Communications Liaison

Summary

This position supports the communication needs of the Planning and Protective Services Area. The position prepares communication plans, public engagement and consultation strategies, and undertakes webpage development and maintenance. The position assists with drafting, planning, developing, producing and delivering outreach, education and information initiatives, in consultation with Corporate Communications staff and Service Area managers. The incumbent provides research support to staff and maintains regional databases and image banks as well as websites and social media sites.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Accountable to the Corporate Communications Department on matters of corporate policy, standards and communication governance, participates in Corporate Communication’s meetings and committees as required thereby ensuring Service Area communications meet corporate standards, policies and communication governance.
• Provides consultation to service area staff on communication initiatives recommending and developing communication plans, guidelines and standards.
• Develops, recommends, prepares and/or updates a variety of communication materials such as reports, media releases, infographics, social media and other related promotional supplemental materials in accordance with communication plans and consultation strategies.
• Develops and delivers website media and social media strategies and content.
• Initiates engagement with partner agencies to develop strategies to reciprocally leverage audience reach.
• Plans, coordinates and delivers public consultation events including coordinating/preparing communication plans, project charters, ads, promotional and educational material, FAQs, displays and presentations, securing/coordinating speakers, facilitators, venues and overseeing volunteers.
• Acts as the Communications Coordinator in the briefing note approval process.
• Develops data visualizations of complex technical and policy information and processes
• Represents the CRD and/or the Service Area on internal and external planning and advisory committees.
• Aligns messaging with CRD strategic and operational communication goals and objectives.
• Identifies communication needs and methods, evaluates opportunities and challenges and recommends methods to facilitate promotion of the organization’s identity and reputation.
• Manipulates and edits GIS output (maps) and digital photographs for inclusion on the Internet or print publications using GIS, graphic or photographic editing tools.
• Writes and/or reviews RFP’s and selects, retains and oversees contractors.
• Coordinates production/delivery including costs and resources.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of ongoing and diverse engagement, outreach, social media and website initiatives, participates in developing feedback mechanisms and recommends improvements.
• Responds to enquiries from members of the public or public agencies, responding to routine matters and non-routine matters and referring more complex/difficult queries to program experts.
• Follows all policies, procedures and standards of the CRD.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Additional Information

• This position will report to Corporate Comunication in January 2025 as part of a corporate reorganization.

Key Skills & Abilities

• Excellent communication (verbal and written), interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Considerable experience with writing technical information in non-technical language.
• Thorough knowledge in public information service delivery (government or non-government).
• Considerable experience in website and social media writing, maintenance and editing.
• Advanced writing and editing skills with experience in proof-reading, technical writing and numerical data.
• Strong MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook and SharePoint skills.
• Thorough knowledge of graphic design, video editing, and web development application (Adobe Creative Suite 6: InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) software.
• Thorough understanding of a geographic information system (GIS), such as ESRI ArcGIS.
• Considerable experience with Progress Sitefinity or similar CMS software.
• Basic understanding of spatial data types and quality.
• Thorough understanding of graphic design, including typography, layout, colour theory, composition, visual hierarchy and an ability to deploy these within the context of corporate branding requirements.
• Strong ability to establish work schedules ranging from several weeks to several months, depending on project requirements.
• Advanced organizational skills, including the ability to work under pressure, prioritize work and to set and meet deadlines.
• Strong ability to exercise tact, diplomacy and professional conduct in order to influence and collaborate and build consensus with stakeholders at various levels.
• Strong ability to deal with confidential and sensitive information with sound judgement, discretion and diplomacy.

Qualifications

Certifications