Council Communications Specialist

**Job Posting**

Reporting to the Manager of Council Support the Council Communications Specialist is responsible for providing communications support to Councillors and Council Support staff. The Council Communications Specialist coordinates and manages processes related to Council-wide efforts such as newsletters, reports, ads, public service announcements, web management and Council briefs while ensuring communications strategies and activities support the vision and corporate direction of the Halifax Regional Municipality.

**DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**:

- Coordinates the dissemination of information to media and the public on behalf of individual Councillors, e.g. public service announcements regarding events hosted by Councillors and commitments of funding from their individual budgets
- Engages with the municipality’s Corporate Communications team, as appropriate, to ensure compliance with the municipal brand.
- Ensures existing messaging developed by Corporate Communications for municipal spokespeople is used as reference in development of communications.
- Develops briefing notes, frequently asked questions and other required communications material for Councillors based on facts/information sourced from municipal staff. Note: The position does not develop opinion-based messaging or political advice for Councillors.
- Using templates provided by Corporate Communications, coordinates development of print collateral (newsletters, advertising, business cards, signage, posters, advertising, etc.).
- Facilitates printing of collateral through Print Services in Corporate Communications, as well as external vendors as appropriate.
- Facilitates all media inquiries for Councillors (excluding the Mayor) and coordinates interviews. Note: The position does not act as a spokesperson for Councillors or the municipality.
- Supports Councillors with basic administration (monitoring and posting) of their individual social media accounts and web pages; for example, can post a tweet linking to a Councillor’s public service announcement that they have posted on the Councillor’s webpage.
- Prepares or oversees reports, briefs, web content, public service announcements, news releases, newsletters.
- Responsible to create and/or maintain content on internet and intranet sites.
- Provides briefing notes to Councillors and Councillors’ support staff following Regional Council meetings.
- Works with Councillors and staff to develop, implement and evaluate internal and external marketing and communications plans to help them achieve their objectives while ensuring communications strategies and activities support the vision and corporate direction of the Halifax Regional Municipality.
- Identifies effective and economical alternatives and solutions for communications needs.
- .Manages and monitors the progress of multiple projects and reports to clients and other project stakeholders.
- Identifies techniques and strategies for forging and maintaining strong client relationships.
- Works closely with elected officials, Business Units and/or corporate project stakeholders on annual communications planning.
- Provides communications input to corporate and business processes.

**QUALIFICATIONS**:
**Education and Experience**:

- University degree in Public Relations, Marketing or a related field.
- Five years of experience working in a communications or marketing environment.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
- Experience working in municipal government is considered an asset.

**Technical / Job Specific Knowledge and Abilities**:

- Ability to work under pressure, meet tight deadlines and manage multi-focused priorities.
- Demonstrated knowledge of communications planning and research skills.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, including document production and editing.
- Excellent customer relations and client management skills.
- Sound knowledge of municipal government and/or previous experience working in a government setting would be considered an asset.
- Excellent computer skills and proficient in relevant software: Adobe (InDesign and Photoshop), Canva, PowerPoint, Excel and basic knowledge of print production.
- Demonstrated ability in project management.

**Security Clearance Requirements**: Applicants may be required to complete an employment security screening check.

**COMPETENCIES**: Analytical Thinking, Communication, Customer Service, Networking/Relationship Building, Organizational Awareness, Organization and Planning, Teamwork and Cooperation, Valuing Diversity.

**WORK STATUS**: Temporary, full-time (up to 24 months).

**HOURS OF WORK**: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m, 35 hours per week and beyond those on an as-required basis. This position will require extended, flexible hours on days when Regional Council is in session. Flex options to work outside of these hours and hybrid may be available.

**SALARY**: Level 5, Non-Union, $60,800-$