Employment Status: Part-Time Casual (Temporary)
✓ Pension
✓ Weekdays ✓ Weekends ✓ Days ✓ Mornings ✓ Afternoons ✓ Evenings ✓ Assigned Shift
Program Leader
Competition Number: 25302
Primary Work Location: RIM Park Manulife Sportsplex & Healthy Living Centre, Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex & Community Pavilion, Albert McCormick Community Centre, and Moses Springer
Posting Status: Internal & External Job Posting
Hourly Rate: $22.97
Number of Positions: 4 (Current Vacancies)
Employment Group: Non-Union
Job Status: Casual Part Time Temporary (up to 12 months)
Posting Release Date: June 23, 2026
Hours of Work: Up to 24 hours per week*
Posting Closing Date: July 12, 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 & 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.
- Substantial internal and external training and development opportunities.
- 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, Community Programming, your primary responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Assist with the monitoring and delivery of programs and activities for all ages within Recreation and Community Programming at the City of Waterloo, such as sports, fitness, and leisure programs.
- Plan, prepare and lead arts and crafts, games, drama, or reading based programs and activities for a variety participants including children, youth and seniors.
- Create an enjoyable experience for customers and serve as a positive role model for participants and other staff.
- Support participants with basic instructions and ensure participants behave in safe and cooperative manner throughout activities and programs.
- Maintain craft, game, toy, and any other program supply inventory; ensure supplies are thoroughly cleaned.
- Provide excellent customer service to program participants through direct interactions and engagement.
- Prepare, set-up, and take-down of equipment and supplies required for activities.
- Ensure that facilities and resources assigned for activities are maintained and ready for use.
- Maintain a clean, safe environment and identify and report any safety hazards or damage to equipment or the facility.
- Work cooperatively with other City staff and other partners to ensure successful delivery of programs; assist Programmer or Coordinator with program evaluations as required.
- Assess and respond to incidents, problems, and emergencies as required in accordance with policies and procedures.
- Provide routine activity summaries and document incident reports if required.
- Other duties as assigned.
What you will bring:
- Secondary school education or equivalent.
- Six (6) months experience in a community programming, child care or recreational setting.
- Experience working with various age groups and familiarity with municipal recreation departments is an asset.
- Exceptional customer services skills with ability to deal cooperatively, efficiently and effectively with co-workers, customers, and user groups.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
- Must be able to perform physical duties of the job including standing and walking for prolonged periods, lifting, and moving equipment.
- Working knowledge of computer programs, including MS Word, Excel, Outlook.
- Successful completion of High Five training an asset.
- Hours of work: A schedule is established at the beginning of each season (up to 24 hours per week), though flexibility may be required depending on operational and staffing needs. This position requires evening and weekend availability. Temporary contract for one (1) year.
Please note that this position requires access to reliable transportation as work hours may be outside of public transportation operations.
What we will require:
- A Vulnerable Sector Check satisfactory to the City.
- Proof of your current and valid certificate(s), licenses and/or educational qualification, if applicable.
- Standard First Aid with CPR C certification recognized by the Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) required or to be obtained at own expense within first month of employment.
Be You @ Waterloo (Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging):
The City of Waterloo acknowledges that our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe 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.
Our use of AI during recruitment:
Our applicant tracking system includes artificial intelligence (AI) features, such as tools that highlight relevant work history or suggest potential job matches. These features are built into the system and may be visible to staff. AI does not make any screening or hiring decisions, and all decisions about interviews and hiring are made by City staff in accordance with applicable City policies and procedures.
