Senior Communications Specialist Full-time Job

Main Purpose and Function

As a member of the Vancouver Park Board’s communications team, the Communications Coordinator II – Parks & Recreation works on a variety of strategic communications projects and campaigns on behalf of both the Parks and Recreation divisions at the City of Vancouver.

 

The position has a strong focus on media and issues, social media storytelling and public campaigns  focused primarily on park operation initiatives, urban wildlife, nature in the city and major planning initiatives.

 

In addition, the position is responsible for creating and/or supervising the creation of various communications tools to inform the public about key initiatives, their expected impacts and the opportunities for public involvement; liaising with the media on issues and questions related to the key initiatives, and arranging interviews with staff or elected leaders as appropriate; developing, or supervising the development of a wide range of written materials, including social media and advertising campaigns, news releases, backgrounders, presentations, social media campaigns and advertisements.

 

Specific Duties/Responsibilities

• Coordinates various highly sensitive communications projects of longer duration involving contentious issues and complex strategies.
• Provides communications advice to client areas in parks and recreation divisions.
• Develops, coordinates, and, implements communications plans
• Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of communication and social marketing campaigns and activities in terms of meeting departmental and/or program objectives.
• Oversees the work of consultants involved with a variety of programs and projects.
• Researches, writes, produces and executes a wide variety of communications tactics for web, social media, advertising, video and print.
• Writes project specific content and oversees production of communication materials
• Assists in arranging news conferences and other special events.
• Prepares reports, presentations, correspondence and other materials related to the work.
• Monitor communication project budgets
• Establishes and maintains liaison with the media, government agencies and stakeholders
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned

 

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Education and Experience:

University graduation with a degree in journalism, communications or related discipline, plus considerable related experience on public-facing campaigns focused on behavior change and experience working with and communicating to diverse community groups, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of the news and advertising media.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques relating to professional communications
• Good working knowledge of local government and how it operates.
• Considerable knowledge in writing and editing for web, print, social media, video and advertising.
• Considerable knowledge using web content management systems to deliver on communication goals.
• Considerable knowledge in developing key messaging and media relations strategies.
• Considerable knowledge in developing and implementing concepts and themes and to research, write, produce and disseminate a variety of communications materials.
• Superior level of English language communication skills, both written and oral.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective liaison and working relationships with a variety of internal and external contacts.
• Ability to identify risk to the organization in potentially contentious issues and escalate them to a superior.
• Ability to prepare and maintain reports, presentations, correspondence and other related materials.
• Ability to oversee the work of staff (graphic designer, videographer) and consultants engaged in communication work.

 

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work remotely 1 – 4 days a week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite.  At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

 

Business Unit/Department: Board of Parks & Recreation (1400) 

Affiliation: CUPE 15 Parks 

Employment Type: Regular Full Time 

Position Start Date: May, 2024  

Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-027: $47.62 to $56.27 per hour

 

Application Close: March 29, 2024

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the worlds most liveable cities and is working towards being the greenest city in the world. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, decolonization, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.