Chief, Communications

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

***** If you have applied for the selection process: 20-FRD-EA-36820, there is no need to apply again. Only online requests will be accepted*****


ABOUT US

The Public Service of Canada is among the best in the world (nothing less!). To maintain this reputation, we need new people who are creative, competent and passionate about their work.

What members of the Public Service realize every day can have very tangible effects on Canadians’ lives, whether it be pushing back the limits of science, saving lives or contributing to global security. As communications specialists, we have the privilege of showcasing these essential activities and communicating clearly and simply the services and programs available to Canadians.

Working with us, you will have the opportunity to advance your career by taking advantage of networks, on-the-job training, mentorship programs, job mobility (there are over 280,000 of us across the country and abroad!) and other professional development tools. We support continuous learning, and we even have our very own Canada School of Public Service to enable you to improve your skills throughout your career.

The Public Service also offers flexible work arrangements, parental leave and other special types of leave such as leave with income averaging and self-financed leave.

What are you waiting for?

Desired profile:

• Do you like to rack your brain to find the best communications approach for your target audiences?
• Do you know how important internal communications are to an organization’s success?
• Do you have a passion for assessing communications effectiveness?
• Do you know how to work in a team and apply creativity and originality to support your clients well?
• Do you want to make the jump to supervision or enhance your experience in the area?

If so, you may be the candidate we’re looking for!

Work environment

The Government of Canada communications team manager is called on to provide strategic advice and recommendations to management on communications approaches, activities and tools. As such, the person may be called on to develop and implement communications strategies, often with the aim of promoting departmental services and activities, and sometimes to support management on an issue that may affect a department or the clients it serves.

The work very often involves developing communications products (news releases, frequently asked questions, tweets, web content, key messages, etc.) and coordinating and organizing special or media activities. In some cases, tasks may be a bit more specialized, focusing on the web, the production of multimedia products or media relations.

The person will be called on to supervise a team of 3 to 7 people as the case may be.

Intent of the process

This process may be used for various tenures (acting appointments, assignment, deployment, indeterminate, specified period, secondment), security requirements and conditions of employment within various federal organizations within the Greater Montréal area.

As a result of the potential and possible use of the selection process and subsequent pool by hiring managers, we encourage all employees seeking this type of opportunity to apply.

Candidates may be required to meet the asset qualifications depending on the requirements of the position being staffed. We encourage candidates to demonstrate in their application all the asset criteria that they meet in terms of experience.

PLEASE NOTE: Your initial application will serve to assess your ability to communicate effectively in writing. This assessment is eliminatory, which means that if you do not adequately demonstrate this ability, your application may be screened out. It is therefore essential that you pay attention to the quality of your written interactions with us.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

The following questions pertain to your experiences, and it’s important to give us concrete examples to illustrate them well. It isn’t enough to tell us that your writing skills are valued; tell us what you’ve written (articles, news releases, etc.) and specify the relevant aspects of the context, for example the target clients, the nature of the project, the results achieved, etc. That will help us determine whether you will be evaluated in greater depth. If you are asked to specify dates or time periods, remember to mention them.

PLEASE NOTE: Your initial application will serve to assess your ability to communicate effectively in writing. This assessment is eliminatory, which means that if you do not adequately demonstrate this ability, your application may be screened out. It is therefore essential that you pay attention to the quality of your written interactions with us.

EDUCATION

A degree* from a recognized post-secondary institution.

the term “degree” refers to a baccalaureate as established by educational authorities.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE

• Significant* and recent** experience in developing and implementing communications plans and a wide range of products in support of complex programs, initiatives or projects;

• Significant* and recent** experience in delivering strategic communications advice to senior management;

• Significant* experience in managing communications projects in collaboration with internal and external partners.

* “Significant experience” means experience based on activities with a substantial degree of complexity, depth and scope for a period of at least three (3) years. “Recent experience” means over the last five (5) years.

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

ASSETS

EDUCATION

A degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in communications, marketing, journalism and/or public relations.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE

• Experience writing or coordinating speeches;

• Experience with media relations or issues management

• Experience providing internal communications services

• Experience supervising employees and ensuring the quality of their work

• Experience completing performance measurement activities and analysing communications products or activities

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

Bilingual - Imperative (CCC/CCC)

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge of current practices in communications, including social media

ABILITIES

• Ability to analyse information in order to provide good strategic communications advice;
• Ability to work under pressure in a constantly evolving environment;
• Ability to manage the delivery of client-focused services in a communications environment;
• Ability to manage multiple projects effectively while meeting deadlines;
• Ability to manage human resources;
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing;
• Ability to communicate effectively orally;

COMPETENCIES

• Initiative
• Judgement
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Interpersonal relationships
• Client-centric

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

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENT

The employee may occasionally be required to work overtime on short notice or work a different schedule.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status 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

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.