Communications Officer - Employment Equity Groups Recruitment

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 apply to this selection process, you are not applying for a specific position, but for an inventory for potential vacancies at different levels (IS-02, IS-03, IS-04). Your application will be assessed on the basis of demonstrated competencies in relation to the selection criteria for each of these levels. As positions become available, applicants who meet the education and experience qualifications may be contacted for further assessment.

By submitting your application, you confirm that you are willing to live and work in Atlantic Canada and, as needed, that you are able and willing to work from home.

The information you must provide are your résumé and a letter. Period. Tell us about yourself. Seriously, it’s as simple as that! Send us an up-to-date copy of your résumé and tell us, in no more than 800 words, how you meet the experience qualifications for the job as either a junior, intermediate or senior communications officer.

Duties

This section will give you more information about the different kind of jobs we're looking to staff.

For the Junior Communications Officer (IS-2) level, we are first and foremost looking for people who are resourceful, enterprising and self-reliant.
• You are resourceful and autonomous.
• You show consistency in everything you do.
• You have a good knowledge of, or perhaps even a passion for, digital technologies, which includes not only information technology but also telecommunications (telephone, radio, television, and computer) and the internet.
• You can well imagine the potential of social networking sites and their impact, both positive and negative, on public opinion.
• You have just completed, or will soon complete, a college or university program.
• You are at the beginning of your career, or re-entering the workforce, and looking for new challenges.
• You like to work in a team.
• Though not an expert, you are interested in a career in communications.

Intermediate Communications Officer (IS-3) applicants already have a good knowledge of the various tools used in planning and implementing original, effective communications campaigns.
• You have written, edited and contributed to the development of products such as communications plans and strategies, fact sheets, news releases, brochures, speeches, or even computer graphics.
• You have knowledge of programming required to publish content for the internet and the intranet.
• You understand and know how to make the most of the potential of social networking sites.
• You understand the importance and role of traditional media.
• You use your creativity, originality and planning skills to help organize memorable media events.
• You have great listening skills and a natural ability to share your thoughts and opinions.
• You have good interpersonal skills and know how to develop and maintain positive, productive working relationships with team members and clients.

As a Senior Communications Officer (IS-04), you already have a solid background in research, planning and implementation of plans and strategies.
• In addition, you have mastered the art of storytelling – you know how to tell, edit and fine-tune captivating, colourful, and powerful stories.
• You understand that a senior officer also needs tact and good interpersonal skills to represent us in interactions with our internal and external clients.
• Moreover, you excel at teamwork, value the contribution of your co-workers, and contribute fully to the success of any project.
• You use your creativity, originality and planning skills to help us organize memorable public and media events.
• You use your interpersonal skills, tactfulness and thoroughness to engage in productive negotiations when it is necessary to adjust schedules, adapt plans to address inevitable contingencies, or iron out differences between co-workers.
• You have a keen analytical mind and an ability to summarize logically and convincingly, qualities that enable you to offer relevant strategic advice to your bosses, clients and partners on sensitive and complex issues.
• You are willing to look for other ways of doing things.
• You are constantly looking for ways to excel and improve, particularly in the development and implementation of effective communications plans and strategies.
• In addition, you manage your stress well.

Work environment

“ACOA is committed to fostering and promoting an accessible, inclusive workplace, as well as employment equity (EE) and diversity. ACOA aims to achieve representation, respect and recognition for all employees, especially those in the designated groups identified in the Employment Equity Act who have historically experienced disadvantages in employment.”

At ACOA, we strongly believe that inclusive, diverse teams foster creativity and lead to better products and services. We want to attract and retain a workforce that represents the diverse communities we serve. For more than a decade, our workplace has consistently ranked among the best in the federal government. Our team always values creativity, success and work-life balance. In addition, we are constantly engaged in succession planning. We need to invest today to prepare the leaders of tomorrow!

Reflecting our communities and the people of Atlantic Canada also helps us to find the right tone and the right word and to consistently develop the most relevant and effective communication strategies.

We pride ourselves on getting the job done and finding solutions on time, on budget and within a team that values respect, trust, effectiveness and efficiency.

We promote local success stories. Every year, we deliver hundreds of funding announcements across Atlantic Canada. Drawing on the full range of communications services and products, we develop strong campaigns that focus on the strengths and potential of our region's diverse communities.

We have offices in each of the four Atlantic Provinces, where our communications officers plan and execute innovative, dynamic, high-impact strategies to promote the Agency’s key priorities.

ACOA is, of course, making it easier to work from home, maximizing the use of video meetings to maintain close contact between co-workers through web conferencing, chat and online meetings. In keeping with this process, you will have the opportunity to work either in Moncton, New Brunswick, or in the community where you currently reside in the Atlantic Region. In the latter case, you will be asked to travel to Moncton for face-to-face meetings a few times a year.

Whether for entry-level (IS-02), intermediate (IS-03) or senior (IS-04) communications officer positions, we are always looking for resourceful, astute communicators ready to achieve excellence in their careers.

We are looking for people who are adaptable to multi-tasking, able to manage sometimes conflicting priorities, and able to quickly and effectively switch their focus to a completely different goal.

Intent of the process

A pool of candidates may be created for future vacancies at the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

* The inventory may be shared with other federal departments or agencies to fill similar positions in their organizations.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter in 800 words (maximum) "Tell us how you meet the experience qualifications for the job as either a junior, intermediate or senior communications officer."

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.

* Based on their education, training and/or experience, indeterminate incumbents of positions in the IS group are deemed to meet the minimum education standard whenever a college diploma or a general bachelor’s degree is required for an IS position. 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

EXPERIENCES:

~ Required experiences for Junior Communications Officer positions (IS-2) ~

EX-1: Experience in developing communications products (e.g., news releases, backgrounders or published articles)
EX-2: Experience in developing and updating digital content such as intranet and internet sites
EX-3: Experience in developing information and graphics for social media

~ Required experiences for Intermediate Communications Officer positions (IS-3) ~

EX-1: Recent experience* in developing a variety of communications products (e.g., news releases, media lines, backgrounders, feature articles, event proposals, and web and/or social media content) in a time-sensitive environment
EX-2: Recent experience* in establishing effective collaborative working relationships with various partners within a recognized organization or company
EX-3: Recent experience* in implementing activities related to communications plans of a recognized organization or company

~ Required experiences for Senior Communications Officer positions (IS-4) ~

EX-1: Significant** recent* experience in developing a variety of communications products (e.g., news releases, media lines, backgrounders, feature articles, event proposals, and web and/or social media content) in a time-sensitive environment
EX-2: Significant** recent* experience in developing and implementing communication plans related to the activities of a recognized organization or company
EX-3: Recent experience* in anticipating change, questioning ideas, assessing risks and recommending alternative strategies for solving new and evolving problems.


* Recent experience means within the last five (5) years.
** Significant experience means the depth and breadth of experience associated with full-time performance of the duties for a period of at least two (2) years.

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

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS:

In support of achieving a represented workforce, current or future organizational needs will require consideration be given to candidates self-identifying as belonging to one of the following Employment Equity groups: members of visible minorities, persons with disabilities, and Aboriginal peoples.

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

Various language requirements
All posititions require a bilingual (french and english) imperative profile. The levels of proficiency will vary depending of the position to be staffed.
- BBB/BBB
- CBC/CBC
- 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

KNOWLEDGES:

~ Required knowledges for Junior Communications Officer positions (IS-2) ~

K-1: Knowledge of the workings, opportunities and limitations of various social media
K-2: Knowledge of the role and expectations of traditional media and social media
K-3: Knowledge of communications methods and techniques, including new and innovative approaches and best practices


~ Required knowledges for Intermediate Communications Officer positions (IS-3) ~

K-1: Knowledge of the workings, opportunities and limitations of various social media;
K-2: Knowledge of the role and expectations of traditional media;
K-3: Knowledge of communications methods and techniques, including new and innovative approaches and best practices.


~ Required knowledges for Senior Communications Officer positions (IS-4) ~

K-1: Knowledge of the workings, opportunities and limitations of the various digital platforms;
K-2: Knowledge of the role and expectations of traditional media;
K-3: Knowledge of communication methods and techniques, including new and innovative approaches and best practices.

ABILITIES:

~ Required abilities for Junior Communications Officer positions (IS-2) ~

A-1: Ability to communicate effectively;
A-2: Ability to synthesize information from a variety of sources into communication products;
A-3: Fully assumes responsibilities;
A-4: Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously within tight deadlines;
A-5: Exercises sound judgement;
A-6: Builds effective, professional, courteous personal relationships with others.


~ Required abilities for Intermediate Communications Officer positions (IS-3) ~

A-1: Ability to communicate clearly and precisely;
A-2: Ability to synthesize information from a variety of sources into communications products;
A-3: Ability to implement the tactics of communication plans;
A-4: Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously under tight deadlines;
A-5: Exercises sound judgement;
A-6: Builds effective, professional, courteous personal relationships with others.


~ Required abilities for Senior Communications Officer positions (IS-4) ~

A-1: Excellent communication skills
A-2: Ability to quickly synthesize information from a variety of sources into communication products in clear, simple, evocative language
A-3: Ability to develop and oversee the implementation of effective communication plans and strategies
A-4: Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously within tight deadlines, in compliance and with full respect for the related human and financial resources
A-5: Exercises sound judgement;
A-6: Builds effective, professional, courteous personal relationships with others.

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

Additional experiences that could be used as assets when considering candidates:

EA-1: Experience in the effective and timely management of emergency/crisis communications
EA-2: Experience in managing and publishing website content
EA-3: Experience in managing events (on site and/or virtually)
EA-4: Experience in media relations (traditional and/or digital media)
EA-5: Experience in positively influencing public opinion
EA-6: Proficiency in a language other than English or French

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Willing to travel
• Willing to work overtime on short notice, including weekends

Conditions of employment

Security level clearance that will be required: Enhanced Reliability

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

• Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their application online through the jobs.gc.ca website.
• Various assessment tools may be administered.
• All communications received in this selection process, from the time of application to the end of the process, may be used in assessing applicants.
• If you are already a Public Service of Canada employee, please clearly identify the group and level of your substantive position and your employment status in your résumé and/or your application.
• Acknowledgement of receipt of applications will not be sent. We will contact applicants when the screening process is completed.
• You will be required to provide proof of educational qualifications later in this process.
• Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language(s) of their choice.
• Our intention is to communicate with candidates via email. Applicants to this selection process must include a valid email address in their application and make sure that this address is functional at all times and accepts messages from unknown users (some email systems block these types of emails).

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.