Salary: $56,347.20 – $70,434.00/Year

Extended Health & Dental Benefit Plan paid by employer

Defined Benefit Pension Plan-OMERS with Employer-matched contributions

Hours of Work: 35 hrs/week

Closing Date: December 5, 2023

Opening Statement
We acknowledge that the City of Kingston is situated on traditional Anishinabek (Ah- nish-in-ah-bay), Haudenosaunee (Ho-den-o-show-nee) and Huron-Wendat (huron-wen·dat) territory and is the home of many Indigenous peoples. We are grateful to reside and work on this land.

Kingston is a smart, livable city in the heart of eastern Ontario. Its stable and diversified economy includes global corporations, innovative start-ups and all levels of government. Kingstonians enjoy a high quality of life with access to world-class education and research institutions, advanced healthcare facilities, affordable living and vibrant entertainment and tourism activities.

We take our core values of Trust, Respect, Integrity and Pride seriously and apply these standards to everything we do. We foster a working environment that reflects our community’s diversity and respects people’s dignity, ideas and beliefs. The City of Kingston views diversity as its strength and encourages people from all backgrounds, including but not limited to women, racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, Persons with Disabilities and persons who identify as members *2SLGBTQ+ communities, to apply.

Position Summary
**Note this is a temporary position covering full-time hours for up to 36 months**

The Junior Communications Officer will have a passion for customer service as this individual will be responsible for supporting Communication Officers in the design, development and execution of communication plans and other department project work.

The Junior Communications Officer is someone aware of the City’s mission and brings to their job a sense of pride for the Corporation’s mission to build collaborative partnerships within the communications team, support innovative solutions to harness the incredible assets in this community. As an ideal candidate for this position, you are an effective communicator and listener with a solid understanding of organizational and project management skills; you possess a solid understanding of social media channels and have a respect for deadlines. The City is looking for a junior communicator who wants to learn more about communications, marketing, and public engagement, apply their knowledge from their education and grow as a professional for this exciting, progressive, and smart-thinking city.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

In support of Communications Officers, assist with the delivery of community consultation initiatives utilizing previously planned strategies and techniques to encourage participation and the involvement of various stakeholders. Support the promotion of public engagement efforts. Support the development and execution of innovative marketing and promotional campaigns lead by a Communications Officer. The position aids with consistent branding to ensure the professional presentation of written documentation, advertising, and other promotional/marketing materials.

Draft, edit and publish various written materials to support Communications Officers including, but not limited to, news releases, webpages, articles, editorials, publications, newsletters, and other written communications. Review analytics assess communication programs and report findings with an opportunity to recommend improvements for future communication. Take media calls and seek clarity to support Communications Officers to prepare clients with the inquiry.

Support the use of appropriate communication tactics for target audiences and approaches utilizing various media, including but not limited to, video, online, social media, print, radio, briefing notes, news releases, reporting out and photography. Assist in providing information to the public and media to keep residents apprised of events happening within the municipality, promoting opportunities for residents to participate and/or submit feedback. The position also assists in the provision of information to City employees, to keep employees aware of internal events and promote opportunities for them to participate and/or submit feedback accordingly.

Support the work of the Communications and Public Engagement Division that work with City departments by understanding the challenges and opportunities to support their areas. Support a strategic, coordinated, seamless, corporate-wide, and consistent approach to all communications initiatives, with attention and focus on the customer’s needs.

Support ensuring all outputs are clear, informative, consistent, professional, accessible and presented in plain language. Communications outputs could include a coordination of marketing, advertising and educational material. Identify appropriate communication tactics to support departments and ensure appropriate audiences are engaged. Assist Communications Officers and departments to share information and inform residents and/or other stakeholders about City programs and services while promoting a customer centred approach to service delivery.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Competencies
Diploma or degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, or related field.

Demonstrated knowledge through projects, placement or professional experience in communications and marketing.

Experience with and understanding of social media platforms and digital marketing and communications trends.

Exceptional customer service experience, an asset.

Project management knowledge, an asset.

Print, social media, web, and photography experience, an asset.

Marketing and event coordination knowledge, an asset.

Experience with operating a digital camera and digital video camera, an asset.

Must demonstrate Corporate Competencies: Customer Focus, Results Orientation, Integrity, and Teamwork.

Skills, Abilities, Work Demands
Proficiency in writing and editing for various communication channels for content and accuracy.

Knowledge supporting the creation, planning and delivery of tactical communication and social media plans demonstrating creativity and innovative thinking.

Customer service skills.

Creative thinking, flexibility, organization and political sensitivity.

Ability to support communication plans and projects for the communications department.

Strong written and verbal communications skills, including editing.

Skills and knowledge working with MS Office, Excel, presentation software, and Content Management Systems (CMS).

Ability to work effectively in a dynamic, fast- paced organization.

Ability to build relationships.

Ability to prioritize work and work with multiple deadlines.

Demonstrated understanding of segmentation to ensure inclusion of members of our community.

Must be self-motivated and able to practice good judgment in making decisions both independently and within a team.

Knowledge of new technologies and technological advances.

Support team, programs, new initiatives, and perform other duties as assigned.

Ability to attend meetings, special events and activities outside of regular business hours and some weekends.

Required to obtain and maintain satisfactory criminal record check.

Closing Statement
Please apply to Career Opportunities at: www.cityofkingston.ca/Careers
Please inform us of any accommodations we need to make to ensure a barrier-free recruitment experience. Accommodations are available in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC)and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) at any stage in the recruitment process. We’re happy to provide more information if you email us at HRCity@cityofkingston.ca

Your resumé must demonstrate how you meet position requirements. Please upload to your profile any educational Degrees, Diplomas and/or Certificates that are relevant and required for the position. We thank all who apply, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted. Information collected will be handled in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.