The Provincial and Demonstration Schools Branch (PDSB) directly operates four provincial schools and three demonstration schools for students who are Deaf, hard of hearing, blind, low vision or deafblind and students with severe learning disabilities. PDSB is also a provincial resource on special education services (i.e., Alternative Education Resources Ontario).
PDSB uses a public facing website to showcase the programs and services offered, provide valuable information pertaining to all of our schools, and promotes employment opportunity within our specialized team. An IntraNet website is available to display key internal communication, policies, and information required by staff.
We need a highly motivated individual who can hit the ground running to provide web communications, design and development, and project management services for the Branch's Internet and Intranet websites. This position will work directly with our schools and outreach services to promote relevant, meaningful, and pertinent information to the public and school community. This individual will also lead a website redesign and development project to showcase all the incredible work being done within PDSB. We are looking to have a website available not only in English and in French, but also incorporating American Sign Language (ASL) content. The candidate will also be required to lead ongoing operational updates and sustainment activities to our existing web platforms.
The ideal candidate(s) will have experience with leading website design and development work. The candidate(s) will have an understanding of user experience to capture input from and create meaningful content for different audiences and will have strong front-end and back-end technical knowledge to support all environments. The candidate(s) will have knowledge of Ontario's AODA to ensure web content is accessible. The candidate(s) will also have good research capabilities to gain an understanding of what other school boards are promoting on their website and social media platforms.
Tools and software currently in place that this position may be required to work with include WAMP 3 Server Stack, Apache web server, MySQL Data base, PHP, PhpAdmin, WordPress CMS.
How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility
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.
About the job
You will:
• Lead the development, design, monitoring and control of the Provincial and Demonstration Schools Branch's website and design projects.
• Provide specialized web expertise and advice on web communications strategies.
• Research and recommend new web-based technology and web publishing opportunities.
• Consult with branch management to gather content and coordinate the writing and editing of web materials.
• Develop and implement website management systems, guidelines and standards and monitor the regular maintenance and quality of the website.
• Analyze web metrics, effectiveness, patterns, and feedback, and develop recommendations.
What you bring to the team
Web communications skills:
You have knowledge of:
• communication principles and practices, and communication planning methods to develop and maintain branch website
• research methods and writing/editing styles and techniques to research, write and edit content for websites
Technical skills:
You have knowledge of:
• The Internet, Intranet and Extranet systems and their capabilities for web communications and service delivery.
• Networking and groupware systems, Internet protocols and applications, UNIX administration and leading-edge technologies to develop and manage the Branch website.
• Relevant legislation (e.g., Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Ontario Human Rights Code, Government Advertising Act, and the French Language Services Act) and can acquire knowledge of government and I&IT policies to ensure compliance.
Analytical and problem-solving skills:
• You can determine and coordinate web communications requirements, products and services to meet the Branch's communication and marketing needs.
• You can determine the appropriate website design, structure and content to effectively promote and communicate the Branch's programs and services.
• You have problem-solving skills to identify website technology issues and implement solutions.
Project management skills:
• You have project management skills to coordinate all stages of web design and development projects (including planning and budgeting).
Interpersonal and consultation skills:
• You have consultation skills to determine client objectives, provide advice and technical direction to staff and contractors.