Media Relations Specialist

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

PLEASE NOTE, WE WILL ONLY ACCEPT ON-LINE APPLICATIONS RECEIVED VIA THE Canada.ca SITE. Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying on-line are asked to contact the individual noted at the bottom of this advertisement.

NOTE: Applications are to be received online by clicking on the button below. Please do not send your resume or application to the Contact noted unless you are a person with a disability who is unable to apply online. The Contact can assist with general questions.

Please do not email the Contact asking for an update. You will be contacted if your resume will be considered further.

You will be assessed on your submission, which will include a resume and a cover letter. You will clearly outline in your cover letter how you meet each of the screening qualifications (education and experience - both essential and assets) by using headers to clearly indicate the qualification you are demonstrating. Your resume must be linked to the information in your cover letter.

Please note that it is not sufficient to only state that you meet the experience qualification, rather you must provide concrete examples. When describing your experience for each factor, describe or list specifically what activities you have done that would sufficiently demonstrate how recent and how extensive your experience is.

If you do not fully complete the screening questions as instructed, you may be screened out. It is not acceptable to put “see resume” in the space provided to answer the questions. You MUST clearly demonstrate in writing how you meet the Essential Education, and Experience requirements. Provide examples and describe the work/duties you have performed. Failure to do so may result in your application not being considered further during the screening process.

Any or all of the asset qualifications, operational requirements, and organizational needs may be used for the screening of applications. If you meet these criteria, please clearly demonstrate how you meet them in writing. Provide examples and describe the work/duties you have performed. Failure to do so may result in your application not being considered further during the screening process.

Original proof of your education will be requested and must be provided during the selection process, in order to verify that candidates meet the education requirement. Candidates who are unable to provide proof that they meet this essential qualification as requested may be eliminated from the process. Also note, if the name on your education credentials does not match the name on your current photo identification, you will need to provide proof of your name change.

Education obtained outside of Canada must be evaluated. Please contact The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials as soon as possible to initiate the evaluation process http://www.cicic.ca/

Work environment

The RCMP’s Lower Mainland District is looking for a media professional to take charge of its communications. The LMD Office is located near the heart of downtown Surrey, BC, at the RCMP “E” Division Headquarters. The building is close to Skytrain and transit services, and features a number of amenities, including a gym and full-service cafeteria.

Spend your breaks walking the trails of Green Timbers Urban Forrest, perfect for an organization that promotes and encourages healthy habits. Work-life balance is important and partial telework may be available upon approval of the manager. The RCMP also recognizes the diversity of its workforce and is committed to providing a respectful workplace free of harassment, discrimination and other forms of disrespectful behaviour.

Consider building a career with a world-renowned organization and adding your skills and experience to 150 years of excellence!

Intent of the process

The anticipated intent/result of this process is to indeterminately staff (on a full time basis) one position.

Should a Civilian Member (CM) be found qualified and selected for appointment, the appointment will not result in a change of status to the Public Service (PS) category for the CM.

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 degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a field related to the position, such as communications, journalism, or public relations.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
• Experience developing and implementing communications plans for major organizational change programs.
• Experience coordinating communication efforts.
• Experience in facilitating events and providing event-planning services.
• Experience with in-the-field news reporting, commentary, and news production.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
• Knowledge of research design and interpretation related to evaluation of communications and issue management strategies.

Abilities and Skills:
• Ability to plan, to organize and manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to problem-solve.
• Ability to shift priorities in a fast-paced, demanding environment.
• Ability to identify issues or problems, determine associated risk, recommend solutions, and implement decisions.
• Ability to use electronic media techniques (Web, Internet, E-mail, Social Media, etc.).
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Personal Suitability:
• Leadership
• Judgment
• Discretion
• Initiative
• Effective Interpersonal Relationships

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

Asset Qualifications
Experience:
• Experience with media lines – social media, digital content, news releases, backgrounders, media inquiry responses, questions and answers, key messages, and media analysis and scans.
• Experience providing communications advice and recommendations to management and internal clients and partners.

Knowledge:
• Knowledge of the Government of Canada and the Royal Canadian Mounted Polices’ organization, mission and strategic priorities.
• Knowledge of how the Communications & Analysis Section contributes to the ongoing operations, goals and strategies of “E” Division, Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
• Knowledge of the public affairs and communications functions of the other federal and provincial government ministries and agencies, international law enforcement agencies, as well as partner organizations that work in conjunction with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
• General understanding of Federal and Provincial legislation related to the Criminal Code, and Access to Information and Privacy Act.
• Knowledge of Federal and Provincial regulatory bodies overseeing the business of newsgathering and dissemination.

Operational Requirements:
• Willingness and ability to respond to urgent requests outside of working hours and to work periodically overtime on short notice.
• Willingness and ability to travel to attend meetings, events or conferences.
• Demonstrate a high degree of psychological or emotional effort due to the nature of the job, offering advice and preparing written materials that can directly and immediately impact the reputation of the RCMP based on public perception.

Conditions of employment

• Enhanced Reliability Status with 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

Receipt of applications will not be sent. Candidates will be considered for positions as they become available, and will be advised of any further evaluation.

Applicants are encouraged to apply ONLY if they are willing and able to work in Surrey, BC. All positions are located at 14200 Green Timbers Way, Surrey, BC. Pay parking options only.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.

NOTE: Successful candidates will require a valid RCMP security clearance prior to appointment and throughout the tenure of their employment. The process to obtain RCMP security clearance involves a security/reliability interview and a field investigation regarding matters of criminal activity which includes reference checks, verification of credit/financial status, education, employment, etc. As such, the process may take several weeks or months to complete.

To be granted RCMP security clearance and to maintain the ethical standards of the RCMP, candidates must not be, or have been, involved in certain criminal activities, have been dishonourably discharged, have pending personal bankruptcies, etc. For additional information and a complete list of activities, please visit http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/good-character . The security requirements are the same for all employees of the RCMP.

Depending on the requirements of the position being staffed from this process, for current or future vacancies, any or all of the asset qualifications, operational requirements, and organizational needs may be applied at the time of staffing. Candidates may be contacted and assessed against these criteria at any time during this process.

Interested persons must meet the essential qualifications to be appointed to the position, in a manner determined by the Selection Board. A person may be appointed to the position even though he/she does not meet any or all of the asset qualifications, operational requirements or organizational needs. However, meeting these criteria is desirable and may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed.

Please note that within the context of this selection process, travel costs/expenses will not be reimbursed. Consequently, candidates will be responsible for travel costs.

Random selection may be used to identify which applicants will be assessed or appointed in this appointment process.

Top-down selection may apply.

Incorrect or fraudulent information provided by a candidate during the application or assessment process will result in elimination from the process.

Experience qualifications will be assessed upon application. Further confirmation or assessment may be conducted through reference checks.

Those selected for assessment should be prepared to provide the names and contact information of recent references (recent is defined as within the last 2 years):

References must be available, have an in-depth knowledge of your work/projects, and must be able to answer specific questions pertaining to your experience, achievements and strengths.

References that are not reachable and/or not available are lowering the candidates’ chances to be found fully qualified and be considered for appointment. When providing names of references, it is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are available to respond in a timely manner.

All information obtained throughout the selection process, from time of application to close of process, may be used to evaluate candidates.

PLEASE NOTE: Where an e mail address is provided, the Selection Board may choose to communicate with candidates by e mail to provide/request information and to invite candidates to attend any portion of the assessment. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required.

Acknowledgment of receipt of applications will not be sent. We will contact candidates when the screening process is completed.

Candidates must meet the conditions of employment and continue to meet these same conditions during their employment.

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.