Job Description

Job PostingHalifax Regional Municipality is inviting applications for the Permanent full-time position of Communications Advisor in Corporate Affairs Division, Halifax Regional Police. Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is committed to reflecting the community it serves and recognizing Diversity and Inclusion as one of the Municipality\'s core values. We have an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Women in occupations or positions where they are underrepresented in the workforce, Indigenous/Aboriginal People, Persons with Disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ Persons. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify on their electronic application.Under the supervision of the Manager of Corporate Affairs, the Communications Advisor provides advise on internal and external communications and input into communications strategies, including issues and crisis management; with the purpose of assisting the police service in sharing information and building positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders. The Communications Advisor implements and evaluates communications strategies that increase employee and public awareness and understanding of policing initiatives; provides advice on complex issues affecting both internal and external stakeholders and plays a role in communicating the organization\'s mandate, priorities, business plan and strategic plan. The Communications Advisor works with a team of professionals in Corporate Affairs and with the executive management team/senior management team, officers and staff across the police service as well as Halifax Regional Municipality Corporate Communications and other business units in the municipality. The Communications Advisor helps to coordinate the dissemination of employee and public information and works closely with other team members to ensure consistent messaging, branding and outreach. In addition, the Communications Advisor acts as a relationship manager with public, media, government, community and employee stakeholders to formulate and implement strategic communications.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESProfessional Expertise

• Manages the end-to-end delivery of innovative and effective internal and external communication strategies, plans, products and services;
• Leads clients and client teams in the implementation of communications and marketing tools and tactics;
• Provides expertise in coordinating, organizing, and/or delivering media events and news conferences, as required;
• Identifies best practices and emerging strategies within internal communications trends and analyses results of new approaches;
• Develops strategies to integrate social media into internal, external and marketing communications activities;
• Prepares or oversees reports, briefs, web content, social media content, press releases, and other communication activities;
• Implements internal and external communications for high risk and crisis situations. This includes communications support in the midst of ongoing police operations, investigations and/or public safety matters which often involve the utmost confidentiality, as well as human resources matters which often involve criminal investigations and allegations under the Police Act of Nova Scotia and/or other disciplinary matters;
• Successfully delivers assigned projects within budget, on schedule and in accordance with the established scope of work.

Communcations Support

• Actively contributes to the unit\'s annual communication strategy which is aligned with the organization\'s vision, mission, priorities, business plan and strategic plan;
• Actively contributes to the progress and success of the organization\'s Strategic Plan, particularly the priority of Employee &Public Relations, and annual business plan through the implementation of internal and external communications plans, initiatives and/or campaigns;
• Identifies and analyses potential issues that may develop as a result of police and/or municipal policies, programs and/or Council and/or Board of Police Commission decisions; and recommends effective responses;
• Develops crisis communications plan(s);
• Assists the Halifax Regional Municipality Corporate Communicaitons team as needed.

Stakeholder Relations

• Facilitates accurate and timely communication of information on policing and public safety issues by maintaining positive relations with internal and external organizations;
• Identifies trends in public opinion and media coverage; briefs staff on those trends and provides strategic advice on building and maintaining positive relationships between the police service and its various stakeholders;
• Builds and maintains positive working relationships with local, regional and national media;
• Ensures public understanding of policing and public safety initiatives by implementing and evaluating communication strategies that include research, analysis of issues and assessments of stakeholder opinions;
• Advises and supports the implementation of new communications initiatives and special projects.
• May perform other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONSEducation and Experience

• University degree or Diploma in Public Relations, Communications or a related field and a minimum of 5-7 years experience, preferably in a government environment or large organization.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Technical/Job Specific Knowledge and AbilitiesDemonstrated ability in enhancing internal/external communication and building stakeholder relationships

• Demonstrated experience or ability to work with senior leaders, public, elected officials, medias, community organizations, etc.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively communicate in both oral and written form
• Prioritization of workflow, managing projects, and completing time-sensitive tasks
• Demonstrated experience in organizing media announcements or events
• Social media expertise

Security Clearance Requirements: Candidates being considered for the position of Records Management/Disposition Clerk must successfully meet the security clearance requirements administered by Halifax Regional Police.Please note - Testing may be conducted as a component of the selection process to assess technical and job specific knowledge. Candidates who are selected for testing, may be tested in a group setting, scheduled at the employer\'s discretion.Competencies: Communication, Customer Service, Organizational Awareness, Decision Making, Networking/Relationship Building, Teamwork and Cooperation and Valuing Diversity.WORK STATUS: Permanent, Full-Time.HOURS OF WORK: Hours of work are Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (35 hours per week), in an office environment.SALARY: $46.08 per hour as per the Agreement between the Halifax Regional Municipality and Halifax Regional Police Association.WORK LOCATION: 1975 Gottingen St, Halifax, NS.CLOSING DATE: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on June 13, 2024.Please note: During the recruitment process, applicants have the right to request accommodation. Applicants invited to participate in an assessment process (such as an interview or testing) and who require accommodation, should discuss their needs with the Recruiter when invited to the assessment process.(position #72283174)

Halifax