Caseworker (Employment & Income Support)

Job Number: 4239

Job Type: Temporary Part-Time

Vacancy Reason: Backfill

Temp Contract Length: Contract expected to end on February 5, 2027

Location: 99 Regina St S - Public Health & Community Serv

Job Category: Health Care and Social Assistance

Number of Positions: 1

Department: Employment and Income Support

Division: Community Services

Hours of Work: This positions works no more than 17.5 hours per week. The shifts are scheduled Thursdays and Fridays, and every other Wednesday.

Union: CUPE 1883

Grade: CUPE 1883 Grade 013

Salary Range: $42.12 - $47.72 per hour

About Us!

The Region of Waterloo is a thriving, diverse community committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations. Waterloo Region is part of the Dish with One Spoon wampum, a treaty guiding our commitment to:

• Taking only what we need
• Leaving some for others
• Keeping the dish clean

This agreement underpins our vision, mission, and core value, and reinforces our dedication to meaningful reconciliation and equity.

Waterloo Region is home to over 674,000 residents and expected to grow to nearly one million by 2051. Guided by our 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, “Growing with Care,” we prioritize homes for all, climate aligned growth, equitable services and opportunities and a resilient and future ready organization. Our mission is to provide essential services that enhance the quality of life for all residents, while our core value emphasizes caring for people and the land we share.

Join us and be part of a team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in our community.

The Role

Receives public inquiries and applications from clients and community agencies. Determines and authorizes social assistance (e.g., financial, employment, discretionary benefits, emergency assistance), and supports clients to achieve their goals through developing participation and employment plans (with employment referrals), with a focus on improved quality of life.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Determines clients’ initial and ongoing financial eligibility/ineligibility based on established legislation/criteria, and notifies clients regarding same. Informs clients regarding documentation requirements, next steps, and answers questions regarding eligibility.
• Schedules clients for appointments or delegates scheduling to support staff.
• Assesses, determines needs, and issues discretionary benefits for disability support (ODSP) clients and non-social assistance recipients with extraordinary needs. Coordinates requests with ODSP office, service providers, and vendors.
• Authorizes benefits and interim assistance based on social benefits tribunal orders.
• Uses the “quality of life framework” to facilitate/support clients to develop individual employment plans and outcome plans to assist in accessing needed resources and meeting Ontario Works (OW) or ODSP participation requirements. Meets with clients ongoing regarding same. Informs/instructs clients in employment planning, and explains career planning, customized training, and job search strategies to clients with varying levels of understanding and barriers to employment. Assesses client needs, skills, and barriers to employment and initiates and supports clients through referrals to internal and local community supports. Contacts third parties to make referrals, advocate, and access services for clients. Shares program information and concerns regarding client needs with community outreach workers.
• Provides support to ODSP pending clients. Assists to obtain information to support applications to ODSP. Advocates with medical professionals within timelines.
• Supports clients to follow through on participation and education requirements; verifies information through third parties; and imposes sanctions for non-compliance.
• Works with other community/government agencies to obtain/verify information and determine eligibility for underage clients.
• Reviews priority files prompted by provincial database to ensure clients are in receipt of correct OW assistance.
• Maintains client information in databases. Reviews system-calculated eligibility to ensure accuracy and reviews computer-generated reports. Performs manual calculations as required. Analyzes third party reports against client activity in databases to calculate eligibility.
• Calculates and documents change