Communications Officer at City of Saint John

Job Title: Communications Officer
Company Name: City of Saint John
Location: Saint John, NB (In-person)
Job Type: Full-time

Job Summary:
The Communications Officer at the City of Saint John plays a vital role in formulating and implementing strategic communications that promote the city as an excellent place to live, study, work, and play. This position is essential for fostering positive relationships and informing the public and city employees about municipal services, activities, and policies.

Key Responsibilities:
– Develop, implement, and evaluate strategic communications plans and campaigns that support the City's priorities and objectives.
– Coordinate communications initiatives, programs, and events with various service areas, departments, partners, agencies, boards, and commissions.
– Identify and analyze potential PR issues and opportunities, recommending effective responses to the communications manager.
– Create communications materials, including newsletters, videos, letters, statements, speeches, news releases, Q&As, digital content, and social media posts.
– Assist the manager with responses to media inquiries.
– Track and report on media coverage and public opinion trends.
– Prepare and submit reports to the manager as requested.
– Seek opportunities for partnerships, sponsorships, and advertising.
– Provide communications support to the Saint John Emergency Management Organization as needed.
– Ensure consistent messaging and branding that reflects corporate standards.
– Organize events such as press conferences, special announcements, and official openings, serving as a City spokesperson when requested.
– Maintain good vendor and supplier relationships in accordance with corporate purchasing policies.
– Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
– An undergraduate degree in public relations, communications, journalism, or a related field.
– A minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in a related field.
– Strong prioritization and time management skills to handle high volumes of detailed work with conflicting priorities and multiple deadlines.
– Strong work ethic and initiative.
– Proven professional and ethical conduct in executing responsibilities.
– Experience working under the direction of a manager.
– Knowledge of communications principles, including internal communications, public relations, media relations, public engagement, and crisis communications.
– Ability to think and plan strategically while paying close attention to detail.
– Experience in government media relations is a strong asset.
– Proficiency with social media platforms and familiarity with Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or InDesign is a plus.
– Written and verbal proficiency in both official languages is a strong asset.

Preferred Qualifications:
– Experience planning, producing, and editing traditional publications and digital content for distribution.
– Experience with other multimedia platforms would also be considered an asset.
– A combination of education, certification, and experience may be considered.

Salary and Benefits:
– The successful applicant will be eligible to work a compressed work week of 4 days throughout the City's Compressed Work Week Trial. This schedule is subject to change.

Application Process:
Applications will be accepted through the City of Saint John's online system only. Qualified applicants should submit their cover letters and resumes to:
City of Saint John
Attention: Hiring Committee
www.saintjohn.ca (careers/employment opportunities)

Only those applicants being considered further will be contacted.

Equal Opportunity Employer:
The City of Saint John is committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We encourage applications from Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minority groups. Qualified candidates from these groups will be given preference at the time of selection.