Client Services Assistant

Support CHC food programs by securing community donations, preparing food items for market, and picking up surplus food donations from local partners.Community Healthcaring KW provides a broad range of services aimed at improving the health of individuals and the wider community. Our services include medical and dental care, health promotion, illness prevention and outreach programming. Our expertise and resources are focused on working with those who experience health inequities and barriers to accessing health services. Collaborating as an interdisciplinary team, we provide services and supports that address the social determinants of health including factors and barriers such as poverty, inadequate housing, food insecurity, substance use, language and culture, as well as stigma and social exclusion.

Community Healthcaring KW works with the most complex client population served by primary health care professionals within Waterloo Region. Our highly skilled and diverse team works from a strength-based approach with individual clients as well as the broader community. We collaborate with many partner agencies and organizations within Waterloo Region. Our team consists of Family Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Social Workers, Dietitians, Chiropodists, Pharmacists, Psychiatrists, Health Promoters, Community Health Workers, Administrative Staff and Volunteers.

We invite you to consider this opportunity to join our team and contribute to this important work.

The Health Centre is currently recruiting for the following position:

Job Title: Client Services Assistant - Food Program

Pay: $ $25.72 per hour

Full-Time Fixed Term Contract - FTE 1.0 until November 2025

Job Summary:

As part of the Health and Wellness Team at Community Healthcaring Kitchener-Waterloo (CHC) the Client Services Assistant will collaborate to build and implement programming that supports individuals and communities to reach their own goals. Programs will focus on participants gaining healthy habits while also building social networks that will persist into their future. In addition to assisting with health and wellness programs the Client Services Assistant will take a lead role in the Food Market, help volunteers and participate in social prescribing follow up at the Centre.

Community Program Responsibilities:

• To assist the Health and Wellness team with the coordination and co facilitation of various in person and community-based programs that focus on life-skill development, capacity building, volunteerism, and social networking.

• Help with program recruitment, registration, set up, community displays and program/service evaluations and client feedback at CHC.

• To support Health Promoter and Community Health Worker with social prescribing by using EMR (electronic medical records), performing follow up calls, entering data and program promotion within the CHC.

• Actively listen to and provide resources to clients who face barriers to services; older adults, refugees, families experiencing poverty, those who are unsheltered and people with mental health and addictions.

Food Program Responsibilities:

• Create a welcoming and accessible food market space for individuals especially those who experience food insecurity, exclusion from public spaces, are isolated or are new to attending centre programs.

• Support CHC food programs by securing community donations, preparing food items for market, and picking up surplus food donations from local partners.

• Establish and maintain community food system resources for staff and program participants.

• Organize food market demographic information and provide quarterly reports that will inform programs and services.

• Support Food Program volunteers and help create meaningful volunteer opportunities.

• Facilitate food-related groups that focus on life-skill development, capacity building, and social networking.

General Responsibilities:

• Participate in team and staff meetings and other meetings and committee work as appropriate to support both service delivery and organizational goals.

• Work from a Social Determinants of Health perspective to improve health outcomes for individual clients and/or for the development of community health and well-being, and to reduce health inequities.

• Work in a manner that ensures confidentiality, client safety and minimizes risk to clients, volunteers, and the Centre.

• Work in a manner consistent with the Health Centre's Vision, Mission, and Values.

• Work in a manner consistent with the Health Centre's policy and commitment to Diversity,

• Equity and Inclusion in all processes and practices.

• Work in a manner that demonstrates self-reflection and personal accountability.

• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both written and verbally.

• Adhere to appropriate infection control practices including those related to Covid -19.

• Maintain status of fully vaccinated.

• Perform any other duties as assigned by your supervisor.

Accountability:

This position reports to: Manager Health Wellness

Qualifications:

• Post-secondary school education in social services, social work, mental health, community development, or equivalent.

• Personal experience with food insecurity and/or awareness of issues faced by those experiencing food insecurity.

• Experience running groups, working with volunteers, providing one to one client support, and community resource sharing.

• Desire to create accessible food programming, dedication to food equity and awareness of the Canadian Food Guide

• Exemplary emotional intelligence, communication, conflict management, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to lift 30 lbs.

• Experience working effectively with culturally and economically diverse populations, those who experience barriers to healthcare and who are socially isolated.

• Training and/or specific experience with non-violent crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques an asset.

• Good organization and time management skills.

• Familiarity with social service and health programs and systems in Kitchener and Ontario.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in English, both written and verbally.

• Second language is an asset.

• Competency in the use of a Microsoft Office Suite.

• Ability to work collaboratively.

• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

• Maintain a valid driver's license, access to a reliable personal vehicle and adequate insurance for work-related travel in accordance with Community Healthcaring KW

• Ability to obtain a Police Vulnerable Sector Check satisfactory to the Health Centre.

• 2-Factor Authentication for Outlook is App based (Microsoft Authenticator Application) and used to ensure the security of our online accounts. 2-FA requires the use of a personal mobile device with a recent operating system.

Benefit package:

• Paid Vacation Leave: 3 weeks
• Paid Public Holidays & Sick Leave
• Optional Defined Benefit Pension Plan (through HOOPP)
• Extended health and dental insurance
• Employee Assistance Plan

Application Deadline: November 7, 2025

Schedule:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 9:00am to 5:00pm

Wednesday 9:00am to 5:00pm and/or 12:00pm- 8:00pm

Friday 8:00am- 4:00pm

The Health Centre values the diversity of its staff and welcomes applications from people of all races, ethnicity, religions, culture, sexual orientation, gender identity and those with disabilities.

Individuals with a disability requiring accommodation during the application and/or the interview process should contact so that suitable arrangements can be made.

Personal information submitted will only be used for the purposes of this recruitment process.

We appreciate all expressions of interest; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.