Communications Officer

Position Details

Position Information

Position Title Communications Officer Posting Number 02372SA Location New Westminster Campus Grade or Pay Level S – Pay Level 15 Salary Range $60,304 per annum (with wage increments to a max of $67,630 per annum), which includes a special allowance of $2,000 per annum. Salary and wage increments are in accordance with the Collective Agreement. Position Type Support Staff – Temporary Posting Type Internal/External Regular/Temporary Temporary Employment Type Full-Time Posting Category Staff Start Date 10/07/2024 End Date 06/02/2025 Day of the Week Mondays to Fridays Shift 8:30am to 4:30pm Work Arrangements
This regular, full-time (35 hours per week) position is available starting October 7, 2024. Regular hours of work are Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. Shift days and times may change depending on the Department’s need. Occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required. The position is located at the New Westminster campus; however, successful candidate must be available for occasional work at the Coquitlam campus. Douglas College is committed to supporting a healthy work/life balance for employees. A modified/flexible schedule and/or hybrid work from home arrangement may be considered, subject to the terms of the College’s Work From Home Policy.
What Douglas Offers
DO what you love. Be good at it. That’s how Douglas College defines a great career. It’s a philosophy that resonates through our classrooms, our offices and our boardrooms. It inspires our students and drives us to make Douglas College one of BC’s Top Employers. We love what we do. And we’re looking for passionate, motivated people to join us in making one of Canada’s best colleges even better.
The Role
Reporting to the Manager, Communications or the Manager, Current Student Communications, the Communications Officer is responsible for the planning, creation and implementation of communication activities in the Officer’s department of work. The position coordinates departmental-specific communication activities in collaboration with campus partners to engage identified department-specific internal and/or external stakeholders. The Officer also contributes to the development of annual, long-term, or project based communications plans that support the College’s strategic communications direction, independent unit goals, and the Douglas College Strategic Plan. The Communication Officer’s work directly contributes to Douglas College’s vibrant reputation and its leadership position within British Columbia post-secondary institutions.

Responsibilities

1. Administers strategic communications

a. Creates and administers strategic communication plans for specified area of the College.

b. Leads all communications related activities in specified area of the College.

c. Manages implementation of department-based and project-based communication plans.
d. Collaborates with Manager, Communications and campus colleagues on college-wide communication projects to define project communication objectives; identify stakeholders, strategies, tactics and timelines; and evaluation.

e. Actively seeks partnerships and develops relationships with other campus areas and groups to identify and leverage opportunities for collaborative communication that supports Douglas College’s reputation.

f. Prepares communication analysis reports from a variety of sources (e.g. social media analytics, surveys, Google analytics) to determine the effectiveness of communication plans and makes recommendations for future improvements.

2. Creates dynamic content
a. Generates and posts dynamic original content, from a variety of sources (College stakeholders, blogs, web, etc.) to social media, college website, digital signage, blog, DC Connect, the app, CRM , and other communication tools.

b. Organizes, prioritizes and schedules content distribution on social media, digital signage, blog, and other communication tools.
c. Ensures accuracy of content by coordinating workflow and collaborating with members of project teams, including external content contributors, employees, students and others.

d. Researches, organizes information and performs interviews for internal and external communications including: informational copy, promotional copy, marketing copy, College annual/community report, special bulletins, speeches, video scripts, etc.

e. Provides substantive editing, copy-editing and proofreading services for material written by other College employees.

3. Monitors, recommends and communicates on appropriate tools
a. Protects Douglas College’s reputation by monitoring social networks and independently responding to conversations about Douglas College and advises the Manager about items that may adversely affect the College.
b. Maintains high-level of knowledge and keeps apprised of changes to institutional communication tools in order to use the tools effectively including digital signage functionality and Moxie software manager, app manager, SiteCore website manager, Bonzai SharePoint overlay, Microsoft CRM software, ClickDimensions, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, SnapChat and others.
c. Approves usage and provides recommendations of digital signage, Douglas College app, social media accounts, and other tools.
d. Educates campus colleagues about traditional, non-traditional and emergent communication channels, and recommends appropriate communication tools to promote programs, courses, and events.
e. Maintains a comprehensive list of communication channels and tools available to Douglas College employees.

4. Coordinates media relations activities
a. Coordinates media relations outreach for College and college-wide projects including project-specific media relations plans, pitch lists (for traditional and non-traditional outlets), sourcing spokespeople and pitching media.
b. Develops media training materials (e.g. interview questions, briefing notes, etc.) for College spokespeople including president and senior management team, and participates in training with the Manager, Communications.
c. Plans, researches, writes, edits and distributes media releases, media advisories, and media kits on College programs, services, issues and special events.
d. Researches and maintains print and electronic media contact list.
e. Communicates with media reporters and editors.
f. Maintains newspaper clipping archive.
g. Analyzes and evaluates media coverage.

5. Supervisory duties
a. Hires and evaluates student staff including providing orientation and ensuring the provision of appropriate training and professional development;
b. Initiates and processes appropriate personnel, payroll, accounting and purchasing documentation.
c. Supervises the daily operation of positions under his/her authority; provides input into staff job descriptions;
d. Approves staff work schedules and time sheets;
e. Ensures adequate coverage for areas that fall within the scope of responsibility, while accounting for existing budget parameters.
f. Develops and administers operating budgets for area-specific communication activities and special events;

6. Performs other duties
a. Assists the Manager of the department when requested
b. Represents the department at internal and external meetings, as requested.
To Be Successful in this Role You Will Need

•Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or English and experience in media relations, public relations, or corporate communications in a mid-to-large organization (preferably in a public sector). An equivalent combination of education and recent experience will be considered.
•Three-years’ experience working in the communications field, including writing for audience and channel, traditional and social media relations and project coordination.
•Experience contributing to and implementing strategic communications plans that align with organizational goals and objectives.
•Experience in conceptualizing, planning and developing a wide variety of communications projects and content features, including interactive elements that drive engagement.
•Proven, solid grasp of communications fundamentals and tactics.
•Ability to identify story ideas from across the College with proven success in turning ideas into published pieces with angles that support communication strategies.
•Demonstrated high proficiency in writing for print and digital, including ability to vary writing style for different media formats and audiences.
•Proficient editing and proofreading skills, including excellent command of English grammar and punctuation, and a proven ability to present materials clearly and concisely.
•Proven experience in social media management across multiple platforms, including content planning, generation and distribution, reputation management, client-relationship management, and use of social media management tools.
•Technologically savvy – up-to-date with digital trends and developments, social media analytics, social listening and networking, and mobile marketing.
•Working knowledge of digital photography with ability to take well composed photographs in a variety of settings with a digital SLR and iPhone.
•Understanding of office procedures as well as standard office software such as O365 applications (e.g. Word, PowerPoint and Excel).
•Self-motivated, self-directed and assertive with ability to work under minimal supervision.
•Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information.
•Demonstrated ability to initiate collaboration and work effectively as an integral member of a communications team who is adaptable to change.
•Ability to maintain confidentiality. Link to Full Position Profile Equity Statement
Douglas College is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and equitable learning and working environment. In support of this journey, we welcome all people to apply, including people from groups that are experiencing inequity, including, but not limited, to Indigenous Peoples, racialized or persons of colour, persons with mental or physical disabilities, persons who identify as women, and/or persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and persons of all faith identities, age, marital status, and parental status.
Needs a Criminal Records Check No

Posting Detail Information

Open Date 09/18/2024 Close Date 09/24/2024 Open Until Filled No Special Instructions to Applicant
Interested applicants must submit their application and all required documents online on the Douglas College Career Site www.douglascollegecareers.ca . Qualified internal applicants shall be given first consideration in filling the position. All internal applications must be received by September 24, 2024. Please ensure your resume clearly explains how you meet the required knowledge, skills and abilities of the position for which you are applying. All candidates selected for interview will need to bring original certificates and diplomas of educational credentials noted on their resume.
Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting https://www.douglascollegecareers.ca/postings/12992