Two positions open for tenant information and outreach workers with Social Development Centre Waterloo Region funded by the United Way Waterloo Region Communities. Evictions are an ever inreasing threat to tenants in Waterloo Region, and we are looking for outreach workers in Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge - starting at 25hrs per week. Please see the full posting below and email your resume and cover letter to admin@waterlooregion.org to Aleksandra Petrovic - the posting is open until the positions are filled. 

The administrative and operational tasks would be performed from home during the pandemic shut down:

• Development of the work plan and weekly reporting on the activities

• Creation and ongoing improvement of information materials regarding tenant supports, residential tenancies act, functioning of the Landlord & Tenant Board and tenants’ rights enforcement (both paper and electronic format)

• Collection of information and recording critical incidents regarding evictions and eviction prevention to support development of info sheets and online tenant supports navigation app

• Phone and Internet communication with tenants and information and referral supports

• Collaboration with other staff working on related projects (research, mapping, engagement and outreach, income security) 

The field tasks would be done with precautions and protective equipment (masks, gloves, sanitizers):

Bus pass and/or gas expenses will be covered.

• Visits and mapping of areas where tenants are reporting evictions, displacement and harassment 

• Posting of information and delivery of information material in buildings and other public posting boards

• Gradual engagement with all precautions and distancing in impacted buildings and areas to provide information or ensure connections to interpreters, agencies and housing supports, including municipal enforcement and Waterloo Region Community Legal Services. 

The qualifications required: 

• Recent experience in providing supports to tenant in a previous job

• Knowledge of the Landlord Tenancies Act, functioning of the Landlord and Tenant Board

• Skills in design of simple visual and clear language information material

• Facilitation and interviewing skills 

• Confidence working with email, text and spreadsheet applications, teleconferencing software

• Demonstrated communication skills with residents from underserved groups as well as municipal and non-profit service providers

Due to the equity-informed recruitment process the following would be considered as assets: 

• Speaking languages other than English

• Identifying with BIPOC or LGBTQ+ communities

• Lived experience of tenancy challenges or renovictions

• Community development in underserved and disinvested neighbourhoods