Wayside Program Support Worker

The primary function of the Wayside Program Support Worker is to foster a sense of caring and community at the Wayside Center while performing the day-to-day tasks as listed below:

- Provide onsite presence at the Waterloo Wayside Centre from Tuesday-Friday, 11am-4pm
- Work with various program leads/coordinators as needed to ensure programs operate as planned
- Work with Program leads/coordinators to develop and communicate new processes to student interns, volunteers and attendees as needed
- Identify and communicate additional volunteer requirements to Volunteer Coordinator on the Wayside Operating Committee
- Raise issues as required to the Wayside Operating Committee or their designate

**Responsibilities (Bridgeport Café, Food Bag Program and ShareWear)**
- Understand and be able to perform the various volunteer roles (food prep, server, dish washer, clean up)
- Fill-in for various roles based on volunteer availability
- Monitor cleaning of refrigerators and stove
- Monitor Café checklists to ensure completion of all necessary procedures including closing
- Monitor compliance with cleanup procedures for rooms used for Wayside programs
- Liaise with an appointed Church contact for all issues related to daily operational issues
- Monitor quantity of takeout containers on hand and request additional items via donation by posting social media appeals, alerting the Church Administrator to make a request to the community
- Develop and maintain excellent relations and positive demeanor toward student interns, guests, co-workers, volunteers, community liaison officers (police), and all others who come into Wayside
- Share a list of related Needs Centers in the area also offering food, clothing, personal care items
- Ensure that volunteers and student interns are properly prepared for their roles and are performing them as instructed. If they are not performing in any helpful way, speak with Wayside Operating Committee or their designate
- Provide informal recognition and thanks to volunteers for their work
- Complete key administrative tasks with attention to detail

**Experience**:
Working with people in crisis and ability to de-escalate

Previous experience working with volunteers is an asset.

**Skill(s)**:

- Working as a flexible team member in a sometimes fast-paced environment
- Team building skills
- Basic skills in creating and posting social media content
- Working with people in crisis and ability to de-escalate
- Interpersonal communication skills (empathetic, respectful, culturally aware/sensitive)
- Functional written and spoken English communication skills using plain and clear language
- Knowledge of other languages an asset
- Empathetic listening skills

**Work Hours**: 20 hours per week, Tuesday -Friday 11:00am - 4:00pm

**Supervision/Oversight**: This position reports to the Wayside Operating Committee or their designate.

**Training Details**: On-site and pre-shift training provided

**Working Conditions**: Inside; may encounter individuals who are newcomers to Canada, experience mental health issues, mobility issues, poverty and addiction. Individuals may be under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol or experiencing symptoms of mental illness.

**Physical demands**: Mostly standing on a hard-surfaced floor and walking indoors, in a soup kitchen setting, frequently interacting with the guests you are serving, must be able to go up and down stairs multiple times per shift

**Transportation**: On a bus route

**Job Type**: Permanent

Pay: $21.30 per hour

Expected hours: 20 per week

**Benefits**:

- Casual dress
- On-site parking

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 2025-08-29
Expected start date: 2025-09-30