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

Our intention is to communicate with candidates through emails and/or through the www.canada.ca/government-jobs applicant account. Candidates participating in this selection process must include in their application a valid email address and make sure that this address is functional at all times and that their system accepts messages from unknown users (some email systems block the receipt of these types of email).

All job applications must be submitted using the website. No application will be www.canada.ca/government-jobs. Accepted by email.

Persons are entitled to participate in the selection process in the official language(s) of their choice.

Duties

Provide strategic advice and recommendations to regional management on approaches, activities, communications tools and ways of measuring value and relevance in terms of departmental programs and initiatives or in a crisis situation.

Coordinate the development and implementation of communication strategies to manage issues or promote the Department's services, policies and activities to the clients it serves.

Anticipate issues that may attract media interest and establish appropriate media strategies.

Manage the production of communications tools (press releases, fact sheets, booth, flyers, columns, press lines, questions and answers, Web content and social media, etc.) and the coordination and organization of external (in-depth reporting, proactive media relations, media placements, etc.) and public (press conferences, outreach, etc.) activities.

Acts as the official spokesperson for the Department and supports departmental spokespersons.

Negotiates partnership agreements to maximize the impact of collaborations.

Work environment

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) leads the management of Canada’s fisheries and the safeguarding of Canadian waters. The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG), a Special Operating Agency within DFO, is responsible for services and programs that contribute to the safety, security, and accessibility of Canada’s waterways. With over 10,000 dedicated employees in over 400 locations across Canada, our Department is often the only federal presence in smaller coastal and remote communities. In January 2017, the Department received special recognition as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People.

The Government of Canada has announced the Oceans Protection Plan, a whole-of-government approach to improve marine safety, to work with Indigenous groups, provinces, territories, and other stakeholders to better co-manage Canada’s oceans while advancing the Government’s broader objectives of reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, protection of the environment, protection of our coasts and waterways, and economic growth for the middle class.

DFO/CCG are recruiting to deliver on this significant commitment. A team of dedicated, dynamic and talented professionals, we are looking for enthusiastic individuals to join us in making an impact on the lives of Canadians.

DFO’s scientific knowledge and expertise, advice, products and services support evidence-based decision making, policy development, economic activity and stewardship of our waters. There are exciting career opportunities in areas such as fisheries and aquaculture management, regulation, science and innovation; habitat protection, oceans management, and ecosystems research; and charting of Canadian waters and modelling of ocean conditions, among others.

Located in Mont-Joli, Quebec, on the shores of the St.Lawrence Estuary, the Maurice Lamontagne Institute (MLI) is part of a network of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) research centres. Inaugurated in 1987, it is one of the world’s major francophone marine sciences centres.It employs some 300 people in two large sectors: ocean science and aquatic ecosystems management.The mission of multidisciplinary teams is to provide the federal government with a thorough scientific basis for the conservation and sustainable management of marine resources and aquatic ecosystems, marine environment protection and safe navigation.The main activity area covers the Estuary and Gulf of St.Lawrence, the Saguenay Fjord, Hudson Bay and Hudson Strait; some activities, aimed at the protection of fisheries and aquatic species at risk, cover Quebec’s

The Department also offers exciting opportunities in its Corporate Services in areas such as information technology, program development and services; real property management; and human resource staffing and classification.

Do you believe in the gold standard of service? Do you thrive on change and exciting new projects? If that is who you want to be, then DFO/CCG is the place for you!

Women, Aboriginal people and visible minorities are particularly encouraged to apply.

Intent of the process

The immediate need is to fill an indeterminate IS-04 position at the Communications Branch in Mont-Joli.

A pool of qualified candidates will be established and could be used to fill similar temporary and permanent positions within Fisheries and Oceans Canada in the Quebec Region.

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)

Education

• A university degree from a recognized post-secondary institution. At the manager's discretion, an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience may serve as an alternative to the minimum educational standard.

Degree equivalency

Experience

• Experience in planning communications and related materials (press releases, press lines, Q&A, fact sheets, social media and web content) *on large and complex strategic issues.

*Large and complex strategic issues : Including several parties or partners, as well as multiple elements to consider and which require analysis.

• Experience in providing strategic communications advice to senior management.

• Experience in dealing directly with the news media and providing support to departmental spokespersons in their dealings with the media.

• Experience in organizing media events (press conferences, ministerial announcements, etc.).

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

Bilingual - Imperative (BBB/BBB)

Information on language requirements

Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
• Ability to manage multiple files simultaneously with tight deadlines et meeting those deadlines.
• Ability to research, analyze information and provide informed advice and recommendations.
• Ability to lead projects requiring the collaboration of various partners.
• Ability to work alone, with minimal supervision.

Personal Suitability

• Good interpersonal skills
• Client-focused attitude
• Initiative and judgment
• Creativity

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

Experiences

• Experience in the coordination or project management of multidisciplinary teams among working groups.

•Experience in coordinating communication projects in collaboration with government and non-government partners.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

• Valid Driver’s Licence.
• Willingness and ability to work overtime occasionally.
• Accept and be able, on occasion, to act as first responder to communications for the Canadian Coast Guard 24/7 alerting network.
• Willingness and ability to travel occasionally in Quebec and Ottawa.

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

Official language proficiency: due to its unique character, this essential qualification could be assessed and required solely upon appointment. It is therefore the candidate’s responsibility to inform the person in charge of the selection process if he/she obtains the linguistic requirements after the pool has been established. Also, a person who initially failed linguistic testing could be reintroduced into the pool of qualified candidates during the pool’s validity period if, for example, he/she is assessed again through another selection process or following linguistic training.

Candidates from outside the federal Public Service may be required to pay for their own travel expenses for assessment.

If applicable, you will have to provide proof of your original education credentials when requested.

Candidates must meet the essential qualifications to be appointed to a position.

You will be required to show how you demonstrate the essential qualifications (i.e. Education, Experience and/or Occupational Certification) for the initial screening through the online screening questions. It is NOT sufficient to only state that the qualifications are met or to provide a listing of current or past responsibilities. Rather you must clearly demonstrate HOW, WHEN, and WHERE the qualification was met through substantiation by examples. Information on your described skills, experience, etc. provided in the screening questions should be supported by your resume. Failure to provide the above information in the format required may result in your application being rejected from the process.

A written examination may be administered.
An interview may be administered.
Reference checks may be sought.

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.