Communications Officer and Writer/Editor

Important messages

Please note that there are multiple streams for this process:
STREAM 1: Communications Branch - Communications Officer
STREAM 2: Ministerial Correspondence Control Unit (MCCU) - Writer/Editor

When answering the screening questions, remember that the assessment board cannot make assumptions about your experience. It is insufficient to say that you have the required qualifications or to list your current or past duties. Rather, using this tool, candidates must demonstrate how they meet the education and experience criteria listed in the job opportunity advertisement by providing clear and concrete examples.

Resumes will be used as a secondary source of information and strictly to validate the concrete examples you will have described in this tool.

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to staff a position on an indeterminate basis in Ottawa, Ontario. However, a pool may be created to staff similar positions within Fisheries and Oceans Canada with various tenures, security and language requirements.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to the position. Other qualifications may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed. Some essential and other qualifications will be assessed through your application. It is your responsibility to provide appropriate examples that illustrate how you meet each qualification. Failing to do so could result in your application being rejected.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

Education:
A degree* from a recognized post-secondary institution**.

*Degree: A baccalaureate or higher level degree as established by educational authorities.

**Recognized post-secondary institution: Public or private institution that has been given authority to grant degrees, diplomas, and other credentials by a public or private act of a provincial/territorial legislature or through a government-mandated quality assurance mechanism. For greater certainty, also included are institutions authorized to grant specific academic credentials for specific academic programs.

Notes: Based on their education, training and/or experience, indeterminate incumbents of positions in the IS classification are deemed to meet the minimum education standard whenever a bachelor’s degree without specialization is called for in a position classified as IS.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
STREAM 1 & 2
• Experience in writing or editing a variety of communications products, including at least three of the following: communications plans , news releases, backgrounders, frequently asked questions, talking points, messages for internal or external audiences, articles for print or Web publication, advertising copy, social media content, event scenarios or other acceptable products.
• Experience in analyzing information and data from various sources to prepare written communications documents.
• Experience establishing and maintaining liaison with subject-matter experts on various issues.

STREAM 1
• Experience contributing to the development and implementation of communications plans and/or media strategies.
• Experience in providing communications advice and support to supervisors and colleagues.

STREAM 2
• Experience writing, editing, and proofreading current, complex and sensitive documents to be read by various audiences.

Knowledge:
STREAM 1 & 2
• Knowledge of the functions, structure and current issues of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard.

STREAM 1
• Knowledge of the Policy on Communications and Federal Identity (May 11, 2016).
• Knowledge of communication methods and techniques, including new and innovative approaches.

STREAM 2
• Knowledge of English grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax, language usage and style.

Abilities:
STREAM 1 & 2
• Ability to research and analyze issues to draft relevant communication products or correspondence.
• Ability to handle multiple demands, work under pressure and meet strict deadlines.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally.
• Ability to effectively communicate in writing.

Personal Suitability:
STREAM 1 & 2
• Initiative
• Creativity
• Judgment
• Flexibility
• Teamwork

If you possess any of the following, your application must also clearly explain how you meet it (other qualifications)

Education:
STREAM 1 & 2
• A degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in communications, journalism, public relations, English or French, political science or history.

Degree equivalency

Experience
STREAM 1
• Experience working in Web.
• Experience working in media relations.
• Experience in social media.

STREAM 2
• Experience writing, editing and/or coordinating executive correspondence.
• Experience working in a Minister’s Office.
• Recent experience (i.e. within the previous two years) using a document tracking system, such as ccmEnterprise, ccmMercury, WebSims, or MECTS.

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

Various language requirements
STREAM 1 - English essential, bilingual imperative (BBB, CBC)

STREM 2* - PPC/CCB, various

*Stream 2: Code P is required for reading and writing in English. Second Language Evaluation tests prescribed by the Public Service Commission are not used to evaluate skills requiring the use of code P. The hiring manager is responsible for assessing code P.
Reading and writing in English requiring code P refers to the following technical or specialized language skills:
Proofreading English texts and correcting spelling, grammar and punctuation errors.
Providing English editing services for technical or specialized texts, documents and publications.

Operational Requirements:
Willingness and ability to work overtime often on short notice.

Information on language requirements

Conditions of employment

Reliability and Security:
STREAM 1 - Reliability or secret security clearance

STREAM 2 - Secret security clearance

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled, diverse workforce reflective of Canadian society. As a result, it promotes employment equity and encourages candidates to indicate voluntarily on their application if they are a woman, an Aboriginal person, a person with a disability or a member of a visible minority group.

The Public Service of Canada is also committed to developing inclusive, barrier-free selection processes and work environments. If contacted in relation to a job opportunity or testing, you should advise the Public Service Commission or the departmental official in a timely fashion of the accommodation measures which must be taken to enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans and to Canadian citizens, in that order.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.