Employment Status: Secondment (FT)
✓ Pension
✓ Weekdays
Anti-Racism and Equity Advocate
Competition Number: 24798
Primary Work Location: Waterloo City Centre*
Posting Status: Internal & External Job Posting
Hourly Range: $49.86 - $62.32 (Band F)
Number of Positions: 1 (Current Vacancy)
Employment Group: Staff Association
Job Status: Temporary Full Time (up to 7 months, with possibility of extension)
Posting Release Date: June 4, 2026
Hours of Work: 35 hours per week
Posting Closing Date: June 22, 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.
- 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 Director of Reconciliation, Equity, Accessibility, Diversity and Inclusion (READI), this position will support organizational accountability for forward movement on the City’s Get READI Plan. The Anti-Racism and Equity Advocate will be a leader in the development of a sustained process to identify, disrupt and eliminate systemic barriers, inequities and racism in the delivery of programs and services to the public, and will work to ensure equal access to opportunities through an inclusive and equitable service culture.
Your primary responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Lead and actively support equitable and inclusive service delivery and promote the rights of equity-denied groups and the elimination of social inequalities and systemic barriers within the organization.
- Work collaboratively across the organization to promote a shared understanding and values to address inequity, discrimination, racism and oppression, in support of the implementation of the actions and objectives outlined in the City’s Get READI Plan.
- Provide expertise and advice to assist senior leaders and managers to promote inclusive leadership, to incorporate anti-racist and equitable practices, and to address community needs in a way that considers the experience of equity-denied community members. This includes promoting accountability for measurable outcomes and fostering attitudes in support of anti-racism, equity and inclusion in our workplace.
- Establish and maintain strong, culturally informed, collaborative, trust-based relationships with community leaders, groups, and organizations.
- Collaborate with the READI team, management and staff on strategies to meaningfully engage members of the local community on issues impacting access, equity, inclusion, and elimination of barriers following best practices for equitable and inclusive engagement.
- Make recommendations to senior leadership regarding new municipal programs, initiatives, policies and procedures or changes to existing ones in support of anti-racist, equitable, and inclusive practices that advance the Get READI Plan.
- Lead/support the initiation of services that meet resident needs in collaboration with staff and management, including the provision of interpretation services.
- Act as a READI team liaison to City programs and initiatives that are aimed at addressing Reconciliation, Equity, Accessibility, Diversity and Inclusion for residents and employees.
- Oversee the logistics of the Affinity Groups Program for City employees by supporting and coordinating work with affinity group facilitators, tracking the program’s annual budget, evaluating the program’s outcomes, and communicating with staff and management about the program.
- Lead and/or support policy development, research, and evaluation activities designed to support Reconciliation, equity, accessibility, diversity and inclusion.
- Provide support in data collection and disaggregating data in collaboration with external research partners.
- Participate as a representative of the City of Waterloo on anti-racism, anti-oppression, and social justice work and initiatives across the broader regional community, including the Waterloo Region Immigration Partnership’s Belong Steering Group, the Rainbow Community Council, the Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan’s Combatting Hate Action Table, and other networks as needed.
- Collaborate with other levels of government and government organizations on relevant initiatives.
- Collaborate with other city divisions and external partners to develop and implement change using change management principles.
- Collaborate with Human Resources as required, to promote and support an inclusive work environment for all staff, including inclusive recruitment practices.
- Lead and/or support the planning and implementation of anti-racism and equity-focused training and education, and awareness events.
- Leads/supports the preparation of reports, presentations to Council, and communications to various internal and external partners.
- Assist in the development and delivery of annual reporting to the community.
- Support communications activities as needed.
- Other duties as assigned.
What you will bring:
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of various related legislation including the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the Ontario Health and Safety Act, and the Employment Standards Act.
- Demonstrated experience with anti-racism and anti-oppression organizational change management work.
- Critical analysis expertise and lived experience with regard to the intersections of systemic oppressions and the elimination of identity-based barriers and inequities.
- A minimum of 4 - 7 years’ progressive leadership and experience working in collaboration with equity-denied communities, with a post-secondary degree in a relevant area of study is considered an asset, however equivalent combinations of education and related experience will be considered.
- Demonstrated commitment to and understanding of human rights, anti-racism, and equity.
- Ability to foster strong, collaborative relationships and create feedback loops to inform direction of work and initiatives.
- Experience and skills in community development approaches, cross community outreach and engagement with a broad understanding of equity-denied groups.
- Strong awareness of persistent trends in anti-racism and social justice locally and nationally.
- Experience serving as a liaison to committees composed of community volunteers and/or staff.
- Skilled in presenting to internal and external groups, including sound judgement, effective facilitation, and managing difficult conversations.
- Proven success in leading community outreach activities with a person-centred approach to community engagement.
- Strong attention to detail, organization and project management skills.
- Experience in policy and program development, including planning, researching, implementation and evaluation.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively on a fast-paced team in a rapidly evolving.
- MS Office skills.
- 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.
What we will require:
- A Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check satisfactory to the City.
- Proof of your current and valid certificate(s), licenses and/or educational qualification, if applicable.
- Ability and willingness to travel between worksites and meeting locations, as necessary, utilizing reliable, safe and efficient methods of transportation is required to perform the job.
- Please note: Hybrid work eligibility will be in accordance with the City's Remote Working Procedure and Application Process.
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, 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 a 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.
Staff Association:
Qualified and eligible City of Waterloo Staff Association applicants will be considered first for this posting.
