Employment Status: Summer Student (Full-Time)
✓ Pension
✓ Weekdays ✓ Days ✓ Assigned Shift
Camp Leader
Competition Number: 21029
Primary Work Location: Albert McCormick Community Centre (AMCC), RIM Park, Waterloo Memorial Recreation Centre (WMRC)
Posting Status: Internal & External Job Posting
Salary/Hourly Range: $23.24 (Band O)
Number of Positions: Up to 3 (current vacancies)
Employment Group: Non-Union
Job Status: Temporary Full Time (Summer 2026)
Posting Release Date: May 29, 2026
Hours of Work: Up to 40 hours / week
Posting Closing Date: June 5, 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’re 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.
- 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.
- Enjoyable employee-wide events, activities, site visits, BBQs to connect with coworkers.
- 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:
The City of Waterloo is committed to offering summer camp programs to children and youth of all abilities. Successful candidates will provide safe and high-quality camp activities for groups of up to 40 campers aged 4-14. Individuals will work in noisy and busy camp environments responding to multiple competing priorities each day.
Mandatory training dates and times are:
June 6, 7 and 20, 2026 from 9:00am to 5:00pm
June 19 and 22, 2026 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm
July 15, 2026 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Camp programs begin June 29, 2026 and run up to August 28, 2026. Each camp leader will receive one week of time off when their respective camp is on a break week during the middle of the summer. Successful candidates will be informed of their week off by the end of February.
Reporting to the Manager, Community Programming in the Community Programming and Outreach Services Division, your primary responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Leads a variety of camp activities each day for children aged 4-14 years such as crafts, games, outdoor and water play.
- Ensure camper safety and supervision at all times during the camp day including pick up/drop off, programming time, transition spaces, washroom usage and during off-site trips.
- Respond to competing priorities simultaneously throughout the camp day, often re-prioritizing tasks based on camper needs multiple times in a day.
- Provide feedback related to performance of peers and Camp Coordinator in mid and end of summer evaluations.
- Ensures accurate and timely completion of administrative tasks such as maintaining records, attendance tracking, program readiness logs and accident reports.
- Ensure the safe storage of confidential forms such as camper consent forms and support strategy forms.
- Assist in the creation of theme-based camp activities including but not limited to theme centers, outdoor play, water days, crafts and games.
- Notify Camp Coordinator when supplies are running low and need to be restocked.
- Mentor and evaluate a team of youth volunteers ensuring their safety, development and adherence to City policies and procedures.
- Attend scheduled training and program promotional events as required.
- Collaborate with internal staff teams such as Recreation Services, Business Services, Custodial, Operations, Inclusion Services and Customer Service teams.
- Closely work with Inclusion Support Workers to implement strategies to support campers with unique needs.
- Assist Inclusion Support Workers during a behavioural crisis by directing campers to an alternative program space quickly and safety.
- Utilize calming techniques, behavioural strategies and reward charts regularly throughout each day.
- Ensure the safety and emotional, physical, social and mental well-being of all participants.
- Appropriately communicates and documents concerns while upholding confidentiality in a timely manner.
- Communicates participant successes, behavioural changes and concerns to families.
- Professionally respond to customer inquiries and concerns at pick up/drop off.
- Reports safety and well-being concerns regarding participant and/or employee health to Community Leisure Programmer.
- Willingness to wear provided Personal Protective Equipment (i.e. disposable gloves, protective arm guards).
- Initiates emergency response procedures such as Emergency Codes when required.
- Performs first aid, CPR and emergency safety protocols as required.
- Demonstrate a strong customer service orientation, responding promptly to participant and family inquiries, when possible, refers further issues and concerns to appropriate supervisory staff.
- Ensures programs and program spaces are accessible and barrier free for participants.
- Adhere and ensure Summer Camp Leaders adhere to health and safety guidelines (i.e. Occupational Health and Safety, Duty to Report, Accessibility Legislation, Public Health Regulations and City of Waterloo Policies and Procedures).
- Ensure work is performed in a safe manner according to health and safety guidelines and procedures.
- Able to perform all the responsibilities of a camp leader, providing in-program coverage when needed.
- Evening and weekend hours are occasionally required.
- Other duties as assigned.
What you will bring:
- Must have completed a minimum of Grade 10 high school education.
- A minimum of 1 year of work experience leading activities for children, ideally within a municipal setting.
- A minimum of 6 months of experience mentoring youth and/or volunteers.
- Experience working with children with a disability is an asset.
- Clear and effective professional communication (written and oral), organizational and interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated ability to respond to behavioural concerns utilizing de-escalation techniques.
- Capable of performing the physical demands of the position, including standing for long periods of time, running, walking, bending, and kneeling on a regular basis.
- Comfortable standing and supervising campers in shallow end of aquatic pools is considered an asset.
- Demonstrated enthusiasm for providing a compassionate participant-centered approach.
- A patient and resilient approach to take each day as a new opportunity.
- A positive and adaptable mindset is required.
- Strong time management and organization skills with the ability to effectively manage competing demands and conflicting priorities and issues.
- Possess critical thinking skills, sound decision making and a collaborative approach.
- Demonstrated ability to confidently and effectively respond to emergency situations.
- 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.
- Ability and willingness to travel between worksites, as necessary, utilizing reliable, safe and efficient methods of transportation is required to perform the job.
What we will require:
- A Police Vulnerable Sector Check satisfactory to the City.
- Current Standard First Aid, CPR Level-C and AED certifications.
- High Five Principles of Healthy Childhood Development Certification.
- Proof of your current and valid certificate(s), licenses and/or educational qualification, if applicable.
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 Chonnonton, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee 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.
As part of the recruitment process, personal information, including demographic information, is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c.25, Sec. 28(2) and will be used to assist the City in developing strategies which support our commitment to attracting and recruiting a diverse workforce, reflecting the community we serve. We are committed to maintaining the confidentiality of the information gathered in this questionnaire. However, it may be used to inform hiring decisions in alignment with the City's Recruitment Policy or disclosed as required by law. If you have any questions regarding this collection, please contact the Manager, Employee Relations, City of Waterloo, 265 Lexington Court, Waterloo, ON, N2J 4A8 (519) 886-2310.
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.
