Communications Specialist, Sustainable Communities

Company Description
**Join the country’s most trusted environmental organization and become a force for good**

The David Suzuki Foundation empowers people, using multiple approaches, such as research, policy, advocacy and education; to take-action in their communities on the environmental crisis we face.

The founders of the DSF started the organisation with the belief that diversity and difference was crucial to finding solutions to environmental challenges and for survival. They also recognized that everything is interconnected and interdependent, and that environment and climate cannot be separated from social injustice and inequity. 30 years later, in the midst of a global pandemic we realize that these founding principles are even more relevant than ever. The current dominant worldview is leading to our demise and we need alternative worldviews, we need diversity and difference to find sustainable solutions.

At DSF we realize that in order to benefit from diversity we need to do more, we need to be inclusive and anti-racist and so the DSF made a public commitment to anti-racism and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). We recognize that decolonizing and EDI are an essential part of progressive leadership and fundamental to the environmental and climate crisis we face. Furthermore, as a Canadian settler organisation focused on lands and waters, we must work in solidarity and partnership with Indigenous people. This commitment is reflected in the transforming journey we have started to embed diversity, equity and inclusion, to decolonize and be an anti-racist organization.

We share this to invite those that want to join us on this journey, as we transform ourselves in order to transform our world, to protect nature’s diversity and the well-being of all life now and for the future. Are you interested in working towards a socially and environmentally just world? Do you believe that the issues and solutions are interconnected, and that diversity of identities, lived experiences and worldviews are key to our creativity and survival?

The David Suzuki Foundation is strongly committed to equity and diversity and to creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace.

**Job Description**:
**Position Title**: Communications Specialist, Sustainable Communities (Maternity Leave)

**Terms**: Full-time (34 hours/ 4-day week) 1 year term

**Salary**: 60-70K based on experience

**Location**: Based out of our Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver office, with remote work during COVID-19 protocols.

**Reporting to**: Director, Sustainable Communities
- Are you a talented and adept communications professional interested in working on climate change and the environmental issues of our time?
- Are you passionate about communicating effectively in order to engage, inspire and motivate DSF audiences and communities to take action?
- Do you want to work with a team of exceptionally talented and bright people to make a real difference in the world?

**You and the job**

You’re an experienced communications specialist who is adept at responding quickly to breaking stories. You’re an exceptional writer and skilled storyteller who produces inspiring and actionable content and can move comfortably across different communications tasks.

In this role, you will lead communications for a variety of projects under DSF’s Sustainable Communities portfolio and provide communications support such as social media content development and strategy, media message development and speech writing support.

You will work closely with the Climate Solutions team as well as a variety of stakeholders, including First Nations, academics, businesses, municipalities, environmental groups, project managers, scientists, campaigners, policy analysts, and digital and public engagement specialists.

**Your Responsibilities**:

- Lead our Sustainable Communities projects communications in collaboration with your team members
- Develop and deliver creative and effective communications plans
- Identify and respond quickly and effectively to breaking stories and news cycle opportunities
- Define and deliver on long-term regional audience engagement goals
- Liaise with our Digital team to ensure content is shared optimally through all channels
- Develop compelling presentations for internal and external audiences
- Share information across DSF departments and regions and in key relationships
- Edit content as needed
- Attend meetings, conferences and events on behalf of DSF, as required
- Manage relationships with contractors as needed

**Qualifications**:
**Education and Experience**:

- University or college degree in communications (or related field) with a minimum of 3-5 years professional experience in communications
- Experience in non-profit, community or government communications and working with diverse stakeholders including Indigenous communities is an asset
- Experience working with and pitching stories and articles to media
- Proven ability to tr