Hey Ottawa, meet Waiss Wacays [whys wahk-eyes]. Waiss is a 20-year-old student who has a big smile but even bigger dreams. We spoke with him recently about his part-time job with the City of Ottawa’s Recreation and Cultural Services Department, and his plans for the future.
“Officially, my title is ‘Specialist, Introductory Sport’ but I think it’s important to mention that sports are only a small part of what I do,” says Waiss. “Some days I’m working an after-school shift as a program leader where I get to implement programs for children. Some days I’m working the front desk taking client registrations, and some days I’m teaching basketball!”
It’s pretty evident once you start chatting with Waiss that he loves his job. He started with the City after being a part of the Youth Futures program and when the pandemic hit in 2020, it impacted job opportunities. However, within two days of emailing a supervisor at the Overbrook Community Centre, Waiss was hired, and we couldn’t be happier to have him on our team.
“My favourite part of my job is being able to influence kids to be active and stay busy instead of heading in the wrong direction of life. I get to keep them engaged and see their excitement when they keep coming back,” says Waiss with a smile.
Waiss really enjoys working in recreation and culture because the work is fun and often doesn’t feel like “work.” He also says that he feels appreciated and encouraged by his supervisors. They allow him to work at a location close to home but also provide opportunities to work at other recreation facilities across Ottawa.
As for long-term goals, Waiss says that within the next five years, he hopes to finish college and get a bachelor’s degree in human kinetics while continuing with his part-time job. His 10-year goal includes going back to his home country of Somalia to use the knowledge and skills he has learned to develop recreation programs there. In his spare time, he loves playing sports like soccer and basketball, and playing video games.
Waiss has a very positive outlook on life and is a great example of the type of employee that the Recreation and Cultural Services Department is looking for. Are you interested in joining the team? To explore all job opportunities with the City of Ottawa, visit ottawa.ca/recjobs. If you’re looking to apply for a specific position and are unsure of the exact job title, we encourage you to reach out to us through our social media channels so we can help you navigate the application process. Be sure to check the page often as new positions are posted on a regular basis.
Thanks for chatting with us, Waiss! Ottawa can’t wait to see where you go from here!
For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.