Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To provide technical expertise for Branch communications products and initiatives related to Branch functions.
To coordinate the activities of Branch content contributors, ensuring accessibility, consistency of process and quality across digital communications platforms, and to act as a digital accessibility specialist and resource, providing technical accessibility expertise to Branch staff on digital content development.
To provide specialized expertise in developing, supporting, and enhancing Branch communications products.
Ensure content development and maintenance is in accordance with ministry and Ontario government standards, accessibility legislation (AODA), policies and guidelines.
To support communications for Branch initiatives that require promotion on the Ministry's social media channels including analyzing and summarizing engagement rates and to provide leadership on new and emerging communications methods for user, stakeholder and public engagement.
To support Branch in adopting new technologies for collaborative, presentation, or engagement solutions.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Performs range of design services related to the development of communications products, that are responsive to
user needs and client requirements through:
' Facilitation and production of requests for design of information products.
' Leading design requirement analysis
' Designing simple and complex graphics, maps, information products and images.
' Creating desktop publishing layouts and templates.
' Writing HTML code to format web pages and assist with task automation, image enhancement and data display
' Participating on intra-ministry/inter-ministry/inter-agency teams or working groups.
Branch:
Design, creation and maintenance of Branch intranet and internet content, including:
' Leading content requirements and analytics
' Facilitating the design of Branch internet and intranet content
' Creating and maintaining content including text, graphics and data
' Performs web contributor functions, such as converting PDFs into accessible word/HTML documents and working with Communications Services Branch to post content on the ministry internet and posting content to the ministry intranet sites
' Conducting quality control and quality assurance through regular website audits to ensure accuracy of content and links and currency of information. Makes recommendations to resolve identified issues and remediate content to be accessible.
Provide support to projects and operations by:
' Liaising with project managers and leads to understand their communication needs and requirements
' Providing leadership with product lifecycle for communications products and projects
' Providing clients with estimates of required resources, approvals and costs
' Assessing and evaluating project deliverables for quality adherence to standards
' Tracking workflow and providing project updates
' Executing assigned analysis tasks and assessing effectiveness of these tasks in meeting targets.
Providing advice to management and staff on communication, design requirements, or digital solutions by:
' Understanding applicable OPS standards for communications products, including accessibility, French Language services, visual identity, plain language, digital best practices, OPS style guides and visualization techniques/tools.
'Leading and advising on the use of technology for Branch collaboration
' Analyzing communication needs of target audiences and stakeholder groups
Supporting development and delivery of communication services and products by:
' Researching, writing, reviewing and editing communications materials
' Planning and delivering communication requirements for announcements, launches and special events
' Identifying issues and options to mitigate issues
' Leading the design and administration of the digital Branch SharePoint Online collaboration solution.

Staffing and Licensing :

n/a

Knowledge :

' Job requires knowledge of design and visualization concepts and principles to perform design services by facilitating the production of design products including deigning complex products and analysis of information.
'Job requires knowledge of current and emerging trends in website design and internet technologies: terminology and analysis of web metrics (website statistics).
' Job requires good writing and editing skills including knowledge of plain-language, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and organization of text to effectively communicate ideas.
' Job requires knowledge of word processing (particularly accessibility features within the Microsoft Office suite), digital multimedia (audio and video), digital image production and editing (graphics and photographs).
' Job requires knowledge of user requirement analysis techniques, to allow for the interpretation and representation of data to provide technical expertise by ensuring all services and product development are responsive to Branch user needs and client requirements.
' Job requires knowledge of project management processes to provide leadership by developing, implementing, and monitoring project charters and work plans throughout the life cycle to ensure project tasks and deliverables are completed on-time, within budget and to required specifications.
' Job requires knowledge of website design and implementation to provide site management by designing, creating and maintaining Branch sites.
' Job requires knowledge of relevant government standards and legislation including French Language Services Act, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, and visual identity standards to ensure communications materials available to be translated in French, accessible and adhere to ministry standards.
' Job requires knowledge of web and social media trends to provide creative and technical expertise to Branch staff.
' Knowledge of worker responsibilities as outlined in the Occupation Heath and Safety Act.

Skills :

Technical skills: HTML/CSS, word processing, MS Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), PDF authoring,
accessibility remediation (WCAG 2.0 Level AA, PAC 2.0), Adobe Acrobat Pro, Adobe Creative Suite, WordPress,
SharePoint Online
' Writing and editing skills to develop online digital content. Strong understanding of plain and direct writing and accessibility standards (WCAG 2.0), writing standards for the web and engaging online audience using social media.
' Oral communication and presentation skills to provide expert advice to clients, stakeholders and management on digital accessibility, communication strategies and opportunities
' Customer service and interpersonal skills to assess client/Branch requirements and develop communication products to meet business needs: to promote digital accessibility, writing standards and guides, quality assurance and editorial support for all digital accessibility and comms initiatives.
' Planning and organizational skills to plan, prioritize and coordinate content for both public/internal website, web applications, social media site, campaigns and special projects for the Branch.
' Leadership skills to provide communications expertise and direction to clients.
' Strong research and problem-solving skills to troubleshoot technical and process problems and make recommendations for changes to ensure that data and applications are responsive to end users.

Freedom of Action :

Job requires working with government and ministry policies, standards and guidelines for developing, assessing communication plans, products and initiatives. Job requires using judgement and making decisions by assessing Branch communication needs and advising on communication requirements and analyzing needs of Branch, determining appropriate method and approach to communication activities.
Work is reviewed by respective managers and Director at key stages and is assessed for adherence to ministry communication policies and overall strategies/standards. Job requires referring to respective Manager/Director with problems/issues such as contentious issues, conflicting requirements.