Employment Status: Contract >6 months (FT)
✓ Pension
✓ Weekdays ✓ Weekends ✓ Evenings
NORC Community Connector (Special Project)
Competition Number: 25933
Primary Work Location: Waterloo City Centre
Posting Status: Internal & External Job Posting
Hourly Range: $36.17 - $45.22 (Band I)
Number of Vacancies: 1 (Current Vacancy)
Employment Group: Staff Association
Job Status: Temporary Full-time (Up to 6 months)
Posting Release Date: July 27, 2026
Hours of Work: 35 hours/week
Posting Closing Date: August 7, 2026
Why work with us:
The City of Waterloo is a rewarding place to work. Each day, you will support and/or participate in the delivery of services that impact residents of this city, making it a great place to live, work and play for everyone.
Home to two world-class universities, a top-ranked college, a tech ecosystem, entrepreneurs and small businesses, there is a readiness to do things differently in Waterloo. Our vision is to be a leader in sustainability and to build a future-ready community for all. We are committed to workplace wellbeing and providing an inclusive, safe and enjoyable work environment.
For more information about the City of Waterloo’s Strategic Plan, Vision, Values and Guiding Principles, please click here: City of Waterloo 2023-2026 Strategic Plan.
What we offer:
- Supportive and caring organization that promotes respect, inclusivity, sustainability, health, safety and wellness.
- Dedication to the organization’s commitment for Reconciliation, Equity, Accessibility, Diversity and Inclusion through ongoing training and access to related programs and workshops, opportunities to connect with others around topics of social justice and equity, and opportunities to be involved with the initiatives that guide this corporate journey.
- A commitment to environmental sustainability as demonstrated in many plans and policies. For example, we are working towards reducing our corporate greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050, with real progress underway.
- Certification as a Living Wage Champion.
- Defined Benefit Pension Plan (OMERS) eligibility for all employees.
- Up to 10 paid Reservist Leave days per year, with single contribution OMERS buyback option for any unpaid time.
- Easy and sustainable commuting options through the TravelWise program, which offers public transit discounts and a dedicated carpool network for employees.
- Substantial internal and external training and development opportunities along with opportunities to get involved and give back to the community.
- Enjoyable employee-wide events, activities, site visits, BBQs to connect with co-workers.
- Complimentary FitPass for access to leisure, swim, and fitness drop-in programs for employees and family members.
…And so much more!
What you will do:
Reporting to the Supervisor, Neighbourhood Services in the Community Programming and Outreach division, your primary responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Act as a local champion for Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs) integrating community programming and wellness supports into buildings that have a high density of aging adults.
- Work to build and maintain relationships of trust, empathy, and mutual support with older adults in a thriving resident-led community.
- Work collaboratively with internal and external partners to support community volunteers with project outcomes and sustainability.
- Lead and support best practices in training, development, and capacity building opportunities with older adult NORC leaders (referred to as NORC Ambassadors).
- Develop new partnerships and relationships with NORC buildings in Waterloo, acting as a contact for the building’s management team and interested volunteers for matters relating to NORC Ambassadors.
- Support resident leaders to plan, develop, organize, and coordinate in-building programming, responding to the needs of older adults, liaising with local service partners, and facilitating inclusive community building activities with neighbours.
- Collaborate with leading agencies and leverage best practices in the field of community development and NORC Supportive Service Programs, particularly the NORC Innovation Centre at University Health Network in Toronto.
- Work with residents to support the development and enhancement of governance and volunteerism in each building (i.e. NORC Ambassadors and a NORC/Social Committee) while co-designing resources and procedures that can be shared across NORCs.
- Collaborate with appropriate community, health, and social service partners to support the integration of NORC programs and services.
- In collaboration with NORC Ambassadors and property managers, support the discovery of residents’ health, social, and wellness needs (i.e. through focus groups and/or needs assessment surveys), including annual check-ins with current residents.
- Ensure that navigation resources are available to assist NORC Ambassadors and/or older adults with their wellness, community support, and information needs; connect to appropriate services as needed.
- Support participatory decision-making and co-design processes, engaging older adult residents of NORCs in the co-design of digital tools, surveys, resources, and educational materials.
- Work with internal and external partners to ensure NORC webpages on the City’s website feature current materials including a map of NORC buildings in Waterloo, links to resources, and templates for starting new NORCs.
- Facilitate and chair a local Community of Practice to bring together NORC Ambassadors for shared learning and community development.
- Facilitate and report on satisfaction and outcome surveys as part of the project deliverables.
- Complete a final report summarizing project outcomes.
- Monitor and ensure project outcomes are being delivered in a safe and healthy environment, that the City of Waterloo policies and procedures are followed, and that the project deliverables are in compliance with accessibility and safety legislation, privacy legislation, as well as all relevant safe work practices.
- Other duties as assigned.
What you will bring:
- Post-secondary diploma in Recreation and Leisure, Gerontology, Social Work, Volunteer Management, or related field.
- Minimum two (2) years experience working with older adults in community settings, with a focus on community development or building volunteer connections in and among older adults. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
- Demonstrated leadership skills, including problem-solving, critical thinking, conflict resolution, and the ability to understand social dynamics and navigate emerging tensions, effectively persuade/influence the behavior of others.
- Comfortable with emergent ideas, rapid change, and working with changing priorities and timelines.
- Demonstrated cultural sensitivity awareness and skills.
- Clear and effective communication (written and oral), organizational, conceptual and interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated creativity and proven initiative in recreation programming and event planning including stages of engagement, development, implementation, and evaluation.
- Knowledge of health and community support services within the Waterloo area.
- Knowledge of applicable legislation, policies and practices.
- Experience with group facilitation is an asset.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Proficient computer skills (MS Office, Excel, Word).
- A passion for promoting and maintaining a healthy and safe workplace and the ability to work respectfully and effectively in a team environment.
- Strong commitment to delivering quality customer service.
- Demonstrated commitment to Reconciliation, Equity, Accessibility, Diversity and Inclusion.
What we will require:
- A Police Vulnerable Sector Check satisfactory to the City.
- Proof of your current and valid certificate(s), licenses and/or educational qualification, if applicable.
Hours of work: This position will be required to attend evening or weekend meetings and events with community representatives, conduct public engagements, and support other activities of the Community and Neighbourhood Services Team. Scheduling flexibility is required and equivalent time off during weekdays will be granted on a 1:1 ratio for hours worked evenings and weekends.
Be You @ Waterloo (Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging):
The City of Waterloo acknowledges that our work takes place on the land traditionally cared for by the Haudenosaunee, Anishnaabe and Chonnonton Peoples, and is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. The City is dedicated to advancing the organization’s commitment to Reconciliation, Equity, Accessibility, Diversity and Inclusion and to reducing barriers to employment opportunities. Applications from members of historically underrepresented groups, including Black, Indigenous, racialized communities, women, persons with disabilities and members of 2SLGBTQIA+ are encouraged for positions at all levels within the organization. Candidates from historically underrepresented groups are encouraged to self-identify in their application.
Accommodations are available throughout all stages of the recruitment process in accordance with the Human Rights Code and other applicable legislation. We encourage applicants to access support(s) that may be needed. To request accommodation during the application process, please email [email protected], quoting the position and competition number. Applicants advancing to the next stages of the recruitment process will be provided with additional opportunities to make their needs known.
Staff Association:
Qualified and eligible City of Waterloo Staff Association applicants will be considered first for this posting.
