Community Health Worker

About Community Healthcaring Kitchener-Waterloo (The Health Centre)

The Health Centre 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.

The Health Centre 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:

Community Health Worker

Full-time Fixed Term Contract (6 Months) – 1.0 FTE

Salary: $27.96 – 33.68 per hour

Job Summary:

The Community Health Worker will collaborate with CHC colleagues to build and implement programming that supports individuals and communities to reach their own goals. Programs will focus on participants gaining not only healthy habits but also building healthy social networks that will persist into their future. The CHW will ensure Community Healthcaring KW’s programming responds to the needs of our priority populations, especially marginalized groups.

Responsibilities:

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Plan, implement, and facilitate groups that focus on life-skill development and social networking.

• Create a safe space that ensures group guidelines are followed and provide support to clients during program participation, including helping manage distress and navigate emotional responses.
• Support the Social Prescribing referral pathway by collaborating with H&W team members and other CHC teams to facilitate appropriate referrals, strengthen internal connections, and support client and community needs.

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Contribute to a monthly program calendar and promotional materials to share within the center and the broader community and on social media.

• Work collaboratively with Volunteer Coordinator to provide ongoing support and supervision to volunteers who will be placed in various programs throughout the CHC.

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Work from a Determinants of Health and client-centered perspective to assist in building clients' capacity while meeting personal goals.

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Establish and maintain knowledge of community resources and build strong relationships with external agencies and partners.

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Maintain accurate health records and up to date notes in the Electronic Medical Record in a timely manner and adheres to all CHCKW policies and Privacy legislation.

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Gather and provide community reports to the organization on local community demographics that will inform programs and services.

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Maintain current knowledge of community health programming practices and use that information to inform Community Healthcaring KW programs and services.

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Collaborate with the Community Healthcaring KW team to develop, implement and evaluate programs and services.

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Identify and manage program resources. Develop and monitor operating budgets for assigned projects/programs and ensure expenditures remain within budget.

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Establish and maintain links with and develop partnerships with other agencies.

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Work during both regular and extended hours (evenings/weekends) and in locations within Kitchener to be determined by Community Healthcaring KW.

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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.

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

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Work individually and collaboratively in the development and implementation of quality improvement initiatives and activities

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Work in a manner that preserves privacy and confidentiality.

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

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Work in a manner consistent with the Health Centre’s Vision, Mission and Guiding Principles

• Work in a manner consistent with the Health Centre’s policy and commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in all processes and practices.

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Work in a manner that demonstrates self-reflection and personal accountability for work performance.

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Adhere to all Health Centre policies.

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Adhere to appropriate infection control practices.

• Perform any other duties as assigned by your supervisor.

Accountability

This position reports to: Manager of Health & Wellness

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in a related field or social services, social work, mental health, community development, recreation therapy, adult education, or relevant discipline
• Minimum of three years of community development experience
• Skilled in providing compassionate helping skills and/ or assistance to individuals experiencing mental health and addiction-related challenges.
• Extensive experience in program planning and evaluation, community organizing techniques, and group facilitation.
• Awareness of the Index of Well-Being and the impact social isolation has on the health of clients and community participants.
• Exemplary emotional intelligence, communication, conflict management, emotional regulation, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience working with and supporting volunteers is considered an asset.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively.
• Experience and strong interest in working with culturally, economically, and socially diverse populations.
• Familiarity with social service and health programs, services, and systems in Waterloo Region.
• Proficiency in Canva or other design software and social media platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as an effective member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Proven experience leveraging community partnerships and collaborative projects.
• Ability to work collaboratively.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Excellent English written and oral communication skills. Second language is an asset.
• Commitment to working within client-centered, social determinants of health framework.
• Proficiency in the use of computers and various software programs including Microsoft Office, email, and Internet.
• Ability to obtain a Police Vulnerable Sector Check satisfactory to the Health Centre.

Benefit package

3 weeks paid vacation to start

Comprehensive Health Benefits

Employee & Family Assistance Program

Optional Defined Benefit Pension Plan (HOOPP)

Hours:

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

Wednesday: 9:00am- 5:00pm or 12:00pm-8:00pm

Friday: 8:00am- 4:00pm

Application Deadline: October 30th, 2026

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 advise humanresources@healthcaringkw.org 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. This is an open position