Communications and Engagement Strategist

Staff - Non UnionJob CategoryM&P - AAPSJob ProfileAAPS Salaried - Information Services, Level BJob TitleCommunications and Engagement StrategistDepartmentUBCO | Operations | Canadian Prescribed Fire Training Program | Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences | Irving K. Barber Faculty of ScienceCompensation Range$6, $9,701.42 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End DateDecember 14, 2025

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

June 30, 2028

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career. 

Job Summary

Housed at the University of British Columbia's Okanagan campus (UBCO), the Canadian Prescribed Fire Training Program (the Program) will be the first of its kind in Canada and will develop the foundational framework required for a nationally recognized program to facilitate the safe and effective application of prescribed fire contributing to measurable improvements in biodiversity, ecological resilience, and community safety. The Program will involve the development of curriculum and regional hubs across Canada which will provide region-specific and hands-on prescribed fire training.

The Communications and Engagement Strategist will develop and implement integrated communications and engagement strategies for the Program and will play a pivotal role in shaping the Program's growth by contributing to its long-term development and success across Canada. This position will be responsible for building and maintaining strong relationships by developing and executing communications strategies and tactics with key external partners, contractors, and Program employees to promote the use and benefits of prescribed fire and training provided by the Program. Core responsibilities will include developing public outreach, stakeholder engagement, media relations, and content creation to support and advance the Program and prescribed fire initiatives nationally. A critical component of this work will be enhancing the social license for prescribed fire across Canada.

This position will oversee the development and maintenance of digital platforms, including website and social media, while ensuring brand consistency, and alignment with Program objectives and principles. They will lead the development and execution of promotional strategies for events and other activities related to the Program. The Communication and Engagement Strategist will proactively manage the Program's reputation and address emerging challenges through monitoring, analytics, and risk communication planning, while leveraging data-driven insights to refine strategies and enhance engagement.

Organizational Status

This position reports to the Operations Manager and works for the Canadian Prescribed Fire Training Program in the Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences at UBC's Okanagan campus. This position is expected to work closely with the Program employees and other UBCO units, and build relationships with a wide range of external stakeholders including partners, federal, provincial, and regional agencies, contractors, media and news outlets, NGOs, foundations, Indigenous groups, the public, and other groups from across Canada.

Work Performed

• Develops overarching communications and engagement strategies to support the growth and success of the nationally recognized Program and prescribed fire initiatives.  

• Leads the ongoing optimization of the website content and design for effectiveness, quality, accuracy, consistency, and alignment with the mission and vision of the Program;

• Launches social media sites and monitors channels by posting regularly, engaging with and supporting followers and partners, and responding to direct messages, threads and inquiries in a timely manner;

• Reviews data and analytics on a regular basis, provides summary reports and leverages insights to refine strategies, improve engagement, and develop innovative solutions that support decision-making or solves complex, multifaceted problems for the Program;

• Develops, writes, designs, conducts research and edits materials such as blog posts, project briefs, speaking notes, news releases, brochures, reports, social posts, promotional materials, case studies, and other communications materials;

• Collaborates with subject matter experts to translate complex ideas or processes into clear, accessible and plain language for diverse audiences, ensuring accuracy and engagement;

• Develops new storytelling strategies, tactics and content to build social license for prescribed fire across Canada while ensuring alignment with Program objectives and key audiences;

• Manages and determines workplans, timelines, budgets, and evaluation tasks for key engagement objectives;

• Manages, develops, and identifies new relationships to support Program objectives, and track engagement activities to ensure timely and consistent communications;

• Identifies and leverages opportunities for collaboration to expand the Program visibility and outreach at local, regional, provincial and national levels;

• Performs a variety of nation-wide and regional public information and outreach activities for the Program, and tracks engagement;

• Acts as the liaison and coordinates interview requests for information between the media, Program leadership, Program employees, etc.

• Leads the development and execution of promotional strategies for events and other activities related to the Program, including photographing and documenting, and supports the planning, implementation and rollout of related initiatives.

• Proactively manages the Program's reputation and emerging challenges through planning, monitoring, and analytics, by developing and implementing protocols to manage risks and ensure timely responses.

• Functions as the communications resource for the Program and develops foundational materials, strategies and tactics that enable Program employees to handle relationships independently;

• Liaises with internal and external production and media services providers to ensure quality and consistency with deliverables;

• May require travel around Canada and will need to occasionally work evenings and weekends to support the Program.

• Performs other duties as required

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Errors or incorrect decisions of this position could seriously compromise the timing and quality of training and knowledge extension projects of the Program. In addition, inaccurate reporting, lack of grant facilitation, and failure in communications could result in lost funding and jeopardized relationships with collaborators and communities.

Poor judgement or poor relationship management may harm the reputation of UBCO and may result in lost research partnership opportunities.  Inaccurate or incomplete information regarding partnership opportunities or sponsor regulations could result in a loss of funding or may commit the University to unacceptable award conditions.  Mismanagement of partnerships could result in the return of funds, loss of future funds and/or inability to collect funds owed to the University.  Incorrect interpretation of Sponsoring Agency and University policy could result in non-compliance with sponsoring agency terms.

Supervision Received
This position will work autonomously within guidelines and standards. It is expected that this role resolves problems independently using initiative and judgement while setting priorities based on workload. Work is reviewed in terms of achievement of specific goals.

Supervision Given
May supervise or coordinate the work of staff, students or external contractors in communications or engagement projects as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum five years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own.

• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

• A university degree or diploma in a relevant discipline such as communications, marketing, media/public relations or science communications;

• Knowledge of fire ecology and prescribed and culturally informed prescribed fire is considered an asset.

• Experience working and writing in a University setting including with researchers, students, learners, and cross-institutional teams;

• Demonstrated experience with developing marketing, branding, and socials campaigns or scaling national-level program(s) is considered an asset;

• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing communications and engagement strategies and best practices.

• Demonstrated experience in scientific writing, project brief writing, and/or academic writing;

• Experience in event management and planning;

• Exceptional writing and communications skills with experience writing for digital and print media, and ability to adjust writing style for different audiences;

• Demonstrated proficiency on multiple social media platforms including but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and others;

• Demonstrated experience with web-based content management systems and web design (WordPress or similar), web design, SEO, usability best practices, and analytics

• Ability to exercise a high level of diplomacy, tact and discretion when working with confidential and/or sensitive information; 

• Attention to detail and superior organizational skills;

• Ability to work with minimal direction, take initiative, and exercise sound judgement and decision-making;

• Ability to effectively use Microsoft Office (Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint);

• Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and priorities under deadlines;

• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.

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