Communications Officer

**District School Board of Niagara***

**Communications Officer***

**One Year Temporary, Full Time (with possible extension)***

Working at the District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) means being part of a supportive, innovative community that works towards doing what is best for students, and helping every individual achieve success. We proudly serve over 40,000 students across almost 100 elementary and secondary schools in Niagara, located between Lake Erie in the South and Lake Ontario to the North.

Reporting to and working collaboratively with the Senior Manager of Communications, you will play an important role in telling the stories of student success at DSBN schools. You will be involved in many facets of communications and public relations, including internal and external communications, media relations, social media strategy, issues and crisis management, speech writing, and special events.

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- Exemplary communication skills, including report writing and presentation skills.
- Ability to prioritize and successfully complete projects with conflicting deadlines.
- Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to foster relationships with internal and external partners.

**Duties and Responsibilities**:

- Develop, execute, and lead measurable and engaging communications strategies for internal and external stakeholders that align with the Board’s strategic plan.
- Contribute to overall communications strategy and components to support system-wide implementation of key Board initiatives.
- Support development and execute integrated marketing and promotional campaigns aimed at enhancing the reputations of the DSBN and schools.
- Oversee media relations as the primary point of contact for media seeking interviews with DSBN staff, information about the Board, Board policies, and its schools to ensure transparency, equitable treatment of all media, and to deliver consistent messaging.
- Develop and review messaging with senior leadership, administrators, and other staff to be used in frontline media relations.
- Prepare and provide media training to senior leadership and administrators.
- Research, write, edit, and distribute media releases and advisories.
- Develop and maintain positive relationships with local, national, and international media.
- Promote the Board’s image and identify opportunities for schools to present a positive image of their students, staff, programs, and facilities to internal and external audiences.
- Provide strategic communications counsel to senior leadership, administrators, and trustees.
- Collaborate with Supervisor to manage emerging and complex communications issues.
- Manage and develop the Board’s social and digital media presence, promoting a positive reputation that reflects the Board’s values.
- Maintain consistent messaging and communication about Board and school activities.
- Advise schools on how to effectively engage with social media and ensure they are aligned with the Board’s values and strategic plan.
- Other duties as assigned.
**Qualifications required include**:

- Bachelor’s degree or post graduate certificate in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field.
- Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) designation.
- Minimum of five (5) years of progressive communications experience in a large, unionized environment.
- Minimum of five (5) years of experience developing and implementing measurable and engaging communications strategies for internal and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrated experience with complex communications issues, project development and implementation, and special event planning.
- Demonstrated experience in media relations, and with social and digital media.
- Advanced writing and editing skills and a natural talent for translating complex information into clear, compelling communication materials.
- Strong project management skills.
- Proven experience building collaborative working relationships and providing exemplary service to a diverse group of stakeholders.
- Effective time management and organization skills, and the ability to multi-task and meet deadlines within a fast-paced environment.
- Computer skills, including MS Office Suite, and presentation packages.

**Salary range: $76,356 - $89,284** **. This is a temporary full time, 12-month, 35 hour per week position and is part of the Board’s union-exempt Administrative Management Group.

Personal information on this form is collected, used, and disclosed in accordance with the _Education Act_, R.S.O. 1990, c.E.2, as amended and the _Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. _R.S.O 1990, c.M. 56, as amended and will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility of the above-noted position and any similar or related purpose(s). Questions about this collection, use and disclosure should be directed to the Freedom of Information Coordinator, District School Board of Niagara, 191 Carleton Street, St. Catharine