Community Relations Assistant

**JOB TITLE**:
Community Relations Assistant

**REPORTS TO**:
Director, Library Services & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Public Services Coordinator

**JOB PURPOSE**:
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Public Services Coordinator, the Community Relations Assistant seeks opportunities for the library to collaborate with community organizations, educators, groups, and businesses to provide programs and services that benefit the community. The Community Relations Assistant strives to build connections between the library and community residents to ensure that town members are cognizant of the library’s extensive list of resources developed to bolster their well-being. The Community Relations Assistant develops and oversees internal and external communications on behalf of the library, including media relations, public relations, social media, and the website, as well as advertising, marketing and fundraising strategies.

**TASKS**:
**1. Community Relations**
- Initiate regular conversations with community educators, groups, organizations and businesses to build supportive relationships;
- Proactively develop community partnerships to identify areas for future collaborations;
- Liaise between community groups and library departments to assist with program and service collaborations;
- Works with external stakeholders on community projects that are aligned with the library’s mandate with respect to community development and customer service;
- Works with community members, community service providers and local citizens’ groups to identify and address library service needs;
- Liaise with Friends of Wasaga Beach Public Library to support fundraising and volunteer initiatives;
- Is an advocate for the library and represents WBPL at community-based citizens’ meetings and other such events;
- Facilitates community focus groups, public consultation meetings, and public survey/engagement opportunities as needed;
- Prepares reports on community development activities and opportunities arising from emerging community trends
- Support fundraising and sponsorship initiatives for the new Wasaga Beach twin-pad arena and library complex through community relations;
- Assist in facilitating potential sponsorship through interactions with potential donors and sponsors;
- Maintain fundraising campaign platforms and donor databases for on-going stewardship of community philanthropists.

**2. Marketing and Communication**
- Develop and oversee communications on behalf of the library, actively seeking opportunities to promote the library to the public;
- Develop, implement and evaluate communications and marketing strategies and plans that align with the library’s strategic plan - create goals and set measurable objectives;
- Monitor effectiveness of communications and trends to ensure optimum reach;
- Oversee the development, production, and content of communication and marketing materials;
- Design and update library promotional materials using appropriate software;
- Direct advertising for local, provincial and national radio, print and periodical media;
- Develop promotional activities with the goal of enhancing the library’s image and increasing community involvement;
- Develop purchasing strategy and inventory of all promotional items;
- Provide communications expertise and support to the Library Board and staff, including editorial and style guidance, to ensure a consistent, accurate, and quality message in accordance with the library’s strategic plan;
- Participate in professional development and activities to keep abreast of trends and possible collaborative partnerships;
- Review literature and monitor industry best practices to keep current on library, communications, and marketing trends;
- Evaluate, collect and report related communication and marketing statistical information;
- Monitor and coordinate departmental promotional, publicity and marketing budget and expenditures in consultation with the CEO
- Support and promote fundraising campaigns through appropriate communication channels.

**3. Website, Social Media and Digital Resources**
- Administrate and maintain the graphic presentation and content management for the library and fundraising websites;
- Monitor the effectiveness of the sites using analytic software and make changes as required;
- Leverage the library’s social media properties to effectively engage stakeholders;
- Raise fundraising campaign awareness using multiple social media platforms;
- Keep abreast of digital trends to ensure that the library’s image and messaging reflect modern standards;

**4. Other**
- Assist CEO with budget process and maintain accurate advertising and marketing budgets throughout the year;
- Support library programs and events;
- Perform and assist with any duties as requested.

**QUALIFICATIONS / EDUCATION**:

- Completion of a post-secondary degree and/or diploma in Communications, Business Management or related program;
- Experience in