Community Service Worker - Canada Summer Jobs

At House of Friendship, we believe in what we are doing. We get out of bed each day to make a difference in our community; to walk with and to serve. We are not happy with the status quo. We get energy from ongoing learning and growth. We lead with passion and believe without a doubt that everyone deserves to belong and thrive. We live and breathe our values of Compassion, Inclusion, Justice, Dignity and Hope. And we have fun!

Sounds pretty great, doesn’t it? It is! 

This position works in our Neighbourhood Community Centre and Food programs. These Neighbourhood programs walk with our community to prevent and reduce the impacts of poverty, hunger, and isolation in Waterloo Region to contribute to a healthy, resilient community where all can belong and thrive. The Neighbourhood Program Leader will work with Community Development Workers to implement food programs and plan and lead evidence-informed programs for children, youth and adults at community centres in Waterloo Region.

** This is a contract, full-time position (30 hours per week), from approximately June 23, 2025 to August 29, 2025. Schedule includes variable hours; generally daytime and weekday hours with occasional evening and weekend hours.

Valid G class driver’s license and access to a personal vehicle highly preferred.

Successful completion of a Police Records Check (Vulnerable Sector) required. **

This position is funded by the Canadian Government Canada Summer Jobs program which requires that the following eligibility criteria be met: 

Eligibility:

1.      Be between 15 and 30 years of age at the start of the employment contract;

2.      Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the employment; and,

3.      Have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations.

4.      International students are not eligible participants. International students include anyone who is temporarily in Canada for studies and who is not a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person who has been granted refugee status in Canada.

Key Responsibilities:

·        Work with the Community Development Worker (CDW) and co-facilitator to plan, implement, and evaluate evidence-informed programs for children, youth, adults and families at one or more of the community centres

·        Programs may be run in person or virtually

·        Work with co-facilitator to set up and maintain program space and manage program supplies

·        Lead activities and supervise the children and youth who participate in the programs

·        Assist Community Development Worker (CDW) in leading and coordinating neighbourhood food programs

·        Support the CDW with managing lineups, participant concerns and requests, and communicating behavioural expectations at food programs. Refer escalated conflict situations to the CDW

·        Support the CDW to work collaboratively with partners to identify, invite, and support participant access to programs

·        Complete administrative tasks related to the programs, including registration, record keeping and tracking expenses

·        Participate in program evaluation, including administering surveys and assist the Supervisor in reporting to funders (i.e. provide data, stories, pictures to supervisor)

·        Must adhere to food standards and health and safety practices

Job Specific Knowledge/Skills:

·        Strong leadership, communication, and group facilitation skills

·        Good organizational skills, including the ability to manage a schedule, create program plans, track registration and expenses

·        Ability to work effectively with people of various abilities and cultural and income backgrounds with an understanding of the challenges faced by children, youth, and families living on a low income

·        Ability to work effectively and supportively with individuals and groups

·        Ability to work effectively and collaboratively as part of a team of staff and volunteers

·        Ability to work independently with minimal supervision

·        Commitment to issues of poverty, and social justice

·        Lived experience of living in poverty or low income preferred

·        Interest in and understanding of community development principles preferred

·        Ability to speak in a language relevant to our communities is an asset

·        Experience working within a non-profit and/or social services environment preferred

·        Previous experience working with volunteers preferred

Education/Experience:

·        Must meet the following criteria to be an eligible candidate for this role:

1.      Be between 15 and 30 years of age at the start of the employment contract;

2.      Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the employment; and,

3.      Have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations.

4.      International students are not eligible participants. International students include anyone who is temporarily in Canada for studies and who is not a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person who has been granted refugee status in Canada.

·        High school diploma required

·        Some post-secondary training in social work, social sciences, recreation (or similar field) is an asset, with equal weight given to equivalent work experience

·        1 year previous experience working with children, youth and adults in a community development or social service role

·        1 year experience in program planning, implementation, facilitation and evaluation

Critical Skills:

•       Commitment to understand and uphold the mission and values of House of Friendship is expected

•       Exemplary emotional intelligence, resilience, communication, conflict management and problem solving skills required

•       Ability to work professionally as a team member with staff, participants and community members

•       Experience or strong interest in working with diverse populations including people from various cultural backgrounds, income levels, and sensitivity to their needs

•       Experience with and commitment to using an anti-racism, anti-oppressive and trauma informed approach to consultation, program design, evaluations of processes and service delivery

•       Must be dependable, professional, flexible, a team player, and have a positive attitude

•       Respectful, supportive and engaging approach to persons with physical and/or cognitive disabilities, addictions, mental illness and other life challenges

•       Excellent project, timeline and deadline management skills including skills in logistics, planning and detailed record keeping

Compensation:

At House of Friendship, we know that our team members are the key to the success of our organization and our ability to provide essential services to the community. In support of our mission and in alignment with our values, House of Friendship is committed to ensuring fair, market competitive, and rewarding compensation practices for all of our team members. We aspire to support our team members to create a great work environment where our team is able to thrive, succeed, and have a positive work experience.

House of Friendship compensation practices including our pay grid, have been developed using documented leading pay practices in the not-for-profit sector including Pathways to Decent Work (Ontario Nonprofit Network) and Ontario Living Wage Network. We value the experience that new team members bring to the organization and have a process in place to review previous related experience for placement on our pay grid.

We value the work that you do with fair pay and benefits:

·        Time off includes vacation pay and 2 personal days per year

·        Employee & Family Assistance Program

Rate of Pay:

At House of Friendship all compensation ranges are categorized under a series of “grades” and we base our payment structure on internal equity. When determining rate of pay, a candidate’s past related experience will be taken into consideration.

Grade: 3

Min: $20.08

Mid: $21.80

Max: $23.51

Working Conditions: 

•       Contract 30 hours per week

•       Must be able to lift 20-50 lbs. and stand for 3-4 hours at a time

•       Variable hours – generally daytime, weekday hours, occasional evenings and weekends

•       Work will generally be on site at community centres throughout the region of Waterloo

•       May encounter participants at program sites who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and/or experiencing symptoms of mental illness

House of Friendship is open and inviting to qualified candidates with lived experience.

House of Friendship supports justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace. We strive to be a workplace free of harassment and discrimination and we are committed to removing barriers and being an inclusive, work environment. House of Friendship is a place where each person can bring their true selves and feel that they belong. We aspire to be an organization that is anti-racist and anti-oppressive so that our team, and therefore our community, can truly belong and thrive.

We invite applications from all qualified candidates and actively encourage applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to accessing employment including, but not limited to Indigenous Peoples, members of racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

If you require accommodations to be able to participate fully at any stage in the recruitment process, including applying for this position, please let us know so that we can discuss accommodation options.  Accommodations will be provided upon request.

If you are as passionate as we are about serving the community, let’s talk.

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter here:

https://house-of-friendship.hirehive.com/community-service-worker-canada-summer-jobs-kitchener-on-P1BfoO

By end of day May 29, 2025.