Senior Communications 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

INDETERMINATE EMPLOYEES AT THE SAME GROUP AND LEVEL OR EQUIVALENT MAY BE CONSIDERED FOR DEPLOYMENT FIRST. If no deployment is made, applicants from other groups and levels will be considered in the advertised appointment process.

RANDOM SELECTION AND/OR TOP DOWN SELECTION MAY BE USED AT ANY TIME TO IDENTIFY WHICH APPLICANTS WILL BE FURTHER ASSESSED. Please note that achieving a pass mark on any of the assessments used does not mean you will move forward in the selection process. Management may decide to use a cut-off mark that is higher than the pass mark on any of the evaluations used throughout the selection process.

HOW DO I APPLY?

We will be looking closely at your application, so please read all application instructions carefully.

In your online application, you will be asked a series of screening questions, which will allow us to assess your education and experience. In order for us to determine whether you have what we are looking for, it is very important that you provide detailed answers (with concrete examples) to each question.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AFTER I APPLY?

Here is a summary of what you can expect:

• STEP 1
The information you provide will be closely reviewed by our management team, with a focus on your education and experience. This will help us determine if you will be further assessed. Once we review the applications, if you have the qualifications required, we will contact you about proceeding to Step 2.

• STEP 2
If you reach this phase, you will be invited to demonstrate your skills. We may use a variety of different tools to assess them, including interviews, written tests, or online evaluations. We will advise you and provide you with time to prepare. This is a really important step for you and for us, as it lets you demonstrate your talent and lets us ensure you will be successful in our organization. This phase will take longer than the other phases, but the end result will be worth the time investment.

• STEP 3
If you have been successful in demonstrating your skills, our management team will be excited to meet you, either in person or virtually, to validate and further understand what we have learned about you. We may also assess what other assets you can bring to our team and where you best fit in.

• STEP 4
You have met all our requirements, and an offer could be on the table. We will let you know where you stand and tell you when and if you can expect to be offered a position on our team.

Please note the following:
• All the information collected during the process, from the time you apply until the end of the process, may be used as part of your assessment.

Work environment

The Department of Justice makes and upholds federal laws and is the guardian of the Canadian justice system. We have a diverse and dedicated workforce of employees from coast to coast to coast. While our legal professionals form a large part of the Department, we have many employees working in various fields.

The Communications Branch is comprised employees who deliver a wide range of communications services in support of departmental objectives. As a result, the Communications Branch offers a unique environment in which employees at every level are directly involved contributing to the fulfillment of Justice Canada’s mandate.

We are looking to add to our team of communications professionals. Would you describe yourself as a:
• creative person with a passion for words?
• collaborator?
• keener?
• multi-tasker extraordinaire?

Have we got opportunities for you!

What can you expect from us?
• An opportunity to roll up your sleeves and push beyond your comfort zone every day – status quo is not an option
• Access to the coolest files in town – issues that affect the lives of Canadians from all walks of life
• Daily learning, feedback and hoorays
• Lots of opportunities to express your ideas and make a difference
• A diverse, receptive and healthy workplace
• Be a part of the Justice League!

Intent of the process

The immediate need is to staff two (2) indeterminate positions bilingual imperative BBB/BBB.

A pool of partially or fully qualified candidates resulting from this process may be established and may be used to fill similar positions within the Department of Justice with various languages requirements (English essential, bilingual imperative of various levels), and security level(s), as well as tenures which may vary according to 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

A degree from a recognized post-secondary institution OR and acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

Note: Incumbents of IS positions who do not possess the formal education prescribed are deemed to meet the education standard based on their education, training and/or experience. They must be accepted as having met the minimum education standard whenever a bachelor's degree without any specialization is called for in a position classified as IS.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE

EX1: Recent* and significant** experience providing strategic communications advice to senior management/senior officials*** on complex communications files.

EX2: Recent* and significant** experience leading communications events, campaigns or announcements.

EX3: Recent* and significant** experience writing communications products for various audiences for at least three (3) of the following:
- communication plans
- media lines
- media responses
- news releases
- social media content
- web/intranet content
- published articles

EX4: Recent* experience managing communications campaigns or issues involving multiple clients/stakeholders.

*Recent is defined as experience acquired within the past five (5) years.

**Significant experience is defined as the depth and breadth of work experience that would normally be acquired by performing these functions over a period of approximately two (2) years or more.

***Senior management/senior officials is defined as the director level and above, in the government or private sector.

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

ASSET EXPERIENCE

AEX1: Experience in managing high-profile public issues.

AEX2: Experience in developing strategic communications plans and multi-faceted campaigns targeted to the public.

AEX3: Experience in design, development, and oversight of digital communications campaigns.

AEX4: Experience in development and implementation of marketing or advertising plans.

AEX5: Experience in internal or corporate communications.

AEX6: Experience in media relations.

AEX7: Experience in speech writing.

AEX8: Experience in web publishing.

AEX9: Experience in experience in leading a team.

AEX10: Experience in supervision.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

OP1: Able and willing to work overtime, often on short notice, as per operational requirements.

OP2: Able and willing to travel on occasion.

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

Various language requirements
- English Essential
- Bilingual Imperative BBB/BBB
- Bilingual Imperative CCC/CCC

Information on language requirements

Second Language Writing Skills Self-Assessment
In order to help you decide if you should apply to a bilingual position, an optional self-assessment of your writing skills in your second official language is available for you to take before completing your application.

For more information, please consult:
Unsupervised Internet Test of Second Language Writing Skills

KNOWLEDGE

K1: Knowledge of project management methodologies.
K2: Knowledge of Government of Canada context and priorities.
K3: Knowledge of communications tactics and tools.

ABILITIES

A1: Ability to manage competing priorities under tight timelines.
A2: Ability to analyze and synthesize information.
A3: Ability to communicate in writing.
A4: Ability to communicate orally.
A5: Ability to provide strategic advice.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY

PS1: Judgment
PS2: Attention to detail
PS3: Dependability
PS4: Client Service Orientation
PS5: Teamwork

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

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS

The Department of Justice is committed to maintaining a representative workforce reflective of Canadian society. In support of achieving a diversified workforce and our employment equity goals, qualified candidates who self-declare in a staffing process as members of Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities, visible minorities and/or women may be selected for appointment to fulfill organizational needs including reducing representation gaps.

Conditions of employment

Secret security clearance

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

All job applications must be submitted on-line. Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying on-line are asked to contact 1-800-645-5605.

Communications related to this process will be sent to you via email. It is your responsibility as an applicant to provide us with a valid e-mail address, verify your junk mail folder (some email systems block our emails), and inform us of any change in your contact information. We encourage candidates to provide a secondary e-mail address in their application.

If you are already an employee of the Federal Public Service, please ensure that your Personal Record Identifier (PRI) is included in your application.

Throughout the assessment process, you are entitled to participate in the official language of your choice (English or French).

Please be prepared to provide us with proof of your education credentials upon request.

Candidates MUST meet each ESSENTIAL qualification and conditions of employment to be appointed to a position, and MAY be required to meet any/all ASSET qualifications, operational requirements and/or organizational needs, depending on the requirements of the specific position being staffed.

Other qualifications may be taken into consideration in the selection decision.

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.