Communications Advisor **AMENDMENT TO CLOSING DATE**

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

When you apply to this selection process, you are not applying for a specific job, but to an inventory for future vacancies. As positions become available, applicants who meet the qualifications may be contacted for further assessment.

NOTE: If you have applied to process 18-AGR-NCR-EA-PAB-711, you will need to resubmit your application.

The Public Affairs Branch at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is looking for an enthusiastic, dynamic and creative communication advisors from coast-to-coast who are looking for a change and want to support the amazing work done at AAFC.

If you’re interested in working within a team where you will expand your horizons and be challenged, this is it!

Come and join our Public Affairs Branch THE most exciting place to be and let AAFC become the apple of your eye.

Work environment

About AAFC
• Our department is crucial – the agriculture and agri-food sector contributes to our everyday life by feeding us as well as our economy!
• Our teams of experts in various domains work on domestic and international markets, environmental sustainability, economy and science innovation.
• We are a science-based department with research centers across the country, including the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa.

Regional Network
You don’t live in the National Capital Region (NCR)? Not a problem – we have offices across the country.

Through the Regional Network, the communications experts address various regional communications needs and are co-located with other AAFC branches in different cities.

Here’s what you can look forward to if you join the Public Affairs Branch at AAFC:
• Friendly colleagues who strive for excellence;
• An organization that values work-life balance and mental health;
• Dynamic leaders who encourage innovation and trying new things;
• Interesting files and content that matter to Canadians;
• The opportunity to be a creative writer and trusted teammate

We have a great location in the National Capital Region including:
• Ample parking at a reasonable rate;
• Major bus routes;
• A full gym with weekly exercise classes (yoga, spinning, Zumba);
• Wide variety of restaurants, coffee shops and grocery stores, all within a five-minute walk.

Intent of the process

Immediate need: The immediate need is to staff one indeterminate (bilingual imperative) position in the National Capital Region.

Anticipatory: To create an inventory of qualified IS-04 communications advisors to fill future vacancies in the following units: Marketing and Publishing, Advertising, Public Opinion Research, Corporate Communications, Media Relations, Strategic Communications, Web Communications, Regional Communications and Social Media.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

A degree from a recognized post-secondary institution.

Notes:
1. 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.
2. At the manager's discretion, an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience, may serve as an alternative to the minimum education standard.

Degree equivalency

Experience in providing communications services and advice to supervisors/managers and clients.

Experience in developing and implementing *communications plans and strategies for clients.

Experience in writing, editing and implementing a full range of communications products (such as news releases, media lines, brochures, webpages, social media, articles, etc.).

Experience in analyzing and responding to public or internal communications issues.

Experience in coordinating diverse communications activities in support of at least two of the following: public events, press conferences, and internal or external outreach activities.

*Communications plans and strategies includes, but is not limited to, marketing plans, social media strategies, regional outreach strategies, media relations plans and public opinion research strategies.

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

Various language requirements
English essential, Bilingual Imperative BBB/BBB, CBC/CBC, CCC/CCC.

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of the Government of Canada Policy on Communications and Federal Identity.
Knowledge of current trends in communication techniques.
Knowledge of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) priorities.

Interactive Communication
Writing Skills
Judgement
Strategic Thinking
Client Focus
Teamwork
Initiative
Planning and organizing
Problem solving

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

A degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing or political science.

Degree equivalency

Experience in media relations.
Experience in using social media tools.
Experience designing and producing various digital communication products including videos.
Experience working with a senior official’s office: Head of an organization, President, Vice-President, Deputy Minister, or Minister.
Experience in public environment analysis (including media analysis or correspondence analysis).
Experience in Project Management and co-ordinating multiple communications products.
Experience in providing communications advice to senior management* on high profile issues in the media.

* Senior management means Director, Director General, Assistant Deputy Minister, or equivalent

Various operational requirements may apply depending on the position:
- ability and willingness to travel
- ability and willingness to work overtime and to adopt flexible work hours as per operational requirements

Conditions of employment

Reliability and Security: Various

Various conditions of employment may apply depending on the position:
- ability and willingness to travel
- Regional positions require to have a driver’s licence.
- Regional positions require the ability to lift at least 10 kilograms.

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 designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

How this will roll-out:
Let’s see what you’ve got
• We’ll assess you first through your online application and questionnaire.

Show us your stuff
• Then, if you make it through that assessment, we’ll follow up with a request for you to supply your most creative communications products developed - or those that you worked on with your team - so far in your career.

Just to be clear
• It is your responsibility, as a candidate, to clearly demonstrate how/if you meet each essential qualification (education and experience) assessed using the screening questions in the online application. When providing your answers, it is not sufficient to simply state that the qualifications are "met" or provide a listing of current or past responsibilities. You must provide concrete specific examples to illustrate how you meet each criterion identified in the questionnaire. Your answers must include where and how you obtained the required experience, as well as the period(s) in which you performed the functions of the position(s). Candidates will not be solicited for incomplete or missing information.

PLEASE NOTE: Depending on the position being staffed, additional qualifications (i.e. experience, knowledge, abilities, competencies) may be required by the hiring manager(s). You will be provided the opportunity to submit information relevant to any additional qualifications that may be applied. Further assessment may be required.

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.