Job Description

Employment Status: Contract >6 months (FT)





? Pension


? Weekdays ? Days

Homelessness and Unsheltered Senior Advisor

Competition Number:

20213

Primary Work Location:

Waterloo City Centre*

Posting Status:

Internal/External Job Posting

Hourly Rate:

$95,568 - $119,457 (Band E)

Number of Positions:

1

Employment Group:

Staff Association

Job Status:

Temporary 24-month Contract

Posting Release Date:

Monday, October 27, 2025

Hours of Work:

35 hours/week

Posting Closing Date:

Sunday, November 16, 2025

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'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 Flexible work schedules, paid vacation and personal days, and the opportunity to bank overtime 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 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:

Reporting to the Director in the Community Programming and Outreach Services Division, your primary responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:


Support Divisional and City-wide priorities by providing leadership and expert guidance on organizational initiatives related to homelessness, unsheltered and housing stability, grounded in a human rights approach. Collaborate and coordinate with community partners, outreach teams, enforcement, and other City divisions to respond to City encampments in ways that centre dignity, safety, and trauma-informed practice. Lead and act as a key contact to internal and external partners for the development and implementation of key policies, procedures, and strategies to support the City's response to homelessness and encampments in alignment with Regional strategies and action plans. Support the development of a collaborative internal response system and associated operational procedures to issues that arise within encampments on City of Waterloo property. Represent the City in external meetings with a wide and diverse range of partners and community agencies related to homelessness, shelter care, encampments, and other community safety issues. Foster relationships and actively participate at a system level to advocate for improved outcomes for the diversity of communities and individuals experiencing homelessness. Lead internal operational and strategic meetings about homelessness, encampments, or related emerging issues. Work collaboratively with internal Divisions (including Corporate Security, Parks, Recreation Services, READI) to develop strategies that balance community safety with the rights, dignity, and needs of residents experiencing homelessness, including encampment residents. In collaboration with internal partners, build capacity, source and provide education and consultation with respect to homelessness, mental health and addiction in an effort to reduce stigma and discrimination. Work collaboratively with Municipal Enforcement Service to provide feedback into the development of a landlord and tenant information package. Support the development of an internal process for connecting tenants at risk of eviction to information and available supports. Track and monitor financial expenditures, grant applications, and resource allocation. Provide timely and consistent communication and response to Senior Leadership and Council on emerging trends and potential concerns within the City; Prepare and submit project and staff reports for senior leadership and Council. Work with Communications to develop public-facing materials in plain language and accessible formats, ensuring transparency in the City's approach. Maintain up to date records of encampment locations, site assessments, and intervention efforts. Analyze trends, patterns and best practices to inform policy decisions as needed, ensuring voices and lived experience inform policy and program development; support data driven decision making. Conduct site visits to encampments, as needed, to assess conditions and support continuous system improvements. Ensure operational procedures are aligned with City policies and work with Legislative Services where required to ensure compliance with applicable Provincial and Municipal legislation, including accessibility and safety legislation, privacy legislation as well as all relevant safe work practices. This role will require the ability to be on-call, with flexibility to adjust work schedule after hours as necessary to address urgent matters. Other duties as assigned.

What you will bring:

Completion of a University degree in a related field (Public Administration, Social Planning, Health, Social Sciences, etc.) with a minimum five (5) years' experience in homelessness response, community outreach, or social services, working with individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health and addictions, concurrent disorders, and proven understanding of the principles of trauma-informed care and harm reduction, with additional two (2) years' experience providing strategic direction, leadership and advisement. Equivalent combinations of education and professional and/or lived experience will be considered. Deep understanding of the complexities associated with homelessness, including social, economic, and psychological factors A commitment to promoting social justice and equity is essential, as is a readiness to engage both directly with the unsheltered community and in broader community outreach efforts Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills fostering trust and engaging with diverse community members and partners Understanding of intersectional barriers faced by 2SLGBTQIA+, racialized, newcomer, youth, and older adult populations experiencing homelessness Ability to work in outdoor and unpredictable environments at encampment sites and other community locations Current knowledge of health inequities and social determinants of health Knowledge of relevant issues and trends as related to housing and homelessness General knowledge and understanding of eviction as a pathway to homelessness, available services to prevent eviction and the Residential Tenancies Act 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 Ability to handle sensitive situations with professionalism, empathy, and discretion Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify risks and implement mitigation strategies Experience in data entry and analysis Experience establishing, building and sustaining strategic organizational and intergovernmental partnerships to assess and adapt programs to meet the needs of diverse and marginalized communities Demonstrated cultural sensitivity awareness and skills Experience working with Indigenous communities and awareness of colonial impacts on housing and homelessness would be considered an asset Considerable experience in advisory and consultation processes involving Councilors, staff, external partners and community members Ability to achieve alignment and support on new approaches or change initiatives Skilled in writing complex reports for senior leadership Highly developed communication (written and oral) and presentation skills with the ability to communicate persuasively and effectively at all organizational levels Proven ability to lead change management initiatives Highly developed strategic, organizational, analytical and conceptual thinking skills with the capacity to understand complex operating and policy issues Knowledge of City policies, by-laws, and relevant legislation including Employment Standards Act, Human Rights Code, and Occupational Health and Safety Act 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

Please note that this position requires access to reliable transportation as frequent travel is required.*

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, Anishnaabe 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 recruitment@waterloo.ca, 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.

Staff Association:

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