High School Leader

Applications for summer 2025 High School Leader positions open March 4th and close on March 18th. 

Summary

The Engineering Outreach department works to create excitement and interest in the world of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through hands-on initiatives. The programs are targeted at Youth in Grades K-12, Educators, and Undergraduate audiences. The main programs run out of Engineering Outreach are: 

  • Catalyst – High school programs 

  • Engineering Science Quest – Elementary and high school programs (esq.uwaterloo.ca) 

  • ESQube – In-school workshops 

  • Hive Mind – Tutoring for Grade 11-12 science and math courses 

  • Indigenous Youth Programs – On-campus and in-community initiatives for Indigenous youth 

  • Kids on Campus – On-campus field trip for Grade 4 students 

  • STEMpowered – On-campus and in-community initiatives for Black youth 

  • Women in Engineering – Girls, women and non-binary focused programs 

  • And more - Engineering Outreach looks to create opportunities for groups who have been historically underrepresented in STEM fields 

We are looking for passionate and driven High School Leaders to champion the promotion of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) to youth through hands-on, impactful programming. In this role, you will be integral to the success of Engineering Outreach’s ESQ and STEMpowered programs by leading engaging workshops and facilitating dynamic summer camps. Your leadership will be key to delivering high-quality experiences that meet our objectives and inspire the next generation of innovators. A successful spring term will be defined by your ability to deliver exceptional STEM programming and support the growth of these critical outreach initiatives. 

Please note: Most programs are planned to run in-person at the University of Waterloo’s Waterloo Campus and throughout the Region of Waterloo. 

Tentative Hours of Work 

Monday – Friday, occasional weekend work for one-off initiatives 

July/August: Shifts scheduled between 8:30am to 4:30pm totaling to 37.5 hours/week 

  1. Additional hours may be necessary to ensure that required tasks are completed on time and that camp is successful. 

  1. The incumbent may be expected to be at work between 7:30 to 8:00 am on Monday mornings to ensure success with Monday camp registration procedures. 

  1. Lunch breaks are 30 minutes. The timing of lunch breaks is determined by Engineering Outreach full-time staff. 

Lived Experience 

A primary focus of Engineering Outreach programming is to reach equity deserving groups who have been historically underrepresented in STEM fields; these equity deserving groups include Black Youth, Indigenous Youth, Girls and Non-binary Youth, Persons with Disabilities, Racialized Communities and Youth facing socioeconomic disadvantages. Candidates with lived experience in one or more of these communities are encouraged to apply for the position. 

Positions may be funded by Canada Summer jobs 

How to apply

To apply to any of the following jobs, please access the Application form below and include the following: 

  • A one page cover letter
  • Resume

Engineering Outreach will only consider complete applications and will not follow up with any candidates who submit incomplete applications. Interviews will take place in late March 2025. Only successful applicants will be contacted for an interview. 

If you have questions regarding the application process, please email us at engoutreach@uwaterloo.ca. 

Responsibilities

The High School Leader will support the delivery of the programs in which University Leaders have developed. The role requires High School Leaders to support the safety, supervision, and quality of content delivered to the youth in their programs. The High Leader is responsible for being a mentor to the volunteers in program preparation and delivery to ensure a successful experience for all. The High School Leader will have support from University Leaders, Team Leaders and Engineering Outreach full-time staff to ensure a successful summer! 

Delivery in July and August will either be on-campus at the University of Waterloo. 

Although the overarching responsibilities remain consistent, there are unique roles for the delivery of our programs. The different High School Leader roles are as follows:  

  • Engineering Science Quest (ESQ) – summer camps for Grade 3-9 youth; will hire based on Junior (Grade 2-5) and Senior (Grade 6-9) roles 

  • Floater – support all programs as a Floater based on need 

  • STEMpowered – summer camps for Grade 3-12 self-identifying Black youth 

Each High School Leader is expected to assist in all aspects of Engineering Outreach programs to cultivate a strong team environment. 

Required Skills

If you have most of the following, you'll be a great fit for us: 

  • Experience working with all youth, with emphasis on youth who have been historically underrepresented in STEM fields 

  • A background in STEM or education 

  • Great communication skills 

  • Genuine interest in getting youth excited about the world of STEM 

  • Experience with coding, breadboarding, software development, robotics etc. is an asset but not a requirement 

Expectations, Conduct and Behaviour

All Management and University Leader Staff must be fully trained in Standard First Aid and CPR. Engineering Outreach will arrange a training date and cover the cost of First Aid/CPR training for those who do not have a valid certification. Any First Aid training outside of the schedule time is the financial responsibility of the staff member. 

All Staff ages 18 or older are required to undergo an official Vulnerable Sector check and must submit proof of this by the end of their first day of employment with Engineering Outreach. Vulnerable Sector checks are the financial responsibility of the Staff. Engineering Outreach will not accept checks that were issued for work with other groups, pending the date of approval (< 6 months). Returning staff will also be required to produce new Vulnerable Sector Checks if there has been a gap in employment with Engineering Outreach.   

All Engineering Outreach Staff must comply with the guidelines and code as defined in the policy manual. A violation of policy may result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate termination of employment. 

At all times, Engineering Outreach staff will respect their fellow workers, as well as all University of Waterloo's faculty and staff. All University of Waterloo employees are bound to the applicable University of Waterloo policies, procedures and guidelines [http://www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infosec/Policies/Policies_alpha.html].

Compensation and Benefits

Employment begins Wednesday July 2, 2025, and continues until Friday August 22, 2025. It is anticipated that as a University Leader you will work a base number of 37.5 hours per week, at an hourly rate of $17.20 (in addition, 4% vacation pay is added to each pay cheque).  

Engineering Outreach may find it necessary to modify the number of weekly hours, depending on need. Where further reduction of hours is necessary, two weeks advance notice will be given. Salaries are paid monthly and are subjected to routine government deductions. As a casual employee with the University of Waterloo there are no vacation days for the duration of employment.