programs as needed
• Participate in the administration of employment services by:

o Seeking and creating partnerships with employers and other services providing organizations

o Attending team meetings

o Answering and directing correspondence as required

o Helping to develop the goals and objectives of the Employment and Bridging team

o Maintaining and submitting accurate records and statistics for all client contacts

o Maintaining case management records by using LaMPSS, iCare and NewOrg

o Preparing regular reports on program activities

o Promoting and marketing employment counselling services and job search workshops to potential clients

o Reporting regularly to the Supervisor and Manager, Employment and Bridging

o Participating in the evaluation of the Employment and Bridging team programs and services by:

o Playing an active role in the Program Evaluation process

o Maintaining detailed records of client and employer contacts

The ideal candidate for this position will have the following:

Ideally candidates will reside in New Glasgow, Antigonish or Pictou

Education:

• University Degree
• Career Practitioner’s Diploma/certification would be an asset

Experience:

• Must have cross-cultural experience and be familiar with immigration issues
• At least 1-2 years’ experience dealing with employment or immigration issues would be an asset

Knowledge:

• Good working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite
• Current knowledge of the Nova Scotia labour market and rural Nova Scotia market in particular
• Ability to speak other languages would be an asset

Skills:

• Excellent counselling skills, particularly employment and career-related
• Ability to travel across rural NS
• Ability to develop professional contacts with potential employers in a variety of occupational sectors
• Solid interpersonal, organizational and communication skills
• Self-directed but able to function well in a team environment

ISANS Core Competencies

Cultural Competency; Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

• Embracing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization

Collaboration

• Working collaboratively with others across the organization to achieve shared objectives

Continuous Learning

• Continually seeking new knowledge and skills, as well as developing existing capabilities

Innovative Thinking

• Introducing new ways of looking at problems and developing useful ideas that are new, better, or unique

Accountability

• Holding self and others responsible and accountable to being transparent and principled in our approach and to meeting commitments

Respect

• Actively encouraging an environment of fairness, honesty and integrity for all

Terms of Employment:

• Short-term contract to March 31, 2026
• Full-time 35 hours per week
• Hybrid work environment: work location will be determined by operational requirements, prioritizing ISANS mission and clients to determine the right balance of in-person and virtual work.

Commencement Date: ASAP

Closing Date: Thursday, July 3, 2025 4 p.m.

To apply: Please e-mail your resume and cover letter merged into one document, stating the title of the position you are applying for in the subject line.

ISANS is dedicated to inclusiveness, equity and accessibility. We are seeking talented individuals to join our team and welcome applications from all diverse groups. We encourage applicants to self-identify in their cover letter and request any accommodation required to support them during the recruitment process

Only those eligible to work in Canada will be considered for this position

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for this position.

However, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 9 months

Pay: $46,607.69-$49,174.06 per year

Benefits:

• Dental care
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• Vision care

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Halifax, NS B3L 4P1

Application deadline: 2025-07-03