Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the x?m??k??y??m (Musqueam), S?wx?wu7mesh (Squamish), and s?lilw?ta? (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world's most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.
Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and engaging workplace. Working at the City of Vancouver and within the public service can be a rewarding career where you play a key role in ensuring impartial and equitable access to services, upholding ethical governance, and addressing the needs of citizens with integrity and dedication.
Main Purpose and Function
As a member of the Civic Engagement and Communications team, the Senior Communications Specialist, Engineering works on a variety of strategic communications projects in support of Engineering divisions at the City. This position is responsible for helping to educate the public and key stakeholders about major city programs, projects and initiatives with a key focus on communications needs and issues management for the Public Space and Street Use division. The position has a strong strategic focus including developing communications strategies that support successful business outcomes and creating or supervising the creation of various communications tools to inform the public about key initiatives, their expected impacts and the opportunities for public involvement.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
Develops and implements multi-channel communications plans to support key, one-time and multi-year initiatives, projects and programs
Oversees development of a wide variety of publicity and informational materials including news releases, newsletters, notices, pamphlets and brochures, speeches, video, displays, social media campaigns and other digital content, advertising, etc.
Skill in writing plain language materials, using CP style as well as taking complex and technical information and making it interesting and easy to understand
Tracks the communications budgets for assigned projects including design consultants, print, translation services
Works closely with subject matter experts to ensure information is accurate, timely and supports business objectives
Informs and engages staff, providing relevant, timely information through regular channels. Ensures staff receive timely updates on projects, programs, events and news
Serves as the primary liaison to the media, coordinates media responses and spokespeople as appropriate
Leads issues management for projects including responding to time sensitive work, ability to identify potentially sensitive issues and developing recommend a course of action
Ability to meet very tight deadlines and to juggle numerous and competing demands
Ability to remain calm, alert and high functioning in stressful conditions
Ability to handle confidential and sensitive issues with skill, tact and diplomacy
Ability to periodically work independently or unsupervised
Directs the development and maintenance of web pages
Liaises with related agencies and suppliers/contractors to ensure effective and timely coordination of information to the public
Other duties/responsibilities as assigned
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or a related discipline and at least five to seven years of experience in a communications position, or an equivalent combination of training, education and experience
Considerable experience implementing communications plans on complex and/or controversial topics
Experience working with and communicating to diverse community groups
Considerable experience serving as a media spokesperson or supporting other spokespeople on complex or sensitive issues
Experience developing and making presentations to large groups
Prior experience supporting public engagement or consultation on public initiatives or issues would be an asset
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Extensive literacy and ability to participate comfortably in discussions on social policy, homelessness, public arts, Reconciliation and JEDI (justice, equity, diversity and inclusion) initiatives
Demonstration of learning opportunities and / or experience working on Reconciliation projects considered an asset
Thorough knowledge of current communications theories and trends
Considerable demonstrated skill in developing and implementing all facets of a strategic communications plan
Demonstrated ability to identify potentially contentious issues and quickly research the topic and recommend course of action, including responses
Demonstrated ability to meet very tight deadlines and to juggle numerous tasks
Demonstrated ability to anticipate communications needs, and identify and develop the best tools and best timing for providing effective information to various publics
Demonstrated ability to be pro-active in establishing and maintaining respectful relationships with numerous and diverse stakeholder groups
Demonstrated skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with internal and external partners - both in routine and in controversial and stressful situations
Demonstrated skill in writing plain language materials: taking complex and technical information and making it interesting and easy for a layperson to understand
Demonstrated skill in public speaking, and in writing and making effective public presentations to groups
Considerable knowledge of the processes of graphic design, photography, video production, print and web production, and social media channels
Demonstrated ability to remain calm, alert and high functioning under stressful conditions
Ability to handle confidential and sensitive issues with skill, tact and diplomacy
Thorough knowledge of the media (both English and ethnic)
Thorough knowledge of public processes/consultation techniques
Thorough knowledge of government, particularly civic and regional government structures
Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work a hybrid work week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite. At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.
Business Unit/Department:
Office of the City Manager (1010)
Affiliation:
CUPE 15 Non Pks
Employment Type:
Temporary Full Time
Position Start Date:
October, 2025
Position End Date:
January, 2027
Salary Information:
Pay Grade GR-027: $47.62 to $56.27 per hour
Application Close: September 7, 2025
At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process.Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion.
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