Retention Facilitator

The Retention Facilitator will work to increase the retention of international students studying at and graduating from Cape Breton University and other post-secondary institutions on the Island. This will be accomplished through a combination of events, workshops, activities, and day-to-day settlement counselling work.

The Retention Facilitator will report to the Team Lead of the International Student Retention Program at Cape Breton Island Centre for Immigration and will work closely with Island businesses, Cape Breton University, Island Municipalities and First Nations, and Island development agencies (RENs, Cape Breton Partnership, Sydney and Area Chamber of Commerce, etc.).

New Dawn Enterprises is also a designated employer under the Atlantic Immigration Program, offering permanent residence support to eligible employees.

Student Settlement Support

• Provide ongoing support on an individual basis to international students and graduates
• Connect students/graduates to community services, resources and business opportunities
• Assist students and graduates (and their families) in navigating and settling on the Island
• Understanding of government forms and processes as they relate to client’s needs
• Provide employment supports to international students (such as resume and cover letter review, job search, interview preparation) to assist with integration into the labour force
• Other duties as assigned

Community Engagement

• Cultivate and maintain positive relationships with all stakeholders, such as Island municipalities and First Nations, CBU and NSCC, Cape Breton Partnership, CBLC, Sydney and Area Chamber of Commerce, development agencies, RENs, community organizations and nonprofits, and federal agencies (ie. Service Canada)
• Engage in outreach with partner organizations to provide presentations and/or attend events, representing CBICI in a positive and professional manner, expanding local knowledge of the services and supports available through the Centre
• Develop new partnerships with a variety of organizations, agencies, and stakeholders – provide presentation opportunities and develop innovative approaches to collaboration
• Conduct this area of responsibility with an eye to the potential benefits to international students

Administrative Duties

• Provide content such as blog posts, event photographs and videos for use on social media, website, etc
• Maintenance of up-to-date weekly reporting and participation in team meetings
• Responsible for updating and maintaining student email list
• Greeting clients to the Centre and connecting them with other staff as needed
Assisting with student and graduate survey rollout

Assist with Programming (designed to increased international student retention):

• Support programming throughout the year including, but not limited to: Island tours, events employment readiness workshops, and an annual multicultural festival
• Connect international students to the programs, events, and offerings of community agencies; act as a connector/resource person between international students and these agencies
• Assist with collaborations with select agencies on the design and delivery of Island tours and employment workshops

• Participate in internal team meetings as required
• Look for potential improvements and help implement solutions
• Maintain quality, safety and the confidentiality of employees, clients, and volunteers
• Maintain professionalism, tact, diplomacy, and sensitivity so as to portray New Dawn in a positive manner, consistent with its values and vision
• Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities, engaging in professional networks, and participating in professional organizations
• Respond to the needs of others with effective communication, mutual respect, and consistent follow through to build trust and workplace relationships
• Promote the mission and values of New Dawn both internally and externally
• Other duties as assigned by the Manager or Team Lead.

• Degree or Diploma in a related field or combination of experience and education
• Minimum of one (1) year relevant experience.
• Compassion and empathy
• Experience working with and advocating for vulnerable populations.
• Ability to work independently, as part of a team, and with guidance from others
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• Highly organized and ability to work well under pressure
• Proficiency with Microsoft suite of programs and applications
• High level of integrity, confidentiality, and accountability
• Understands servant leadership and community-focus as central to the work
• Research experience an asset.

• Travel will be required.
• Manual dexterity required to use desktop computer and peripherals.
• Overtime may be required; working evenings/weekends and needed.
• Interacts with employees, management, and public at large.
• Environment can be busy/noisy at times.

New Dawn Enterprises Limited is a private, volunteer-directed non-profit social enterprise dedicated to community building. It seeks to identify community needs and to establish and operate ventures that speak to those needs.

Incorporated in 1976, New Dawn is the oldest Community Development Corporation in Canada. Today it employs 150 people across 10 companies: New Dawn Homecare, New Dawn Guest Home and New Dawn Home Living, New Dawn Meals on Wheels, the Eltuek Arts Centre, Café Marie, New Dawn Properties, Cape Breton Island Centre for Immigration, New Dawn Centre, and New Dawn Community Engagement.

All of its work is in service of building a more vibrant and self-reliant Unama’ki-Cape Breton Island.

Atlantic Immigration Program Employer

New Dawn is proud to be an Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) employer. This means that New Dawn has been approved as an AIP employer and, as such, can endorse the AIP-PR application of an eligible employee.

Note: employees are responsible for verifying that the employment position/category is eligible under the AIP program, or any other immigration program/stream for which they intend to seek the support/endorsement of New Dawn.

Salaried Employee Compensation Package 

New Dawn Enterprises believes in supporting the well-being of its employees and, in service of this, has created the following compensation package for permanent, salaried employees of New Dawn Enterprises, in addition to their salaries.

Group Health Group Benefits: Medical, Dental, Life Insurance
New Dawn offers its employees group benefits provided by Group Health. Fifty percent (50%) of these benefits are paid by the employer, except for Long-Term Disability benefits which are fully (100%) paid by the employee. The plan also includes a component for Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) and Vision Care. Dependent life is also included.

Self-Directed Registered Retirement Savings Plan
Employees may choose to begin participation in New Dawn’s Self-Directed RRSP plan after completion of three (3) months of employment. Employees may contribute up to 5% of their gross salary, deducted from their pay cheque. This is matched by the employer to a maximum of five percent (5%).

Reduced Hours Work Week
In recognition of the benefits of greater work-life balance and the value of flexibility and autonomy for human wellbeing, New Dawn has adopted a Reduced Hour Work Week. All full-time salaried employees are required to be in the office for 32 hours per week. These hours can be worked over four or five days. At the start of employment, a schedule will be drafted that meets both the needs of the company and the employee.

Professional Development
New Dawn acknowledges and is committed to the ongoing professional development and lifelong learning aspirations of its staff. The acquisition of new position-relevant skills and perspectives by employees creates a stronger, more informed, and modern organization.

Employees are strongly encouraged to research and outline education and/or professional development opportunities to discuss with their manager in the creation of their work-plan.

Paid Holidays
New Dawn observes thirteen (13) public holidays and other days for which staff will be paid. They are: New Year’s Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Civic Holiday, Labour Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day

In the spirit of family, the President reserves the right to close the office between Christmas and New Year’s to enable employees to spend time with their families. This option will be reviewed, and a decision made annually depending on operational requirements. These non-statutory days will have no impact on employee vacation time.

Paid Vacation
All new employees entering the organization as a salaried employee will earn 15 days of paid vacation during the annum.

Mental and Physical Health Days 

Employees will be entitled to seven (7) days paid leave at the beginning of each calendar year. This can be carried forward to a maximum of fifteen (15) days total. It can be used for physical and metal wellness/illness and appointments for the employee or their family members.

Employee and Family Assistance Plan (EFAP)
New Dawn’s Group Benefits Plan also includes the provision of an Employee and Family Assistance Program. The Employee and Family Assistance Program (EAP) is a support system that employees and their families can turn to for confidential help with stress, anxiety and depression, family and relationship issues, addictions, legal and financial difficulties, health and nutrition concerns and workplace and career difficulties. The program is confidential and optional and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Café Marie Discount

Employees of New Dawn Enterprises can take advantage of a 20% discount at Café Marie, located in the Eltuek Arts Centre.

Years of Service

The Years of Service Recognition Program recognizes and rewards the service of New Dawn employees at milestones in their careers. All permanent full-and-part-time New Dawn employees are eligible to receive the Years of Service award.

STAR Program

New Dawn is proud to recognize and reward the excellent work and achievements of its employees. Managers at New Dawn will be given an annual budget to provide ongoing and immediate recognition to their direct reports throughout the year.

Corporate YMCA Membership Program

In an effort to create more opportunity for staff health and wellness, New Dawn offers a corporate membership in partnership with the Cape Breton YMCA. The corporate membership gives staff a 12% discount on the cost of membership, additionally New Dawn pays half the cost of an individual discounted membership.