Communications Officer

Invites applications for the following position:

Communications Officer

One Year Temporary, Full Time (with possible extension)

​Working at the District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) means being part of a supportive, innovative community that works towards doing what is best for students, and helping every individual achieve success. We proudly serve over 40,000 students across almost 100 elementary and secondary schools in Niagara, located between Lake Erie in the South and Lake Ontario to the North.  

Reporting to and working collaboratively with the Senior Manager of Communications, you will play an important role in telling the stories of student success at DSBN schools. You will be involved in many facets of communications and public relations, including internal and external communications, media relations, social media strategy, issues and crisis management, speech writing, and special events.

The preferred candidate will demonstrate strengths in the following areas:

• Exemplary communication skills, including report writing and presentation skills.
• Ability to prioritize and successfully complete projects with conflicting deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to foster relationships with internal and external partners.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop, execute, and lead measurable and engaging communications strategies for internal and external stakeholders that align with the Board’s strategic plan. Contribute to overall communications strategy and components to support system-wide implementation of key Board initiatives. Support development and execute integrated marketing and promotional campaigns aimed at enhancing the reputations of the DSBN and schools. Oversee media relations as the primary point of contact for media seeking interviews with DSBN staff, information about the Board, Board policies, and its schools to ensure transparency, equitable treatment of all media, and to deliver consistent messaging. Develop and review messaging with senior leadership, administrators, and other staff to be used in frontline media relations. Prepare and provide media training to senior leadership and administrators. Research, write, edit, and distribute media releases and advisories. Develop and maintain positive relationships with local, national, and international media. Promote the Board’s image and identify opportunities for schools to present a positive image of their students, staff, programs, and facilities to internal and external audiences. Provide strategic communications counsel to senior leadership, administrators, and trustees. Collaborate with Supervisor to manage emerging and complex communications issues. Manage and develop the Board’s social and digital media presence, promoting a positive reputation that reflects the Board’s values. Maintain consistent messaging and communication about Board and school activities. Advise schools on how to effectively engage with social media and ensure they are aligned with the Board’s values and strategic plan. Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications required include:

• Bachelor’s degree or post graduate certificate in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field. Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) designation. Minimum of five (5) years of progressive communications experience in a large, unionized environment. Minimum of five (5) years of experience developing and implementing measurable and engaging communications strategies for internal and external stakeholders. Demonstrated experience with complex communications issues, project development and implementation, and special event planning. Demonstrated experience in media relations, and with social and digital media. Advanced writing and editing skills and a natural talent for translating complex information into clear, compelling communication materials. Strong project management skills.
• Proven experience building collaborative working relationships and providing exemplary service to a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Effective time management and organization skills, and the ability to multi-task and meet deadlines within a fast-paced environment.
• Computer skills, including MS Office Suite, and presentation packages.

Salary range:  $76,356 – $89,284. This is a temporary full time, 12-month, 35 hour per week position and is part of the Board’s union-exempt Administrative Management Group.

Applications including cover letter, resume and three professional references must be submitted via www.ApplytoEducation.com by June 2, 2023, at 4:00 p.m.

The District School Board of Niagara is committed to equity and inclusion in the recruitment and hiring of its employees, who reflect the diversity of our community and students we serve. We encourage and welcome submissions from candidates from diverse backgrounds to build a supportive and inclusive workplace. DSBN welcomes applications from: Indigenous peoples, members of visible minorities, women, persons with visible and non-visible disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. The DSBN is committed to “Achieving Success Together” and recognizes that increasing the diversity of its workforce supports this objective.

DSBN will make interview and employment accommodations during the selection process, based on any of the human rights protected grounds.  Please notify us in advance and we will work with you to meet your needs. Applicants are thanked for making known their interest in working for the District School Board of Niagara. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals; however, only those under consideration will be contacted.

Personal information on this form is collected, used, and disclosed in accordance with the Education Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.E.2, as amended and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. R.S.O 1990, c.M. 56, as amended and will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility of the above-noted position and any similar or related purpose(s). Questions about this collection, use and disclosure should be directed to the Freedom of Information Coordinator, District School Board of Niagara, 191 Carleton Street, St. Catharines, ON L2R 7P4 905-641-1550.

Land Acknowledgement

The land on which we gather is the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, many of whom continue to live and work here today. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and is within the land protected by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum agreement. Today this gathering place is home to many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples acknowledging this reminds us that our great standard of living is directly related to the resources and friendship of Indigenous people.