Visual Communications Officer/Advisor

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 specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

In order to submit a COMPLETE application, you must:
1. Submit your résumé
2. Answer some pre-screening questions
3. Submit a link to your online portfolio or a PDF version to , which will be used to assess your ability to visually tell a story and your ability to produce targeted, high-quality digital communications products.

When answering the pre-screening questions, you must provide specific examples to clearly demonstrate how you meet the qualification. We can’t make any assumptions about your experience. Simply saying you have the required qualifications or listing your current duties is not enough. Instead, provide concrete and detailed examples that clearly explain where, when, and how you gained the experience. We’ll only use your résumé as a secondary source of information. If you don’t clearly demonstrate you have the required experience, we won’t ask for additional information and you will be screened out of the process.

Using the subject line “Visual Communications Officer/Advisor – your first and last name”, email a link to your portfolio or a PDF version to .

ALL OF THE ABOVE MUST BE DONE BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE.

Duties

We’re looking for talented creatives who can tell high-impact stories through video, photo, graphics, and other design products, and who can take the lead on projects from planning through delivery. You’ll work closely with clients and your team to advise on how best to communicate to our target audiences, and then see your work shared through a variety of channels, both online and in print.

Within a fun and supportive team environment:
• Graphic designers will use Adobe Creative Cloud (on Macs) to produce social media shareables, motion graphics, lower thirds, GIFs, illustrations, print materials, layouts, icons, wireframes, web mockups and graphics. (If you’re an expert in only some of these areas, but would be eager to continue expanding your skillset, please still apply).
• Photographers and videographers will advise on projects, plan shoots, film or photograph (using Canon cameras) events, headshots, talking head videos, interviews, locations. They will use their own work and others’ footage/b-roll/photos to create and deliver video and photo projects, including editing and post-production using Adobe Creative Cloud (on Macs).
• Each team member:
- provides advice directly to clients, managers, and the Prime Minister’s Office on creative concepts for multimedia.
- partners with colleagues in the broader Communications team to produce content for the Prime Minister, other PCO-supported ministers, the Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on LGBTQ2 Issues, the Clerk of the Privy Council, and other clients within PCO and across the Public Service.

Work environment

The Privy Council Office (PCO) is like no other organization in the Government of Canada. Working here means you’ll get first-hand experience advising the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and working directly with the Prime Minister’s advisors on the hottest and most interesting files in town, within a non-partisan environment.

If you’re a creative, dedicated, and experienced professional in the fields of graphic design, photography or videography who wants to work on high-profile, often rapid-turnaround projects that will be seen across the country and the world, please apply.

Intent of the process

IS-03
We have one (1) position to fill at the IS-03 level. A pool of qualified candidates may also be created for future needs.

IS-04
We have one (1) position to fill at the IS-04 level. A pool of qualified candidates may also be created for future needs.

These pools may be used to staff similar positions with various language requirements (English or French essential, bilingual imperative BBB/BBB, etc.), various tenures (indeterminate, specified period) and various security requirements for both classifications within PCO and the core public administration.

We may appoint candidates by applying one or more of the following criteria:
• Breadth, depth, type of specific work experience
• Matching individual experience or qualifications to the strengths and/or weaknesses of the work team
• Matching individual experience or qualifications to the specific duties of the position being staffed

Positions to be filled: 2

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

EDUCATION

EDU1: A degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with a specialization in graphic design, multimedia, or a similar field related to the position, or an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE

IS-03 and IS-04

EXP1: Significant* experience using Adobe Creative Cloud.
EXP2: Significant* experience producing at least three of the following products: social media or web graphics, motion graphics, GIFs, illustrations, large format print materials, print layouts, wireframes, web mockups, video interviews, b-roll, event/conference photography, photojournalism.

* Significant experience is defined as the breadth and depth of experience normally associated with full-time performance of duties for a period of approximately 2 years.

IS-04 ONLY

EXP3: Experience working with and directly advising clients in order to deliver creative services projects.
EXP4: Experience managing projects involving multiple people or groups.

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

ASSET EXPERIENCE:

AEXP1: Experience in social media and web graphics
AEXP2: Experience in motion graphics and GIFs
AEXP3: Experience in large format print materials like banners, roll-ups, and other meeting collateral like tent cards and signage
AEXP4: Experience in report and print layouts
AEXP5: Experience in wireframes and web design (mockups, not coding)
AEXP6: Experience in emails (marketing emails, in-email graphics, design)
AEXP7: Experience in interviews and talking head videos
AEXP8: Experience in b-roll and documentary film-making
AEXP9: Experience in photography

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

Various language requirements
- English or French essential
- Bilingual imperative – level BBB/BBB

Information on language requirements

ABILITIES

IS-03 and IS-04
AB1: Ability to communicate effectively orally
AB2: Ability to communicate effectively in writing
AB3: Ability to visually tell a story
AB4: Ability to produce targeted, high-quality digital communications products.

IS-04 ONLY
AB5: Ability to provide advice to clients and senior management

PERSONAL SUITABILITY

IS-03 and IS-04
PS1: Initiative
PS2: Dependability
PS3: Judgment
PS4: Attention to detail
PS5: Client service

Conditions of employment

Secret security clearance

Ability to work long hours and overtime on short notice

Other information

As part of this process, you can expect to:
• provide proof of your education credentials
• do an exam
• take part in an interview
• have your references checked

Please note that other assessment methods may be used.

A random and/or top down selection of candidates may be used in the determination of those to be given further consideration in the assessment process.

Acknowledgment receipt of applications will not be sent. Only candidates who meet the essential qualifications assessed at the screening stage will be contacted.

All communications related to this process, including email, may be used to assess your qualifications. We will send all communication through email or the Public Service Resourcing System (PSRS). Please ensure your email address can receive email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email) and that you check your junk mail just in case. It’s your responsibility to keep your contact information up-to-date.

Please use the online system to submit your application. If you have absolutely no access to the Internet or to apply online, please contact Josée Philippe () to make alternative arrangements.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice.

The Privy Council Office is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce with a diversity of experiences, perspectives and backgrounds that represents Canada now and in the future. In order to achieve this goal, we strongly encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups (women, people with disabilities, aboriginal peoples and visible minorities). We are passionate about fostering a workplace where all people feel welcome and can reach their full potential.

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 that 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, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

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