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
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.
Staff Association:Qualified and eligible City of Waterloo Staff Association applicants will be considered first for this posting.
