Stream 1 – Senior Communications Advisor / Stream 2 – Principal Speechwriter

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

We thank all applicants for their interest in our position(s). For the purpose of this staffing process, only candidates selected for further assessment will be contacted.

Work environment

Are you a creative and innovative thinker? Are you seeking to work with a team of highly motivated and talented communications professionals on files relating to mining, forestry, clean technology and more? Then we want to hear from you!

We are passionate about fostering a workplace where all people feel welcome and can reach their full potential. Which is why we strive to provide an environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Whether you identify as Indigenous, a person with a disability, as a racialized Canadian, as a member of the LGBTQ2+ community or as a young professional, we want to leverage your unique perspective and experience for the success of our team. Employees can connect with like-minded colleagues through a number of communities, such as:

• the Persons With Disabilities Network, that helps all persons with disabilities realize their full potential as individuals and fully contribute to the objectives of NRCan;
• the Indigenous Employee Network, where all NRCan employees, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, come together to participate in Traditional Ceremonies;
• the Visible Minority Advisory Council, that launched the Employee Development Fund to support the professional development needs of their members;
• BEACON (Black Employees Advisory Council), a network of Black people who work at NRCan and have come together to share their lived experiences, support each other and work to eliminate anti-Back racism;
• the Pride Network, a community of LGBTQ2+ employees and their allies at NRCan who gather to promote a healthy and inclusive work environment through social activities, mutual support, educational events, and advocacy;
• the Young Professionals Network, that provides career and professional development opportunities that foster sharing, promote leadership, and improve members’ ability to develop their skillset and contribute to the department and Government of Canada.

Some added bonuses to working at NRCan is that we are known for:
• Our creativity, innovation and work-life balance
• Having a modern activity-based workplace
• Leveraging data and science to make smart decisions

Intent of the process

A pool of (fully or partially) qualified candidates may be established through this process to staff identical or similar positions at Natural Resources Canada with various tenures (determinate period or indeterminate), various linguistic requirements (imperative and/or non-imperative), language requirements (English Essential, French Essential, English or French Essential and Bilingual) and profile(s) (BBB/BBB, CBC/CBC, CCC/CCC, etc.)), various security requirements, various conditions of employment and for various locations.

This is an anticipatory process.

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)

Education:
ED1: 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

Stream 1 – Senior Communications Advisor
Experience:
EXP1. Extensive* experience developing and implementing communications strategies and other communication products.
EXP2. Experience providing communications advice to senior management**.
EXP3. Experience writing and/or editing communications products.
EXP5. Experience planning or managing events or other communications activities

DEFINITIONS:
*Extensive: Defined as having the depth and breadth of experience that would normally be acquired over two (2) years or more in the last five (5) years.
**Senior Management is defined as Director General (or equivalent) and above.
Communications Setting: The following communications fields: program/policy communications, marketing, web or social media, outreach or stakeholder relations, media relations, ministerial events, issues management, internal communications, public opinion research, speech writing or other appropriate field.

Stream 2 – Principal Speechwriter
Experience:
EXP1. Recent* and extensive** experience in writing and coordinating communications products, including speeches, statements or messages, that support ministers or senior officials*** for public events.
EXP2. Experience building collaborative working relationships with a variety of stakeholders in a client service environment.
EXP3. Experience providing strategic communications advice and recommendations to clients and senior management***.
EXP4. Recent experience in managing multiple projects simultaneously in a communications setting with multiple deadlines.

DEFINITIONS:
*Recent: Defined as experience acquired over the past two (2) years.
**Extensive: Defined as having the depth and breadth of experience that would normally be acquired over two (2) years or more in the last five (5) years.
***Senior Officials / Management: Director General or above.
Communications Setting: The following communications fields: program/policy communications, marketing, web or social media, outreach or stakeholder relations, media relations, ministerial events, issues management, internal communications, public opinion research, or speech writing.

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

Various language requirements
Bilingual Imperative BBB/BBB or CBC/CBC

Information on language requirements

All Streams - Abilities:
AB1. Ability to prioritize and meet tight deadlines
AB2. Ability to work independently
AB3. Ability to work effectively with others
AB4. Ability to communicate effectively orally
AB5. Ability to communicate effectively in writing

Stream 2 – Principal Speechwriter
Ability to research, analyze and synthesize information from a variety of sources into speaking points.

All streams - Personal Suitability:
Strong interpersonal skills
Initiative and being action-oriented
Judgment and analytical thinking
Client service orientation
Attention to detail

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

Stream 1 – Senior Communications Advisor - Asset Qualifications:
Experience in issues management
Experience in media relations
Experience in Public Opinion Research
Knowledge of social media best practices

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS
Natural Resources Canada is committed to establishing and maintaining a representative workforce. This organizational need may be identified as part of the appointment decision. In such cases, qualified candidates who self-declare as members of a visible minority group, Indigenous Peoples, Persons with Disabilities or women (in non-traditional occupations) could be considered in priority.

Operational Requirements:
Willingness to carry a government-owned mobile device during and outside working hours.
Willingness to work overtime, often on short notice.

Conditions of employment

Secret security clearance

All employees of the core public administration are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and attest to their vaccination status unless accommodated based on a medical contraindication, religion, or another prohibited ground for discrimination as defined under the Canadian Human Rights Act.

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

Reference checks may be sought.

An interview may be administered.

A test may be administered.

Please identify clearly for which position(s) you are submitting an application.

Indeterminate employees at the same group and level or equivalent will be considered for deployment. If no deployment is made, applicants from other groups and levels will be considered in the advertised appointment process.

You must provide proof of your education credentials.

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

A random and/or top down selection of candidates may be used in the determination of those to be given further consideration in the assessment process.

On October 6, 2021, the Government of Canada announced details of its plans to require vaccination across the federal public service.

As per the new Policy on COVID-19 Vaccination for the Core Public Administration Including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, federal public servants in the Core Public Administration and members of the RCMP must attest to their vaccination status. The requirement for employees to be fully vaccinated applies whether they are teleworking, working remotely or working on-site. This is a condition of employment and it applies to indeterminate (permanent), determinate (term), casual, and student hiring. Should you reach the point in the selection process where it is necessary to verify terms and conditions of employment then the hiring manager or a human resources representative will contact you in order to complete an attestation.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans first and then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, 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.