The Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) is looking for a dedicated professional to serve as a spokesperson and support the media relations function of the organization. You'll play a key role in promoting our vital work and services at investigative scenes and events around the province. If you're passionate about communications and public safety, apply today!
About the job
In this role you will:
• Serve as the official spokesperson for the OFM at investigative scenes and events, providing expert media relations support.
• Lead strategic media relation campaigns, plans and products.
• Advise and support management and staff on media relations, including training, mentoring, and expertise.
• Manage media relation projects to ensure they meet goals, follow guidelines, and are completed on time.
What you bring to the team
Mandatory requirements
• The position requires the successful candidate to have a valid class G driver's licence or equivalent. The offer of employment is conditional upon the successful candidate providing proof that they have a valid driver's licence upon being hired.
Communications skills:
• You can prepare and edit communication materials to clearly convey information to audiences.
• You have communication skills to provide briefings, training, coaching and mentoring on media relation techniques.
• You have media and communication expertise to lead media strategies, manage high-profile issues and represent the OFM as a spokesperson.
• You have strong political acuity and understand stakeholders interests, sensitivities, and priorities to provide strategic messaging and communications advice.
Consultation and relationship management skills:
• You can build strong relationships with partners, stakeholders, and media organizations to manage high-profile issues and represent the ministry effectively.
• You can advise and support senior leaders on handling sensitive media matters, using strong communication, influence, and collaboration skills.
Technical knowledge and skills:
• You can acquire knowledge of government decision-making, legislative processes, and ministry policies to coordinate briefings and provide timely, accurate advice and support.
• You can advise senior leaders on high-profile media issues using knowledge of ministry priorities, legislation, and political processes.
• You can develop strategic media responses that align with government direction and support key relationships and policy outcomes.
Research, analysis and project management skills:
• You have experience leading projects, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with strategic goals.
• You can conduct thorough research and analysis on media trends, public opinion, and emerging issues to assess potential risks and opportunities.
• You can evaluate complex, high-profile media situations to develop communication strategies that reduce risk and support ministry objectives.
Don't meet every qualification?
If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!
How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility
We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.
Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's
Human Rights Code and the
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer
accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please
contact us.Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:
What we offer
We offer a unique opportunity to have a real impact on public safety, by working alongside our investigative teams and partners within the first responder community. You will be joining a team of dedicated OFM professionals, committed to professionalism, collaboration and innovation. You will enjoy a friendly and cooperative work environment, career growth opportunities, and the ability to work alongside professionals with a drive to promote and engage on fire safety matters.
The Ontario Public Service is one of Ontario's largest employers. Employees work for 29 ministries, with offices in more than 70 cities across the province.
We offer:
• a career that can grow across ministries and job functions
• flexible learning and developmental opportunities, including education and mentorship programs
• a modern, friendly and accessible physical work environment
• many employee networks offering support for and education about underrepresented groups
This role comes with a comprehensive compensation and benefits package that includes:
• a defined-benefit lifetime pension plan (guaranteed, ongoing inflation-protected income after retirement)
• group health, dental, life and disability benefits
• a range of vacation and leave options
• an Employee and Family Assistance Program, which provides confidential counselling services