Amended - Senior Communications Officer

The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO), an arm's-length agency of the Ministry of Education, requires your expertise and bilingualism in the application of marketing and communication principles and practices to promote the policies, programs and initiatives of the Agency.

**Amended: Closing date has been extended to July 25, 2022

OPS Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism:

We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.

We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's Human Rights Code. Refer to the "How to apply" section if you require a disability-related accommodation.

What can I expect to do in this role?

• research and produce a range of communications, promotional and training materials and tools for educational assessment programs and services (e.g. brochures, news releases, publications, fact sheets and media advisories)
• identify and analyze communication requirements related to key ministry policies, programs, legislation and services
• conduct research on, anticipate and identify emerging issues
• coordinate a variety of projects and special events in support of educational assessment promotion, including managing arrangements and resolving issues
• lead the development of a strategic framework by developing plans and strategies for new media business direction
• develop corporate policies, procedures, processes and standards for electronic communication systems (e.g. document design, electronic format, publishing standards, etc.)

How do I qualify?

Mandatory

• You must possess oral and written French language skills at the superior level. Your proficiency level will be confirmed before hire.

Communications expertise:

• You have knowledge of communication theory, methods and techniques, trends and standards to apply strategic internal and electronic web communications practices.
• You can develop strategies and plans to promote and communicate educational assessments, events, products and services.
• You have familiarity with writing web content, and communications materials and are able to manage and maintain websites.

Research and analytical skills:

You can:
• perform environmental scans and identify issues of concern, and identify communication strategies in response to politically sensitive issues
• review and edit communications material for review by manager and political staff
• lead the development of framework for new media products and services
• establish and monitor metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of products and campaigns

Communication and consultation skills:

You can:
• prepare and edit materials (e.g. briefing notes, memoranda, letters) and convey information and ministry position in a clear and concise manner
• advise senior management on communication strategies for sensitive or contentious issues and new media technology

Project management skills:

• You have project management skills to coordinate ministry-wide special projects, events and conferences.

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 Monday, July 25, 2022 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.