Communications Officer (IS-03) / Communications Advisor (IS-04) at Health Canada

Update: Dear Candidates, this message is to inform you that we have updated some clarifications on the Essential criterion of the Education.

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

C.V. and Answers to an online screening questionnaire are required.

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.

Health Canada is committed to increasing representation of Black employees and other racialized groups, Indigenous People, women and persons with disabilities. Health Canada would like its workforce to be reflective of the population it serves. Therefore, we encourage candidates to indicate voluntarily on their application if they are a member of one of these groups.

Give yourself the best chance to succeed! As the objective of this process is to assess qualifications needed for the position(s) to be staffed, let us know if you have a functional limitation/ disability, which may affect your performance. For example, contact us if you need assistance in completing and submitting your application. Should you then proceed to the next assessment stage, such as an exam or interview, we will send you an e-mail with additional information on the assessment format so that you can determine if you may require an accommodation (such as a different test format, an adaptive technology, or additional time). Assessment accommodations are designed to remove the obstacles without altering the criteria being assessed so candidates with functional limitations can fully demonstrate their abilities.

You may also review jobs open to the public through INFOTEL at 1-800-645-5605. The INFOTEL number for persons using a TTY/TDD is 1-800-532-9397.

Health Canada welcomes applications from Veterans. We recognize your contribution to Canadians and would like to offer you the opportunity to continue your career in an environment where multi-talented employees with diverse skills are appreciated and supported.

Inclusivity / EVERYONE IS WELCOME
Health Canada and the Public Health Agency are dedicated to building an inclusive workforce that comprises individuals who have an array of identities, abilities, background, culture, skills, perspectives, and experiences that are representative of Canada’s current and evolving population. We are passionate about fostering a workplace where all people feel welcome, can reach their full potential, and contribute their unique perspectives and experience to the success of the team.

BRING YOUR WHOLE SELF TO WORK
We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of race, colour, religion, sex (including gender identity and/or expression), national origin, sexual orientation, civil union or relationship status, disability, age, parental status, military service, or other status protected under federal law.

In your application you WILL be required to answer the screening questions to demonstrate how you meet the essential qualifications (education and experience) and asset qualifications (education and experience) you may possess.

When answering the screening questions, remember that the assessment board cannot make assumptions about your experience. It is insufficient to say that you have the required qualifications or to list your current or past duties. Rather, using this tool, candidates must demonstrate how they meet the education and experience criteria listed in the job opportunity advertisement by providing clear and concrete examples.

Your application will be used to assess written communication, therefore, please use complete sentences in your responses. Ensure you use appropriate vocabulary, grammar, punctuation, usage and structure. Your application may be rejected because the assessment committee will not have the information necessary to determine if you meet the qualifications.

You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to the position. Other qualifications may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed.

Work environment

The Communications and Public Affairs Branch (CPAB) at Health Canada supports both Health Canada (HC) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).

The Digital Communications Division (DCD) within CPAB is a passionate group of people with a broad range of talents and interests who care deeply about communicating digitally so that everyone can find, access, understand information and complete tasks.

People on our team find it both interesting and fulfilling to have a direct impact on protecting, improving and promoting health among people living in Canada.

To help everyone do their best, in our workplace, we value:
• inclusion, equity and diversity
• workplace wellness
• innovation and creativity
• collaboration
• continuous learning and development

To help our audiences complete their tasks, in our work, we value:
• accessibility
• evidence-based solutions
• the user experience
• clear and plain language

Our office is located in Ottawa at Tunney’s Pasture. We offer primarily a flexible hybrid work environment, and telework arrangements may be possible under special circumstances.

We are pleased to announce that, for the second year in a row, Health Canada has been selected as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers of 2022 by Mediacorp Canada. Canada’s Top 100 Employers recognizes organizations with exceptional human resources programs and forward-thinking workplace policies. Health Canada was recognized for its continuous support to employees during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as its ongoing commitment to ending racism and discrimination. You can read more on Mediacorp’s site.

At Health Canada, we believe that work-life balance is key to healthy work environment. We currently working in a Hybrid Work Environment.

Come and be part of the Team and contribute to the achievement of health and public health related government priorities.

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to create a pool of candidates to fill similar or identical positions as they become available with various linguistic profiles, durations (specified period, indeterminate, assignment, secondment, acting appointment and deployment) and conditions of employment at Health Canada and may be used by other departments across Canada.

By applying to this process, you consent to your personal application-related information being shared with other government departments interested in staffing same or similar positions.

HOW TO APPLY
1. Read the requirements for the position, especially “Section 1: Essential qualifications that will be assessed now.” This is what you will be providing when you begin the process.

2. When ready, select “Apply online” (located at the top and bottom of the poster) to begin the online application process. Applications submitted in any other format will not be accepted. If you are unable to submit your application via this web page because of limitations or special circumstances, you must contact us at the address at the bottom of the poster before the closing date.

3. When submitting your application to this selection process, you will be required to answer screening questions to demonstrate how you meet the Essential Qualifications (Education and all Essential Experiences). Education and/or Experience factors in the asset qualifications may also be used for screening.
- One or more asset qualifications may be used during the screening to manage the volume of applications.
- Candidates may be asked to provide proof of their education credentials at a later date.

4. You may apply for one or more stream and/or level. In your application, please clearly indicate which stream(s) and level(s) you are applying to. Please note: In order for your application to be accepted by the system, you MUST provide responses to all the experiences under the stream and/or level that you wish to be considered for.

5. An online questionnaire is part of this application process. Some questions are in a yes/no format, however, some will require additional details. To avoid being screened out at this stage, please read the questions carefully and provide as much detail as possible. Do not copy and paste your resume when answering these questions.

6. Your resume will be used for additional support for the answers you provide.

7. Once you begin the online questionnaire, you can save your progress and continue it later.

8. Check over your work and submit your application before the deadline.

ABOUT THE 4 DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS STREAMS
For this poster, you are applying to one or more of 4 streams, which represent roles within our Digital Communications Division. Each stream has 2 levels of positions: IS-03 and IS-04. You can apply to one or more streams, at one or both levels, when prompted to do so in our online application process.

THE STREAMS AND POSITIONS ARE:

STREAM 1 - DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS
- Digital Communications Officer (IS-03)
- Digital Communications Advisor (IS-04)

STREAM 2 - WEB PUBLISHING
- Web Publisher (IS-03)
- Senior Web Publisher (IS-04)

STREAM 3 - SOCIAL MEDIA
- Social Media Officer (IS-03)
- Social Media Advisor (IS-04)

STREAM 4 - WEB AND PLAIN LANGUAGE WRITING
- Web Writer Editor (IS-03)
- Senior Web Writer Editor (IS-04)

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)

SECTION 1: ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS THAT WILL BE ASSESSED NOW

The following criteria are essential to the positions and will be applied or assessed in your initial online application. Therefore, your initial application, including your résumé and answers to the online screening questionnaire must clearly explain how you meet them.

EDUCATION
For Stream 1-Digital Communications, Stream 2-Web publishing, Stream 3-Social Media and Stream 4-Web and plain language writing.

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

EXPERIENCE

Definitions - Some terms you will find in this section:
*Recent experience is defined as in the last five (5) years.
** Significant experience refers to the breadth and depth of the experience normally associated with having performing a broad range of related activities for a minimum of two (2) years.
*** Complex is defined as projects that have at least two (2) of the following characteristics:
- multidimensional
- sensitive
- confidential
- affecting many stakeholders
- precedent setting
- having a major impact on the department or agency
- having potential for significant media coverage

STREAM 1 - DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS

DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER (IS-03):
• Recent* experience providing advice and guidance on web content for a government, private sector, non-profit organization, or other organization.
• Experience coordinating, assessing, preparing, adapting, and assuring quality of content for web publication.
• Experience supporting collaborative content with multiple project partners.
• Experience applying digital and web standards and policies to a variety of situations for a government, private sector, non-profit organization, or other organization.

DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS ADVISOR (IS-04):
• Recent* and significant** experience providing advice and guidance on web content for a government, private sector, non-profit organization, or other organization.
• Experience advising on, coordinating, assessing, preparing, adapting, and assuring quality of content for online publication.
• Experience managing and leading complex***and collaborative web or communications projects with multiple project partners.
• Experience interpreting and applying digital and web standards and policies to a variety of situations government, private sector, non-profit organization, or other organization.

STREAM 2 - WEB PUBLISHING

WEB PUBLISHER (IS-03):
• Minimum 2 years of experience coding web pages in HTML.
• Experience coding WCAG 2.0 accessible web pages.
• Experience validating web pages for quality assurance (e.g. design, code and content).

SENIOR WEB PUBLISHER (IS-04):
• Minimum 3 years of experience coding web pages in HTML.
• Experience coding using the Web Experience Toolkit (WET 4).
• Experience managing technical web projects from start to end (i.e. planning, advising and implementing).
• Experience writing best practices, guidelines or work procedures.

STREAM 3 - SOCIAL MEDIA

SOCIAL MEDIA OFFICER (IS-03):
• Recent* experience writing, revising, and coordinating content for social media channels for a government, private sector, non-profit organization, or other organization.
• Recent* experience monitoring or moderating social media accounts for a government, private sector, non-profit organization, or other organization.
• Recent* experience contributing to the development of social media plans and strategies.

SOCIAL MEDIA ADVISOR (IS-04):
• Recent* and significant** experience planning, advising on, writing, revising ensuring quality of, and posting content for social media channels for a government, private sector, non-profit organization, or other organization.
• Recent* and significant** experience monitoring or moderating social media accounts for a government, private sector, non-profit organization, or other organization.
• Recent* and significant** experience leading the development of social media plans and strategies.

STREAM 4 - WEB and PLAIN LANGUAGE WRITING

WEB WRITER (IS-03):
• Recent* experience providing advice and guidance about plain language for web content or communications products.
• Recent* experience in providing plain language web writing and editing services.
• Experience supporting collaborative communications projects with multiple project partners.
• Experience applying standards and policies to a variety of situations for a government, private sector, non-profit organization, or other organization.

SENIOR WEB WRITER (IS-04):
• Recent* and significant** experience providing advice and guidance about plain language for web content or communications products.
• Recent* and significant** experience in providing plain language web writing and editing services.
• Experience managing and leading complex*** and collaborative communications projects with multiple project partners.
• Experience interpreting and applying standards and policies to a variety of situations for a government, private sector non-profit organization, or other organization.

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

SECTION 3: (Asset criteria that may be assessed later (may be required for employment) )

The following criteria are not required for the positions, but because they could be helpful to have, or might be needed for a future position, they may be applied or assessed at a later date.

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS

ASSETS FOR STREAM 1 - DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS AND STREAM 4 - WEB AND PLAIN LANGUAGE WRITING:
• Experience providing advice and guidance on web content for the Government of Canada.
• Experience in providing plain language web writing and editing services for the Government of Canada.
• Experience using web analytics software such as (but not limited to) Adobe Analytics and Google Analytics.
• Experience working on search engine optimization and metadata.
• Experience in web and plain language writing.
• Experience working in user experience (UX) research, prototyping, testing, analysis and/or design.
• Experience working in content design and/or information architecture analysis, design and research.
• Experience working in web design.
• Experience working in social media.
• Experience working in data, data visualizations, data dashboards, or open data for online publication.
• Experience working in science communications: communicating science-based information in plain language.

ASSETS FOR STREAM 2 - WEB PUBLISHING:
• Experience coding web pages in HTML for the Government of Canada.
• Experience in creating cascading style sheets (CSS).
• Experience creating and editing fillable PDF forms that meet all Government of Canada Accessibility standards.
• Experience in graphic design for the web.
• Experience with publishing, editing and/or creating multimedia products.
• Experience working in a web content management system to create, code and publish web content.

ASSETS FOR STREAM 3 - SOCIAL MEDIA:
• Experience writing, revising, and coordinating content for social media channels for the Government of Canada.
• Experience with social media reporting.
• Experience in working with a social media content management tool such as (but not limited to) Hootsuite.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability and willingness to work occasional overtime on short notice.
• Ability and willingness to be on call as needed during evenings and weekends.

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

Various language requirements
SECTION 2: The following criteria are essential to the positions and will be applied or assessed at a later date.

Depending on the position, it will require one of the following language requirements:
• Bilingual - Imperative (BBB/BBB)
• Bilingual – Imperative (CBC/CBC)
• English Essential
• French Essential
• Bilingual – Imperative (PPB/PPB)
• Bilingual – Imperative (PPC/PPC)

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE - (THE FOLLOWING WILL BE APLLIED / ASSESSED AT A LATER DATE (ESSENTIAL FOR THE JOB))

STREAM 1 - DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS

BOTH IS-03 / IS-04 - DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER (IS-03) AND DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS ADVISOR (IS-04):
• Knowledge of current Government of Canada digital and web standards, including:
- Canada.ca Content Style Guide
- Canada.ca Design System
- Canada.ca Information Architecture Specification
- Standard on Web Accessibility
- Standard on Web Usability
• Knowledge of current industry best practices, emerging technologies and trends for web and digital content.

STREAM 2 - WEB PUBLISHING

BOTH IS-03 / IS-04 - WEB PUBLISHER (IS-03) AND SENIOR WEB PUBLISHER (IS-04):
• Knowledge of Government of Canada web standards, including:
- Standard on Web Accessibility and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 (WCAG 2.0)
- Standard on Web Usability

ONLY IS-04 - SENIOR WEB PUBLISHER (IS-04):
• Knowledge of web server environments and web site scripting languages, such as JavaScript, PHP, AJAX, or other modern scripting languages.
• Knowledge of new and emerging trends in the publishing of digital communications products.

STREAM 3 - SOCIAL MEDIA

BOTH IS-03 / IS-04 - SOCIAL MEDIA OFFICER (IS-03) AND SOCIAL MEDIA ADVISOR (IS-04):
• Knowledge of Government of Canada standards related to social media
• Knowledge of social media best practices, tools and trends

STREAM 4 - WEB and PLAIN LANGUAGE WRITING

BOTH IS-03 / IS-04 - WEB WRITER EDITOR (IS-03) and SENIOR WEB WRITER EDITOR (IS-04):
• Knowledge of current Government of Canada standards related to plain language and web writing, including:
- Canada.ca Content Style Guide,
- Canada.ca Design System.
• Knowledge of industry best practices, tools and trends related to plain language and web writing.
• Knowledge of Canada.ca task-based user experience principles.

COMPETENCIES

ALL STREAMS AND LEVELS:
• Attention to detail
• Initiative
• Adaptability
• Dependability
• Respect for diversity
• Effective interpersonal relationships
• Client Service Oriented

IS-04 ONLY:
• Strategic thinking

ABILITIES

ALL STREAMS AND LEVELS:
• Ability to communicate effectively orally.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities, negotiate timelines and meet deadlines.
• Ability to analyze problems, innovate, find and recommend creative solutions to problems.

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

ORGANIZATIONAL NEED

Health Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. 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.

Information on employment equity https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/jobs/services/gc-jobs/employment-equity.html

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - Various conditions of employment (Reliability or Secret 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

ONLINE APPLICATION
Only online applications through the jobs.gc.ca website will be accepted. Applications submitted by email will not be accepted.

Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying online are asked to contact the email referenced below under ''Contact information''.

WHEN APPLYING ONLINE, YOU CAN
• Create a profile and resume that can be used when applying for other processes without having to recreate a new application each time.
• Update your applications at any time before the deadline.
• Verify the status of your application at any time.
• Find other important information related to the process.

If you have an enquiry about your Applicant Profile, please contact the Public Service Commission directly for assistance.

Please identify the following on your application: substantive group and level if applicable; employment status; Personal Record Identifier (PRI).

Communication for this pool will be sent via email. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required. Candidates who apply to this pool should include an email address that accepts email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email).

All communication relating to this pool, including email correspondence may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS
You are entitled to participate in the application process in the official language of your choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.

APPOINTMENT DECISIONS
Appointment decisions may be based on one or more of the following criteria:
• Matching of the individual's experience or qualifications to the strengths and weaknesses of the work team.
• Matching of the individual's experience or qualifications to the specific duties of the position being staffed.
• Depth, breadth, type of work-specific experience.
• Level/degree of one or more competencies/qualifications.
• A random or top down selection of candidates may be used in the determination of those to be given further consideration in the assessment process. Top-down consideration of scores at any stage of this process may be used to determine the number of qualified candidates who will be considered further in the process.
• Reference checks may be sought.
• An interview may be administered.
• Reference checks may be sought.
• A written exam may be administered.
• A situational exercise may be administered.
• All communication relating to this process, including email correspondence may be used in the assessment of qualifications. The application and screening questions may be used to assess written communication.
• Candidates may be asked to provide proof of their education credentials at a later date.
• Assignments, secondments and acting appointment require the approval of your current supervisor.

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.