Position Title: Program Coordinator
Work Hours: 32 hours per week
Weekly Schedule Breakdown:
The majority of time must be onsite in order to coordinate and support programs.
- Mondays: 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm (Onsite program delivery)
- Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays:
- 9:00 am – 11:00 am (Communication, Administration & Outreach)
- 11:00 am – 4:00 pm (Onsite program operations & coordination)
- Thursdays:
- 10:00 am – 11:00 am (Communication & Administration)
- 11:00 am – 6:00 pm (Onsite program operations & afternoon logistics)
Wage: $23.00 per hour (Aligned with the Waterloo Region Living Wage)
Reports To: Board Designate
Location: Onsite (Emmanuel United Church, 22 Bridgeport Road West, Waterloo, ON)
About Waterloo Wayside
Waterloo Wayside is an Uptown Waterloo community hub dedicated to "Building and Nurturing INTEGRATED Communities." Through essential food services, clothing exchanges, educational programs, and open drop-in spaces, we support local neighbours from all walks of life—including those experiencing marginalized, unhoused, or isolated realities.
We operate on the principles of Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD). Rather than a top-down service model, our programs focus on mutual support and relationship-building. We see every guest, volunteer, and staff member as an equal contributor with unique assets, aiming to create a community where the lines between "helper" and "receiver" disappear.
Position Purpose
The Program Coordinator supports the daily operations of Waterloo Wayside by working collaboratively with volunteers, students, partners, and Program Leads. This position fosters a welcoming, caring, and deeply respectful environment centered on human dignity. The role balances direct community engagement in our core programs with critical administrative coordination, partner communication, and youth logistics for our newly expanded JUMP Math after-school program.
Core Responsibilities
1. Daily Program & Operational Support
- Onsite Presence: Maintain a consistent, supportive presence during all core program hours.
- Crisis De-escalation: Apply proven de-escalation practices to assist in emotionally charged situations with dignity, boundaries, and compassion.
- Program Continuity: Coordinate with various volunteer program leads to ensure daily initiatives run smoothly. This includes the Bridgeport Café drop-in meal program, the ShareWear Clothing Exchange, and Chair Yoga for Healthy Aging.
- Operational Flexibility: Address operational issues across programs when specific leads are unavailable, stepping into volunteer roles when necessary. Assist with food truck deliveries and onsite logistics as required.
2. Volunteer Coordination & Management (ABCD Approach)
- Scheduling & Support: Oversee volunteer coordination to ensure consistent, appropriate staffing levels are maintained across all daily programs.
- Orientation & Mentorship: Ensure community volunteers and students from local universities and high schools are properly prepared for their roles, briefed on processes, and performing duties as instructed. Cultivate an inclusive environment that empowers guests who want to transition into volunteer roles.
- Recognition: Provide informal, positive feedback and ongoing recognition to volunteers for their vital contributions.
3. Building & Shared-Facility Coordination
- Primary Contact: Act as the primary Wayside contact with building staff during onsite emergencies.
- Partner Liaison: Notify Emmanuel United Church contacts regarding facility issues and communicate building-related alerts to the co-located Waterloo Cooperative Preschool and Church office staff.
- Compliance: Monitor cleanup, food safety, and kitchen cleaning checklists to ensure completion of all closing procedures.
- Supplies: Track supply levels for takeout containers, hygiene units, and essential operational materials.
4. JUMP Math After-School Program Administration
- Student Logistics: Manage student registrations, process intake documentation, and maintain updated student rosters.
- Daily Operations: Oversee daily program logistics, directly managing student attendance, structured arrival protocols, and organized dismissal/parent pick-up processes.
- Tutor Management: Coordinate and facilitate training for volunteer math tutors. (Note: Curriculum and academic leadership are managed separately by a paid Math Curriculum Lead).
5. Administration, Development & Outreach
- Food Bank Coordination: Partner with the Food Bank of Waterloo Region to coordinate the weekly Thursday Food Bag Program, ensuring accurate documentation and allocation of data.
- Reporting: Assist the Board Chair with data collection, research, drafting, and design for the Annual Report and Impact Report.
- Grants Support: Provide administrative assistance to the Grants Committee, compiling information and organizing data for funding applications.
- Public Communications: Manage organizational correspondence and enhance Wayside’s public visibility through active social media management.
- Process Documentation: Identify, define, and document operational processes to recommend efficiency improvements to the Operating Committee.
Working Conditions & Physical Demands
- Environment: A fast-paced, community service environment. Onsite work involves frequent interaction with diverse and marginalized populations, including seniors, new Canadians, individuals facing language barriers, or those experiencing poverty, addiction, housing instability, unsheltered life, and mental health crises.
- Physical Demands: Requires prolonged standing, walking on hard-surfaced floors, and navigating stairs multiple times per shift within a busy service/kitchen environment.
- Transit: Conveniently located directly on a public transit route in Uptown Waterloo.
Skills, Qualifications & Training
- Experience: Documented experience working with and supporting vulnerable populations, navigating crisis de-escalation, and coordinating volunteers.
- Core Philosophy: Alignment with Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) principles and a commitment to nurturing an inclusive, loving community environment.
- Core Competencies: Strong administrative capability, exceptional organizational skills, empathetic listening, and culturally sensitive interpersonal communication.
- Digital Communications & Content Management: Proficient in managing and creating engaging content for social media channels (such as Facebook and Instagram) alongside basic experience updating text, images, and posts on a WordPress website.
- Technical Skills: Basic proficiency in office software (word processing, spreadsheets).
- Police Check: A valid and current Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) is strictly required due to direct engagement with youth and marginalized groups.
- Required Certifications/Training: Candidates must hold or be willing to immediately complete training in:
- Food Safety Training Certification (e.g., Safe Food Handlers)
- First Aid and CPR
- Narcan/Naloxone overdose recognition and response
- Crisis De-escalation
How to Apply
Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your experience with community programs, volunteer coordination, and your understanding of asset-based community work to [email protected]. Please indicate "Program Coordinator Application" in the subject line.
Prior to submitting your application, please take time to review our website at www.waterloowayside.org to familiarize yourself with our mission, programs, and community philosophy.
Application Deadline: Friday, July 10, 2026
Target Start Date: Tuesday, August 4, 2026
Waterloo Wayside is an equal opportunity employer. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Pay: $23.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Discounted or free food
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
