Senior Communications Specialist

at  The City of Vancouver

QUALIFICATIONS

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.
• Demonstration of learning related to and/or experience working on Reconciliation projects considered an asset.

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: Office of the City Manager (1010)
Affiliation: CUPE 15 Non Pks
Employment Type: Regular Full Time
Position Start Date: December 2024
Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-027: $47.62 to $56.27 per hour

MAIN PURPOSE AND FUNCTION

As a member of the Corporate Communications team, the Communications Coordinator II – Engineering works on a variety of strategic communications projects and campaigns on behalf of various Engineering divisions including Water and Utilities Management, Urban Watersheds, and Sewers and Drainage.
The position has a strong focus on multi-channel content creation, advertising, social media marketing and public education campaigns focused on themes including water conservation, water quality, weather, public awareness of the City’s engineering programs and key initiatives, and delivery of major infrastructure.
In addition, the position is responsible for media and issues, alongside responsibility for creating and 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 programs, and arranging interviews with staff or elected leaders as appropriate; developing, or supervising the development of a wide range of written materials, including content creation for social media, digital spaces, advertising campaigns, news releases, backgrounders, presentations, social media campaigns and advertisements.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develops, monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of communication, advertising and social marketing campaigns and activities in terms of meeting departmental and/or program objectives
• Coordinates various highly sensitive communications projects of longer duration involving contentious issues and complex strategies
• Oversees development of a wide variety of publicity and informational materials including news releases, newsletters, notices, pamphlets and brochures, speeches, video, displays, social media campaigns and other digital content, advertising, etc
• Provides communications advice to various client areas including the Water and Utilities Management, Urban Watersheds, and Sewers and Drainage divisions
• Develops, coordinates, and implements multi-channel communications plans
• 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 marketing, advertising and communication materials
• Assists in arranging news conferences and other special events
• Prepares reports, presentations, correspondence and other materials related to the work
• Provides messaging for City Council
• Monitor communication project budgets
• Establishes and maintains liaison with the media, government agencies and stakeholders
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned