Colleen Cotie
Halifax,NS
Summary
Dedicated Program Coordinator with broad-ranging expertise in operations management and program administration. Skilled in overseeing program planning and championing strategic visions. Committed to driving teams toward success and sustaining departmental mandates.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Program Coordinator
Labour, Skills & Immigration
Halifax, NS
06.2022 - Current
- Coordinates delivery of the Provincial Nominee Program and Atlantic Immigration Program by monitoring day-to-day operations, scheduling and case management
- Prepares briefing notes, operational instructions and presentations to assist senior management
- Provides leadership and guidance to Immigration Officers on case-specific matters, leading to effective decision-making and program delivery
- Supervises Immigration Officer's daily work activities and ensures customer service standards are met
- Liaises with federal government, external stakeholders and other provincial jurisdictions and builds valuable networks
- Ensures adherence to policy, processes and procedures, particularly with respect to approval/refusal of applications and determines assessments are consistent with program criteria
- Suggests adjustments to procedures to create more facilitative and streamlined processes
- Collaborates with Programs Team and other branch units to improve operations and identify potential deficiencies by providing innovative and rational recommendations
- Works with Investigations and Compliance unit to provide and gather information and build frameworks to reduce the risk of immigration fraud
- Documents processes and procedures in a timely manner, in accordance with federal regulations, provincial policies and departmental operational guidelines
- Assists with program stream design and delivery
- Trains Immigration Officers on overall branch objectives, the Canadian immigration system, program assessment and niche immigration topics
- Contributes to achieving provincial annual allocation objectives by reporting on processing targets and assists senior management with future initiatives
- Connects with and presents to various external stakeholders, such as employers, non-governmental organizations, societies, international students, industry sectors and other related associations on program-related and/or immigration matters
- Shares developed immigration expertise with senior management, peers and Immigration Officers to assist in effective decision-making
- Creates a learning environment for Immigration Officers and assists in Immigration Officer's development by identifying individuals strengths
Acting Program Manager
Labour, Skills and Immigration
Halifax, NS
11.2023 - 04.2024
- Provided guidance and support to Immigration Officers and Program Coordinators in order to achieve yearly allocation
- Developed program action plans, identified risks, set objectives and monitored progress
- Coordinated with internal stakeholders to ensure successful implementation of the program initiatives
- Drafted reports for senior management highlighting key milestones, opportunities and challenges noted throughout the program lifecycle
- Collaborated with teams across departments to develop effective strategies for executing programs
- Conducted regular meetings with Immigration Officers and Program Coordinators to review progress and address any issues or concerns arising within the program
- Identified areas of improvement in existing processes, procedures and systems related to program delivery
- Analyzed data collected during the course of the program operations and reported results accordingly
- Created presentations outlining proposed solutions for addressing challenges encountered in program operations
- Generated and delivered reports, program review presentations and other program status updates
- Reviewed Immigration Officer's recommendations, ensuring assessments were accurate, included relevant information and met program compliance requirements
- Made fact-based decision making
- Managed internal and external client relationships
- Reviewed employee performance and provided ongoing feedback and coaching to drive performance improvement.
- Provided leadership, insight and mentoring to Immigration Officers, providing program and immigration knowledge
- Planned and led team meetings to review results and communicate new and ongoing priorities
- Delegated work to staff, setting priorities and goals
- Held regular one-on-one meetings with employees to review performance and priorities and provide feedback
Program Officer
Labour, Skills & Immigration
Halifax, NS
07.2021 - 06.2022
- Assessed applications in accordance with program objectives, guidelines, and criteria
- Prepared and sent correspondence such as deferral and verification requests to gather and confirm information to complete assessments
- Verified applicants' document submissions, including verification of job offers, education and experience
- Recommended approval or refusal for applications in accordance with established criteria and proceeded with actions at the request of the Immigration Program Manager or Director of Programs
- Prepared and sent correspondence to applicants with final decisions such as nomination certificates and letters of support for work permits
- Ensured that database entries were accurate and updated in a timely fashion
- Provided information on immigration programs in response to public inquiries in accordance with program guidelines
- Directed all parties to other staff, departments, governments, agencies organizations when required
- Shared information gathered during interactions internally with appropriate members of LSI staff/management
- Provided assistance to colleagues and peers in dealing with immigration issues by utilizing developed expertise in specific immigration topics or areas
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant/Owner
Cotie Immigration Consulting
Halifax, NS
02.2018 - 07.2021
- Represented clients in front of various Canadian Immigration departments, namely Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada, Employment & Social Development Canada & Canada Border Services Agency
- Assessed client's eligibility for Canadian immigration
- Researched relevant immigration policy and procedure
- Prepared immigration applications for clients and advise clients on required supporting documents for immigration applications
- Accessed immigration settlement resources for clients and connect clients with such organizations, when necessary
- Drafted submission letters to support clients' immigration application, citing appropriate legislation
- Worked with clients seeking temporary and permanent residency, reunite families and assist employers with recruitment and retention via the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program, provincial nominee programs & Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process
- Kept up to date marketing practices to promote business, such as website maintenance, social media and network/word of mouth marketing
- Maintained client databases, accounting software and all administrative requirements involved with running a business
Immigration Law Clerk
EY Law LLP
Halifax , NS
02.2019 - 09.2020
- Drafted temporary entry and permanent residence applications for clients of varying backgrounds
- Understood the requirements and eligibility criteria of various immigration categories on a provincial and federal level
- Researched various aspects of immigration applications
- Liaised with Human Resource professionals to discuss immigration strategy, timeline and process regarding client's applications
- Corresponded with clients to discuss key aspects of their immigration application including gathering necessary documentation and pertinent information to draft application
- Ensured all applications are filed in a timely manner and deadlines are met
- Communicated with immigration authorities regarding pending applications
Education
Graduate Diploma in Immigration: Laws, Policies & Procedures -
University of British Columbia
01.2018
Bachelor of Commerce, double major in Marketing & Management -
Saint Mary's University
05.2015
Skills
- Experience providing client service
- Excellent verbal and written communication, interpersonal & presentation skills
- Experience leading teams and providing peer support
- Pays keen attention to detail
- Ability to work in a cross-cultural team environment
- Experience working in a self-directed & self-disciplined environment
- Proficient in multiple social media platforms
- Advanced capability in Microsoft Office
Certification
- Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) R528755, College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants
- Certificate in Private Refugee Sponsorship, Refugee Sponsorship Training Program
- Commissioner of Oaths, Officer of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia
- Spanish Language Level I & II, Nova Scotia Institute of Technology
Affiliations
- Girl Guides of Canada - 2nd Halifax Sparks and 27th Halifax Embers - Group Leader
- 2023 North American Indigenous Games - Volunteer Services
Timeline
Acting Program Manager
Labour, Skills and Immigration
11.2023 - 04.2024
Program Coordinator
Labour, Skills & Immigration
06.2022 - Current
Program Officer
Labour, Skills & Immigration
07.2021 - 06.2022
Immigration Law Clerk
EY Law LLP
02.2019 - 09.2020
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant/Owner
Cotie Immigration Consulting
02.2018 - 07.2021
Graduate Diploma in Immigration: Laws, Policies & Procedures -
University of British Columbia
Bachelor of Commerce, double major in Marketing & Management -
Saint Mary's University
- Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) R528755, College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants
- Certificate in Private Refugee Sponsorship, Refugee Sponsorship Training Program
- Commissioner of Oaths, Officer of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia
- Spanish Language Level I & II, Nova Scotia Institute of Technology
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