Immigration and Settlement Navigator

Full Time, Contract Position (37.5 hours per week) until March 31, 2026, with the possibility of contract renewal*

The Valley Regional Enterprise Network (Valley REN) is the regional economic development organization for the Annapolis Valley Region. The Valley REN carries out the economic development priorities for its members, which currently include Glooscap First Nation, the Municipality of the County of Kings, West Hants Regional Municipality, and the Towns of Berwick, Kentville, Wolfville, and Middleton. Funding for the Valley REN is provided by its members and is matched by the Province of Nova Scotia to support economic development on a regional level

*Valley REN is wrapping up the end of a 3-year agreement with the aim of securing an additional 3-year agreement (2026-2029) for this program.

Job Purpose: Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Immigration and Settlement Navigator will conduct outreach and promote all provincial and federal immigration programs to Annapolis Valley employers, navigate and refer employers and newcomers to immigration programs and work with existing immigration support organizations in a coordinated approach in the Annapolis Valley. This position will support employers in the region by advancing efforts to retain newcomers in the Annapolis Valley, while also leading initiatives that foster a welcoming environment for new residents

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

This position is primarily responsible for 3 key activities:

• Promotion and Outreach throughout the Annapolis Valley:
  • Conduct outreach and promote all provincial and federal immigration programs to all Annapolis Valley employers, but with a particular focus on those employers with high demand occupations.
  • Help employers understand how to be "immigration ready".
  • Work with workforce development partners throughout the region to raise awareness of all provincial and federal immigration programs.
• Navigation to Supports:
  • Navigate and refer employers to provincial and federal immigration programs.
  • Navigate and refer immigrants, newcomers and employers to the ecosystem of workforce and community supports in the region.
  • Navigate employers to programming related to welcoming workplaces for immigrants and newcomers and diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace.
• Support and Welcome Network:
  • Work with key economic development partners and workforce support partners to identify collaborative opportunities, including the 2nd Annual Immigration and Community Fair.
  • Work with partner organizations to create and support cultural events that celebrate immigrants and newcomers in the region.
  • Catalogue regional assets available to newcomers.
  • Work with partners to promote our regional Welcoming Workplaces Toolkit.
  • Support the continued development of a Welcome Network for the Annapolis Valley region that will maintain or enhance the tools and resources needed to welcome newcomers to the region; including the recruitment of volunteers to engage in these activities.

General Duties:

• Collaborate with Valley REN staff, community partners, funders, etc. to increase employer engagement in immigration as an employee retention tool.
• Lead and coordinate the planning of the 2nd Annual Immigration and Community Fair.
• Participate in the planning, hosting and organizing of events and information sessions to promote programs and services to employers and job seekers, including international students.
• Network with community partners.
• Maintain confidentiality and manage a project budget effectively.
• Prepare written progress reports and presentations for relevant partners.
• Maintain and manage project data on CRM.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Skilled project coordinator and relationship builder, passionate about newcomer support and regional economic growth.
• Knowledge of Canadian immigration systems, provincial programs, and the Annapolis Valley business community.
• Self-starter with strong initiative; works independently and collaboratively.
• Proven budget management, confidentiality, and analytical skills.
• Excellent time management, planning, networking, and presentation abilities.
• Politically aware, tactful, and able to exercise sound judgment.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Solution-oriented with strong problem-solving and attention to detail.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and virtual meeting platforms (MS Teams, Zoom).
• Experienced in program coordination, management, and evaluation.
• Event planning and hosting experience.

Working Environment:

• Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm, in an office environment (our regional office is located in Kentville, but requires travel across our catchment on a regular basis); hybrid work-from-home options may also be available.
• Flexibility in working hours is required as some work will happen outside of regular hours.
• Frequent travel throughout the region is required to fulfill the duties of this role, therefore continuous access to reliable transportation to areas within West Hants, Kings and Annapolis Counties, with the possibility of other parts of the Province is a requirement and responsibility of the employee.

Annual Salary: $55,000-$60,000

Qualifications, Education and Experience: 1-3 years of demonstrated experience and working-knowledge of provincial and immigration programs; post-secondary degree or diploma in a relevant discipline, such as Community Development, Public Relations, Marketing, Communications or Business Administration or similar, or a suitable combination of education, certifications and/or demonstrated work experience.

Deadline for Application: Friday, August 22, 2025 at 4:00pm

Please send your merged CV and cover letter by Friday, August 22, 2025 to:

Emily Boucher, CEO

Valley Regional Enterprise Network

[email protected]

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

The Valley REN acknowledges that we are in Mi'kma'ki, the unceded territory and ancestral homeland of the Mi'kmaq nation. Our relationship is based on a series of Peace and Friendship treaties between the Mi'kmaq Nation and the Crown, dating back to 1725. In Nova Scotia, we recognize that We are All Treaty People.

The Valley REN is committed to fostering a welcoming, equitable and accessible workplace where all team members feel valued, respected and supported. The Valley REN is committed to the full inclusion of all applicants.