Job Description

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has an opening for a permanent full-time Community Outreach/Public Relations Officer in the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit.

Job description

The Community Outreach/Public Relations Officer will implement a comprehensive public relations and community engagement strategy to promote Chatham-Kent Public Health (CKPH) programs and policies and broaden CKPH\'s impact in the community. This position will coordinate public relations programs including community engagement, community relations, advertising, social marketing, media relations and communication crisis planning. Serve as a resource to CKPH staff regarding communications.

Essential responsibilities

• Demonstrate Chatham-Kent\'s core values and competencies
• Develops, manages and evaluates Chatham-Kent Public Health\'s internal and external communications and community engagement strategy and plan
• Develops and facilitates the development of public relations pieces such as newsletters, presentations, annual reports, web postings, media releases, briefing notes, speeches, and communication campaigns
• Coordinates/contributes to graphic design and development of communications products and materials used to promote CKPH programs and services in all forms including but not limited to print, digital and web.
• Manages Chatham-Kent Public Health\'s \'s web/ social media presence in collaboration with CKPH staff and external service providers
• Coordinates/conducts relevant training for CKPH staff on website and social media functions as appropriate
• Cultivates and maintains positive relationships with local media and community partners including, Municipal departments, community representatives/organizations/boards, hospital and health care settings, school boards, etc.
• Applies strategic risk and crisis communication principles to effectively communicate to key group, partners and residents in a health hazard/outbreak/emergency situation
• Acts as a member of the emergency response team, assisting with disseminating prompt, accurate public information
• Anticipates potentially contentious issues and advises the Director and Medical Officer of Health on best methods to proactively and positively address them
• Implements ongoing and issue-specific internal communications to ensure staff are well informed
• Develops and maintains CKPH\'s communications policies and procedures
• Ensures overall consistency and quality of communications products produced
• Maintains corporate identity standards as per the Municipality\'s guidelines
• Explores, recommends and implements new services and technologies to improve communications
• Maintains professional skills and competence through educational opportunities and keeping abreast of ongoing program development
• Remains current with emerging trends in the communication field especially social media
• Collaborates in the development of and contributes to individual, team, and departmental quality improvement and evaluation activities related to their areas of expertise
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Director or designate

Essential qualifications

• University degree in Public Relations, Communications, Marketing or related field required
• Two (2) to four (4) years experience in issues management, internal communications, public relations, social marketing, community consultation and media relations in a health setting preferred
• Experience in Crisis and Issues Management and relationship development with a broad audience and diverse groups
• Must be current and knowledgeable about best practices in traditional, digital and other media
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, ability to prioritize assignments and work under pressure of deadlines
• Excellent verbal communication skills including courtesy, tact, discretion, explanation, persuasion, interpretation, negotiation, judgement and presentation skills
• Excellent interpersonal, teamwork and relationship building skills to develop and maintain relationships with colleagues and external partners
• Ability to write clear and concise messages, edit content, structure and spelling with a high degree of quality and accuracy
• Ability to work effectively with staff and managers to build capacity in social marketing
• Proven ability to liaise and monitor the work of consultants and suppliers of creative services i.e.: advertising, graphic design, website development
• Knowledge of relevant public health legislation
• Hands-on experience and working knowledge of media and social media platforms (blogs, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X etc.)

• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email and internet (or other similar software programs)

• All new employees will be required to complete their Health & Safety and other on-line mandatory training on or before their first day of employment; other training (including Health & Safety policies) may also be required

Other qualifications

• Experience within the broader public sector would be an asset
• Ability to speak and write in French and/ or other languages would be an asset
• Skill in graphic design and related software applications would be an asset

Certifications, memberships, licenses

• Membership and certifications in a professional association such as the Canadian Public Relations Society or the Public Affairs Association of Canada is preferred

Work environment/hours of work

• This position will work mostly indoors.
• This position works weekdays, with occasional evening and weekends.

COVID-19 Vaccination

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent no longer requires a COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment. Although it is not mandatory to be vaccinated, it is highly encouraged.

Driver\'s licence/vehicle requirements

Because this position may be required to travel, a valid Province of Ontario driver\'s license with a reliable motor vehicle is preferred.

Background check requirements

Successful candidates will be required to complete a background check prior to commencement of employment. A background check may include the following: education/certification verification and employment reference check.

Essential physical and/or safety requirements

• Walking: constant walking on level surface (or mobile to get between two locations) (walking from one office to another, setting up and managing public events; some rough surfaces involved in public events or publicity site visits)
• Sitting: constant sitting in a chair (office work and driving predominate)
• Reaching: constant reaching below shoulder, forward (normal office reaching, plus more demanding reaching in public event equipment set up)
• Hands: constant fine finger dexterity (movement), gripping, mousing (manipulate wording processors, mousing, camera equipment, sound equipment, etc.)
• Climbing: frequent climbing stairs (no ladders, many stairs)

Benefits

This permanent full-time position will receive benefits including: participation in the OMERS pension plan (mandatory), vacation entitlement and a comprehensive group benefits package following the successful completion of a 90 calendar days waiting period.



The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fair and accessible employment practices that attract and retain talented employees in a workplace that is inclusive, supportive, and reflective of the diverse community we serve.

Should you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources & Organizational Development (HROD) at 519-360-1998. Applicant information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Privacy legislation and will be used strictly for the purpose of candidate selection.

Chatham-Kent