Communications and Media Relations Officer (Bilingual)

If you have excellent writing skills, communications savvy and are a born storyteller, consider joining our Marketing and Guest Relations team at St. Lawrence Parks Commission, an agency of the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries (MHSTCI).

Here you'll have the chance to apply your skills to parks, recreation, heritage, tourism, operations, economic development, environment and conservation, transportation and municipal relations all in one place! You'll play an integral role in promoting our campgrounds, beaches and historic sites, contributing to an exceptional customer experience and economic prosperity in the Eastern Ontario region.

The successful candidate will have the option of working from office locations in Morrisburg or Kingston; however, alternate work arrangements, e.g., remote work, are available.

What can I expect to do in this role?

You will:

• Oversee, lead and manage the media relations function and media outreach strategy for all of the St. Lawrence Parks Commission (SLPC).
• Support corporate communications, social media outreach and issues management.
• Provide communication advisory services to ensure successful internal and external communications strategies that support SLPC initiatives.
• Conduct and/or lead the research, writing and editing services for a range of communication products.
• Conduct the review and assessment of material in the media through analysis of daily news clippings, social/digital media contacts and share pertinent information with the SLPC senior leadership team.
• Prepare spokesperson and act as the communications contact between SLPC and external media outlets.
• Identify, organize and evaluate incremental exposure opportunities from SLPC operations and organize special media events and familiarization tours to maximize promotional opportunities.
• Lead partnership relations with travel writers, bloggers and influencers in the promotion of SLPC products and initiatives and actively identify new earned media streams to enhance in-market exposure of all SLPC products and experiences.

How do I qualify?

MANDATORY

• Oral and written proficiency in French at the Advanced-Plus level.
• Oral and written proficiency in English.
• A valid Ontario Class G driver's licence or equivalent to operate fleet vehicles between sites as needed at times and to places where public transportation may not be available.

COMMUNICATIONS KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Knowledge of and experience with communication planning, theory, methods, techniques, including print, broadcast, social media and electronic communications to manage the corporate communication and issues management function.
• Knowledge of and experience with ministry policies, practices, protocols, guidelines and directives to ensure compliance with communication standards.
• Knowledge of and experience with writing, editing and proofreading techniques to research, edit and develop communication plans and strategies.
• Excellent writing skills to develop a wide range of communications related products, plans and strategies in a concise and plain language manner.

RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORY SKILLS

• Oral communication and interpersonal skills to effectively communicate to media and to manage clients, stakeholders and form external partnerships.
• Advisory skills to provide consultative services to program areas.
• Political acuity to assess and manage politically sensitive and potentially contentious issues and provide strategic advice.
• Judgement skills to assess the urgency of contentious and sensitive situations which may have a negative impact on SLPC.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT SKILLS

• Project management skills to develop project plans, coordinate, prioritize and manage projects and maintain schedules.
• Organizational skills to manage multiple competing priorities.

STRATEGIC PLANNING AND ANALYTICAL SKILLS

• Analytical and evaluative skills to evaluate client program objectives, business, operational, communications plans/strategies to ensure they are designed and executed effectively to achieve desired results.
• Research skills to assess and determine communication approaches and trends.

Note

The Parks of the St. Lawrence is an inclusive employer. Accommodation is available under the Ontario Human Rights Code. For more information on how to request accommodation or assistance, please contact Human Resources at 1-800-437-2233, ext. 2440.

Collection of Information

Your personal information is being collected and will be used to determine your qualifications for employment with the Ontario Public Service, and for recruitment modernization initiatives. OPS Careers is an authorized common service in accordance with s. 6 of the Ministry of Government Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.25 and this collection of personal information is necessary to the proper administration of OPS Careers.

Please do not provide more personal information than what is asked of you. For example, do not include your social insurance number, photograph, or banking information, etc. with your application. We strongly encourage you not to provide us with information beyond that which is requested in the job posting.

If you have any questions about the collection, use, disclosure, or retention of your personal information, please contact us.

All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.

Remember: The deadline to apply is Wednesday, July 28, 2021 11:59 pm EDT. Late applications will not be accepted.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.