Communications Officer - Media Relations

Important messages

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request special accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Information on accommodation for persons with disabilities

We invite you to view the following related processes:
• 18-CEO-EA-RPA-15369 (Social Media); and
• 18-CEO-EA-RPA-15368 (Communications Services)

PLEASE ENSURE YOU READ THE POSTER THOROUGHLY AS THE INSTRUCTIONS CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT WILL BE REQUIRED IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS. FAILURE TO READ THE NOTES AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN YOUR APPLICATION MISSING CRITICAL INFORMATION THUS PROVIDING FOR INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION FOR THE ASSESSMENT BOARD TO COMPLETE YOUR ASSESSMENT AND MAY RESULT IN YOUR ELIMINATION FROM THE PROCESS.

Work environment

Are you a communicator with a keen sense of the media environment, excellent judgement, and interest in supporting democracy? How about working on various files and gaining significant communications experience?

The media relations and issues management team is looking for a communications officer to help in preparing for the next general election, scheduled for October 2019. Your role will be to scan the mainstream media and social media, work on media analyses, prepare the daily clippings, and work on other communications products. You will be an asset to the team in helping out the spokespersons too.

During a general election, the team works flat out. During by-elections, the pace is somewhat accelerated. But most of the time, the team works regular hours with little overtime or time on call, and no expectation that you stay tethered to your cell phone.

Our office is located at 30 Victoria Street, in downtown Gatineau (Hull sector). Our modern building has indoor bike storage and comfortable locker rooms and showers. We’re in a workplace 2.0 environment with large windows and a direct view of the Ottawa River.

If you are looking for a rewarding communications job with opportunities to learn and work on meaningful content, this is it!

Intent of the process

The intent of the process is to establish a pool of fully or partially qualified candidates. The pool may be used to staff similar positions within Elections Canada with various tenures (specified periods or indeterminate) and various bilingual needs (profiles such as BBB/BBB, CBC/CBC or CCC/CCC).

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

Contact information for 2 references.

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

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION
A degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in communications, journalism, public relations or other specialty relevant to the position.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
Experience in researching and writing a variety of communications products such as briefing notes, backgrounders, news releases, media advisories, Web content, media analyses, reports, etc.
Experience in researching and responding to enquiries to any of the following: general public; internal stakeholders; or, external stakeholders.
Experience in monitoring and analyzing mainstream media and/or social media.
Experience in assisting in the development of either communications or media strategies.
Experience in providing advice on communications products or media monitoring activities.

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

Bilingual - Imperative (BBB/BBB)
Bilingual Imperative
Various profiles may include CBC/CBC or CCC/CCC

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of the Government of Canada’s Policy on Communications and Federal Identity
Knowledge of Canadian media.
Knowledge of the tools and methods for monitoring mainstream and social media.

ABILITIES
Ability to communicate effectively orally
Ability to communicate effectively in writing
Ability to prioritize and manage a heavy workload while meeting tight deadlines.
Ability to think strategically
Ability to work effectively with others
Ability to summarize complex information clearly and concisely.
Ability to research information in databases, online and offline.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY
Judgment
Reliability
Tact

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS

EXPERIENCE
Experience in conducting research and consulting subject matter experts to develop strategic communications plans, media plans or communications products such as backgrounders, fact sheets and questions and answers.
Experience in coordinating the work of external service providers such as: advertising agencies; graphic designers; linguists; printing companies; production companies; or, communications consultants.
Experience in assisting in the development or implementation of either communications or media strategies.

KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of Elections Canada’s mandate

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Hours of work could vary: the candidate is expected to work 6 am to 2 pm on a rotational basis.
Open to the possibility of working the first 2 hours remotely from home in order to complete the morning clippings.
Must be willing to work on weekends on a rotational basis during a general election, by-election and referendum.
Must be willing to work overtime during federal electoral events or as needed.
Consent to observe strict political impartiality and neutrality for the duration of employment.

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the targeted groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

A test may be administered.

An interview may be administered.

Reference checks may be sought.

You must provide proof of your education credentials or occupational certification.

Candidates may be required to meet the asset qualifications or the organizational needs, depending on the requirements of the specific position being staffed.

Please note that asset qualifications may be used at the screening stage or any stage during the process.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.

TRAVEL AND RELOCATION: Candidates will be required to pay for all TRAVEL AND RELOCATION expenses related to this selection process, including travel expenses for assessment purposes.

PLEASE NOTE: For this selection process, our intention is to communicate with applicants by e-mail for screening/assessment purposes (including issuing screening results, and sending invitations for written tests and interviews). Applicants who apply to this selection process must include in their application a valid e-mail address and make sure this address is functional at all times and accepts messages from unknown users.

We will accept applications on-line only. All job applications must therefore be submitted through the Public Services Resourcing System (PSRS).

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.