Port of Entry (POE) Program Staff (On call)

Title: Port of Entry (POE) Program Staff

Location: Halifax Stanfield International Airport

Position Status: Casual; On call, as needed

Compensation: $27.00 per hour

About the Role

The On‑call POE Program Staff plays a vital role in the planning, implementation, and delivery of services that support and empower refugee arrivals during their initial reception at the airport. This position is responsible for the seamless delivery of essential arrival services in collaboration with multiple stakeholders, including federal and local government agencies, airport authorities, transportation providers, hotels and resettlement organizations.

Under the direction of the POE Program Coordinator, the staff provides direct, on‑site support to refugee individuals and families during their arrival process. Responsibilities include assessing immediate needs, offering logistical assistance, facilitating emergency responses when necessary, and ensuring thorough documentation and communication. Whether clients are resettling locally or traveling onward, this role plays a critical part in ensuring a safe, smooth transition and delivering a trauma‑informed, welcoming, and culturally sensitive reception experience.

In this role, you will

• Liaise with government agencies, airport staff, transportation providers, and resettlement organizations to support arrivals
• Provide immediate, on‑site support to refugees during their airport transition, including logistical assistance, basic needs support, and navigation guidance
• Respond promptly and effectively to emergencies or unexpected challenges that arise during the arrival process
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to ensure a seamless hand‑off to local or regional resettlement teams
• Assist with documentation, transportation arrangements (i.e. ground, flights), interpretation, hotels and other logistical requirements as needed
• Foster a welcoming, inclusive, and trauma‑informed environment for all arriving individuals and families
• Maintain accurate records and timely communicate relevant arrival details with the coordinator and other stakeholders
• Exhibit flexibility in scheduling and task management, given the variable nature of arrival times and volumes

Qualifications

• Previous experience in refugee resettlement, crisis response, social services, airport operations, or a related field is strongly preferred
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast‑paced, high‑pressure, and multicultural environment
• Problem‑solving skills, resourcefulness, and sound judgment in responding to emergencies or evolving circumstances
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
• Availability for flexible, on‑call shifts, including evenings and weekends, based on flight schedules
• Strong interpersonal skills and robust understanding of refugee and immigrant experiences, trauma‑informed care principles, and settlement services
• Familiarity with federal immigration processes and airport logistics an asset
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; additional languages (e.g., Arabic, Amharic, Tigrinya, Kiswahili) highly desirable
• Proven ability to remain calm under pressure and manage rapidly evolving situations with professionalism and discretion
• Proficiency in MS Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint applications, Teams, and Zoom and the ability to learn and adapt to new technologies required for excellent service delivery
• Ability to lift up to 30‑40 lbs and support clients with mobility or special needs
• Must be legally eligible to work in Canada and able to obtain necessary airport clearance
• Must have access to reliable transportation to accommodate varying work hours, including early morning, evenings, and late nights based on flight schedule and departure support

Working Conditions

Must be flexible and available to work irregular, on‑call shifts — including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays — based on needs of arrivals. Hours are variable and not guaranteed.

To Apply

Please apply online at https://ymcahfx.ca/workwithus/.

Required Documentation

• Criminal Record Check, Vulnerable Sector Check, and Child Abuse Registry Check (less than 6 months old), if 18 years of age or older
• Attend Child Safeguarding Training upon hire

Please note: background checks are reviewed on an individual basis – offenses, if any, are based on role and Child Safeguarding requirements, and may not eliminate candidates from employment at our YMCA.

At the YMCA, we are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace where every team member feels valued, respected, and empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. We believe that a variety of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences enrich our organization, enabling us to better serve our community and achieve our mission. As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, racially diverse, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, gender‑diverse people, people with diverse abilities, members of ethnic minorities and faith groups, foreign‑born residents, and veterans to apply.

If you require accommodation during the hiring process, please inform us in advance to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation.

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