Communications Officer

**Opening Statement**

The City of Kingston is grateful to experience the traditional territories of Anishinabek (Ah
- nish-in-ah-bay), Haudenosaunee (Ho-den-o-show-nee) and Huron-Wendat (huron-wen-dat). Kingston is a smart, livable city in the heart of eastern Ontario. Its stable and diversified economy includes global corporations, innovative start-ups and all levels of government.

As staff, you play a pivotal role in enhancing people's lives by delivering exceptional, customer-centered services of the highest quality. Within our highly ethical environment, you'll embrace accountability by consistently going above and beyond, actively listening to our customers, creatively addressing their needs, and maintaining unwavering respect for all individuals you serve. As a result, you'll become an integral part of our qualified and dynamic team, recognized for its compassion, excellence, integrity, inclusivity, and adaptability.

**Position Summary**

Reporting to the Manager, Communications and Public Engagement, the Communications Officer champions the principles of quality customer service delivery and is responsible for collaborating with departments from across the organization to support effective communication around strategic priorities, issues management, and supporting the business unit workplans. This position advises departments on public engagement and provide reports to support the data-driven approach to communications.

The Communication Officer works with departments on the understanding, development, delivery, and analysis of internal and external communication through dynamic storytelling and clear concise messaging to align with corporate priorities.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:
Collaborates with team members and supports departments across the organization on the awareness, understanding, development, delivery, and analysis of communication for internal and external audiences.

Designs communication plans to support projects, policies, initiatives, and programming.

Develops, edits, and publishes various written materials for various channels including, news releases, webpage content, articles, editorials, publications, newsletters, video storyboards, radio ads, podcasts, surveys, and social media.

Liaises with the Graphic Designers on the development, review, and approval of creative materials from concept meetings to final approval of the design materials.

Creates an understanding and awareness of City projects through creative and dynamic storytelling.

Attends meetings to support the department and the understanding of the projects and issues.

Develops a project level communications analysis using the analytics and data to inform and support decisions on projects and tactics.

Advises departments on engagement plans for projects, policies, and initiatives to align with the Public Engagement Framework.

Develops and executes communication plans to support the engagement initiatives.

Supports the development of materials using appropriate tools to receive input on projects, policies, and initiatives.

Supports departments with engagement delivery and reporting back. This includes both virtual and in person sessions.

Develops and maintain strong relationships with the media through proactive and reactive media relations.

Monitors news coverage through media articles and on social media pertaining to the municipality and identifying issues and risks.

Works with departments and the media to understand the media inquiry and timing. Supports the departments in preparation and messaging for their interviews or responses.

Develops procedures and guidelines for work within the department.

Maintains corporate records of the materials that are developed.

Other duties as assigned.

**Qualifications, Competencies**

Diploma or degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, or related field.

3 years of recent and relevant progressive experience in communications and marketing.

Marketing and event coordination experience an asset.

Experience in municipal government is considered an asset.

Recent and relevant project management experience.

Recent and relevant print, social media, web, and photography experience.

International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Foundations Training is considered an asset.

Must demonstrate Corporate Competencies: Customer Focus, Results Orientation, Integrity, and Teamwork.

**Skills, Abilities, Work Demands**

The ability to establish credibility and build trusting relationships.

Exceptional communication skills both in verbal and written.

A technical aptitude and ability to quickly learn new systems and software.

Determines the most efficient process in developing communication plans and provide recommendations when necessary to Management.

Determines when to refer or escalate a problem or question to Management.

Working knowledge of Canadian Press (CP) Style.

A strategic thinker that demonstrates creativity, organi