Job Description
Position Overview:
Employees of the City of Saint John are proud to provide quality municipal services to over 68,000 residents who live in Canada's original city on the shores of the Bay of Fundy.
The Communications Officer provides support to the Communications Manager to formulate and implement strategic communications that promote the city as a great place to live, study, work and play.
A key goal is to foster positive relationships by informing the public, City employees, and other organizations about municipal services and activities, and the value they add to our community. Another goal is to illuminate municipal policies and practices through effective use of media and public relations.
This role is a great fit for someone who is looking to join a professional team of staff, be inspired by meaningful work, make a positive difference in our community, and help drive our city and key priorities forward.
Key responsibilities:
Under the direction of the Communications Manager, we are seeking a Communications Officer who will:
- Develop, implement, and evaluate strategic communications plans and campaigns that support the City's priorities and objectives, communicate change, raise awareness and generate public understanding.
- Build public understanding of City initiatives and services by coordinating communications initiatives, programs and events with service areas, departments, partners, agencies, boards and commissions.
- Identify and analyze potential issues that may be the result of decisions made around municipal policies or programs and recommend effective responses to the communications manager.
- Provide advice to the Communications Manager on communications and public relations issues or opportunities.
- Develop, edit, and update communications materials, such as publications, videos, letters, statements, speeches, news releases, advertisements, advisories, Q&As, digital web and intranet content, social media posts, etc.
- Assist the manager with responses to media inquiries.
- Identify trends in public opinion, track, and report on media coverage.
- Prepare and submit reports to the manager, as requested.
- Seek opportunities for partnerships, sponsorships, and advertising.
- Provide strategic communications advice throughout the organization to help foster positive relations between the City and external stakeholders.
- Assist the Saint John Emergency Management Organization Public Information Officer by providing communications support and backup as required.
- Assist with the creation of brand documents and policies and procedures and ensure consistent messaging and branding that reflects corporate standards.
- Organize events, including press conferences, special announcements, official openings, open facility days, etc. and serve as a City spokesperson if requested by the Communications Manager.
- Perform communications-related activities within the confines of a service-based budget.
- Ensure good vendor and supplier relationships that conform to corporate purchasing policies.
- Provide support to the Communications Manager in the development of a long-term communications strategy.
- Assist with other duties as assigned.
- Please note that this position will, on occasion, require work outside of regular business hours and some local travel in City fleet vehicles.
Essential Qualifications:
- A university degree in public relations, communications, journalism, or a related field is required.
- Seven years of related work experience would be considered a strong asset.
- Strong work ethic and initiative; must be a doer.
- A friendly, positive, can-do attitude.
- Proven professional and ethical conduct in the execution of responsibilities.
- Experience working well as a member of a team, and under the direction of a manager.
- Knowledge of communications principles including, but not limited to, public relations, public engagement, social media, crisis communications and public affairs.
- Ability to think and plan strategically while paying close attention to detail.
- Experience in media relations an asset.
- Ability to apply new technologies to support and enhance communications and marketing initiatives.
- Experience planning, producing, and editing traditional publications and digital content for distribution.
- Strong prioritization and time management skills to accomplish high volumes of detailed work, with conflicting priorities and multiple deadlines.
- Strong written and verbal communications skills.
- Proficiency with MS Office and social media platforms. Familiarity with Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop or InDesign is a plus. Experience with other multimedia platforms would also be considered an asset.
- Written and verbal proficiency in both official languages would be considered a strong asset. Please indicate your proficiency in both.
We would like to hear from you if you are qualified and thrive on the opportunities this position has to offer.
The successful applicant will be eligible to work a compressed work week of 4 days (Monday to Thursday) throughout the trial period of the City's recently adopted Compressed Work Week Trial. This schedule is subject to change.
Please note: It is a condition of employment with the City of Saint John to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a valid certificate of medical exemption from vaccination. Those who provide a valid certificate of medical exemption are required to comply with the City's Vaccine and Test Policy. Failure to comply with this condition of employment is cause for termination.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities in which we live and which we serve. We encourage and support applications from Indigenous, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minority groups. Candidates who belong to such groups, who are qualified, will be given preference at the time of selection.
Applications will be accepted through our online system only. Qualified applicants should submit their cover letters and resumes to:
City of Saint John
Attn: Hiring Committee
www.saintjohn.ca (careers/employment opportunities)
The City of Saint John is an equal opportunity employer. Only those applicants being considered further will be contacted.
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