Junior Communications Specialist

Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) is one of the largest school divisions in Alberta, serving the education needs of approximately 17,950 students in 42 schools. Every day, the staff and students of EIPS are encouraged to pursue opportunities to grow and discover their passions in life. We pride ourselves on providing staff and students with the tools to achieve success by offering dynamic programming, current resources, and practical professional learning opportunities.

Elk Island Public Schools Central Services building is located in Sherwood Park, at 683 Wye Road. Providing services for the Division, Central Services is comprised of eight departments, in addition to the Board of Trustees. The departments include Education Executive, Communication Services, Facility Services, Student Transportation, Human Resources, Financial Services, Supports for Students and Information Technologies. Central Services is staffed by 190 employees, with five of those in Communication Services.

**EIPS is recruiting a permanent Junior Communications Specialist with Communication Services.**
- **Commencing August 18, 2025**:

- **37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday
- 7.5 hours per day)**:

- **Open to Internal and External Applicants**:

- ** EIPS offers a comprehensive benefit package**

**Key Duties/Responsibilities**

**Communications**
- Draft messages, correspondence, speeches and promotional material content
- Ensure messaging across the Division is coordinated; reflects the needs of diverse target audiences; aligns with communication plans; and is consistent with the Division’s priorities, goals and values.
- Assist in implementing communication and public engagement plans that address the needs of the Division and assist in the completion of specific projects for individual schools, departments or issues.
- Assist in executing the strategies and tactics described in the communication and public engagement plans, and the priorities identified by the Board of Trustees as outlined in the Four-Year Education Plan.
- Produce video content for the Division website and social media channels.

**Community relations and public engagement**
- Working with the Senior Communications Specialist, assist with drafting messages related to public-consultation processes conducted by the Division or any department.
- From survey results, pull reports and break down results as required for departments and schools—the Division uses the results for reports that go forward to the Board of Trustees.
- Assist members of the Communication Services and Planning teams in setting up and taking down community-engagement events.
- Monitor the general Communications inbox for questions from the community and stakeholders regarding public engagement and co-ordinate responses when appropriate.

**Online communications**
- Create, maintain, update, and manage public-engagement content for the Division intranet and extranet websites and social media channels.
- Assist the Senior Communications Specialist in helping schools and departments update content on their websites and web pages.

**Media relations and issues management**
- Draft copy for news releases, fact sheets, backgrounders and other materials for local, provincial and national media.
- Gather information from schools, departments and other stakeholders to develop media materials.
- Co-ordinate the distribution of media materials to key stakeholders.
- Connect media with school spokespeople when appropriate.
- Assist in coordinating media events and activities.

**General administration**
- Assist with the Committee of School Councils, including attending meetings one evening a month and sending out follow-up communications
- Assist with Board meeting highlights—distribution and posting of highlights, and Board packages
- Produce and distribute the internal Weekly Wrap-Up electronic newsletter.
- Provide assistance to and coverage for members of the Communication Services team as required.
- Provide occasional coverage for front reception.

**Qualifications**
**Education and Experience**
- Degree or diploma in communications, public relations, journalism or related area of study
- Minimum 1 year related experience

**Demonstrated Skills and Competencies**
- Strong writing, editing and verbal communication skills.
- Strong collaborative, interpersonal and team skills.
- Excellent ability to interact with various professionals and levels in a respectful manner.
- Understanding of accepted communications principles, frameworks and planning processes.
- Solid understanding of the tools of communications and how best to create them.
- Proficiency in MS Office, design and video production programs/software, Adobe Creative suite, and social media/digital marketing platforms.
- Familiarity with social media channels and producing video and other compelling content for those platforms
- Some familiarity with design and layout software and platforms is an asset—Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photosho