Content Specialist

Homeward Trust Head Office, 6 - 10242 105 ST, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Job Description

About Homeward Trust Edmonton

Homeward Trust Edmonton (Homeward Trust) is a not-for-profit organization charged with ending homelessness in Edmonton. Our efforts are guided by community need and priorities as outlined in A Place to Call Home: Edmonton’s Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness. Homeward Trust has a dynamic work environment, filled with high-energy, dedicated, and passionate people.

Homeward Trust coordinates and provides resources for local efforts that address homelessness and its devastating impacts on individuals, families, and communities. We work with agencies, neighbourhoods, mainstream systems, community members, and all orders of government in pursuit of this singular objective, grounded in the belief that we can and will end homelessness in Edmonton. Homeward Trust is proud that our community is recognized both nationally and internationally as a leader in this work.

This is a temporary, 1-year maternity leave coverage position, with the possibility of extension or transition to a permanent role.

This is an essential role to create content (written and visual) and share information about Homeward Trust’s, and the sector’s efforts, to prevent and end homelessness on our platforms, channels, in our presentations, communications materials, and events.

Reporting to the Director, Communications and Engagement, the Content Specialist is responsible for:

- Website (WordPress) development, management and optimization:

- All candidates applying must have WordPress experience in both the front and backend. Some coding experience is an asset.

- Content planning and generation:

- Develop succinct, factual content about housing and homelessness with exemplary writing, grammar, and proofreading skills to highlight sector efforts and showcase impact.

- This includes copywriting, blogs, newsletters, social, PowerPoint presentations, developing basic graphics, and long and short-form content for internal and external audiences.

- Event support: from planning to post-mortem, including venue selection, catering, AV needs, asset management, producing needed promotional materials, set up and strike.

- Project planning, scheduling and reporting: creating and managing editorial calendars, content management plans, detailed project management execution schedules and post-mortem reports.

Duties and Responsibilities

- Research, write, edit and seek feedback for content and craft content for different audience segments, including adapting messaging for each audience.

- Create bi-weekly, monthly, and annual content planning schedules and content which highlights relevant news, events, and information.

- Daily monitoring of social media with real-time reporting to support emergent and/or crisis communications.

- Stay up-to-date on social media trends and best practices in content planning, management, and generation.

- Other duties as assigned and as required.

WordPress:

- Full-Stack WordPress Development: Manage all front- and back-end aspects, including theme/plugin implementation, site integration, performance optimization, and security updates. Experience with PHP, HTML, CSS, and building responsive user interfaces.

- Content Creation & Audit: Generate fresh weekly content; review, edit, and audit existing digital content to ensure it is factual, current, and reflects contemporary language and circumstances.

- Technical Oversight & Testing: Create website architecture, conduct performance and compatibility tests, troubleshoot issues, and manage application development and testing. Log all major changes.

- Digital Media & Optimization: Integrate graphics, audio, and video. Apply best practices for SEO and UX design and optimization.

- Maintenance: Monitor website traffic, performance, and security. Manage data backup and ongoing refinement.

Education and Experience

- Graduate of a recognized post-secondary institution with a focus on public relations, communications, social media, or journalism is required.

- A minimum of two to five years’ experience managing social, content generation (graphics, design and copy), print production, and website management and development is required.

- Basic graphic design skills and training with bonus points for social media video production.

- Equivalencies in formal education and/or experience will be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

- Cross-functional Collaboration: Collaborate with internal departments, stakeholders, and partners for the development and production of messaging, multi-platform content, and event support while fostering organizational cohesion and alignment with strategic goals.

- Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, deep understanding of the value of proactive communications, with the ability to effectively articulate messaging to diverse audiences.

- Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and creative problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage complex, multi-faceted initiatives.

- Exemplary time management and organizational skills are required with the ability to meet multiple and sometimes competing deadlines while making sound decisions under pressure.

- Software: Demonstrated ability to quickly learn new software with a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 (Teams, Word, Canva, PowerPoint, Eventbrite) and all social platforms.

- Knowledge of the non-profit service sector, particularly related to Indigenous Peoples and people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, is an asset.

- Must pass criminal record check including vulnerable sector clearance.

Measures of Success

- Public relations and government relations acumen. We work in a highly sensitive, political space, often with divergent viewpoints. The successful candidate will understand and be attuned to current news as it impacts the sector, political viewpoints and be aware of the landscape and any sensitivities when crafting content, in particular on social media. This role requires discretion and good judgment regarding political issues, sensitive information, and public perception.

- Work collaboratively with the Communications team, leadership, staff, and stakeholders.

- Consistently display factual accuracy with a focus on evidence-based impact and outcomes.

- Employ a sense of urgency in proactively monitoring social media to alert leadership to emerging issues, topics of interest and to provide timely briefs.

- Proactively plan and schedule content aligned with organizational messaging and interests.

- Ensure homewardtrust.ca is secure, optimized and refreshed with timely content of value to our audiences, which includes site security and optimization.

- Set and meet deadlines, prioritize tasks, and effectively and openly communicate.

- Be a self-motivated learner, passionate about staying abreast of content, social and web best practices.

- Thrive in ambiguity and the unknown while striking a balance of initiative and knowing when to seek permissions. Due to the evolving nature of our work, there is often a need to dynamically pivot to respond to changing or new information. This requires honed problem-solving skills and the ability to positively go with the flow.

Working Conditions

- Hybrid Environment: Primarily based in an office three days a week, with remote work opportunities two days a week.

- Events: Due to the nature of events, some flexibility is required as schedules will vary and with occasional off-site events, access to a car is an asset.

How to Apply

Please apply with BOTH a cover letter and a resume as one document. Applications without a cover letter will not be accepted. Please include your salary expectation in your cover letter and use it as an opportunity to showcase your grammar and writing skills and to detail how your experience and qualifications make you a unique fit for this role.

This competition will close at 5pm on Sunday, October 26, 2025 However, candidates will be reviewed and potentially interviewed before the closing date so please apply early.

While all applications are evaluated based on merit, we particularly value and recognize the unique perspectives that come from lived experiences, including homelessness or houselessness. We are deeply committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. We strongly encourage everyone interested in joining us to apply.

Homeward Trust Head Office, 6 - 10242 105 ST, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

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