DESCRIPTION

Constituency Relations and Communications Coordinator

Competition Number

2024-402

Job Code

1517

Posting Date

November 5, 2024

Closing Date

November 22, 2024 (at 6:00pm)

Job Status

Permanent Full-Time

The City of Kitchener is a vibrant and dynamic city of approximately 292,000, in the heart of southwestern Ontario. As the largest municipality in Waterloo Region, Kitchener continues to be poised for development and growth, enhancing its reputation as a leader in city-building and innovation, with nationally recognized strategies to build its neighbourhoods, its digital infrastructure and its diverse economy.

The City of Kitchener is WHERE you want to work! Learn more about the top reasons to join us:

Why work at the City of Kitchener

Position Overview:

An exciting opportunity exists for a Constituency Relations and Communications Coordinator to join the City of Kitchener as a creative, service-oriented communicator and collaborator. Working with a passionate team of city builders, you will help City Council connect with community, fostering a caring, connected and inclusive Kitchener.

Reporting to the Supervisor in the Office of Mayor and Council, you will play a key role in supporting 10 Ward Councillors to effectively engage with residents and communicate about Kitchener priorities and issues.

If you have strong written communications skills, digital media and design experience, keen project management skills and a passion for community engagement, this is your chance to make a difference in a meaningful and exciting role!

Responsibilities:

The Constituency Relations and Communications Coordinator in the Office of Mayor and Council provides communications, marketing, community relations and special events support to the City of Kitchener's Ward Councillors. This role will also support the Council's communications and constituency relations needs by writing and designing material and creating impactful digital, social and video content that communicates key initiatives. The Coordinator will support key Ward events and other special events lead by the Office of Mayor and Council.

• Work closely with the Office of the Mayor & Council team to identify issues trends and opportunities for key messages, communications tactics and community engagement.
• Supports the research, writing and editing of newsletters, blog posts and articles, working closely with Constituency Assistants.
• Create impactful graphics and digital design collateral that will support Council communications including newsletters, digital and social media.
• Capture photos and videos of key events for communications collateral such as Council's social and digital media channels.
• Write video scripts, record and edit basic videos to support Council initiatives and messages.
• Write communications materials on behalf of Council including speeches/remarks, video messages, social media posts and key messages.
• Support event planning and execution for key Ward events and special events hosted by our Mayor and Council.
• Establish and maintain a collaborative and effective working relationship with the Corporate Communications and Marketing division to ensure alignment with corporate messaging and communications planning.
• Follow the City of Kitchener corporate branding guidelines and Canadian Press Style Guide
• Respond to inquiries from the public as required, including serving as a temporary back-up to Constituency Assistants as needed.
• Perform duties in accordance with corporate confidentiality standards.
• Perform other job-related duties as required.

Requirements:

• Minimum of a 2-year diploma in communications, marketing, public relations, digital media, or related field.
• 2 years or more of related and relevant experience including developing communications and marketing materials for a variety of mediums.
• Proficiency and experience in video creation and editing for digital and social media and graphic design.
• Preference may be given to candidates who possess experience in municipal, regional, provincial and federal orders of government, and awareness of community and ward issues.
• Strong written communication skills to write remarks, key messages and content for various mediums.
• Proficiency in online communications, social and digital media best practices, including content creation and strategy, social media tools, video, website, analytics and trends.
• Proficiency in project management including organizational skills to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong political judgment and stakeholder relations experience.
• Knowledge of software programs such as Canva, Adobe InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop an asset.
• Knowledge and understanding of copyright and infringement legislation or policies and Canadian Press Style Guide.
• Skill in the use of a personal computer with the ability to use software programs such as Microsoft Office, content management systems, and social media web-based applications.
• Ability to synthesize content into concise, meaningful information for intended audience.
• Ability to adapt writing styles for different target audiences.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment to meet deadlines.
• Ability to support and project values compatible with the organization and to participate as an effective team member.
• Strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to travel to various locations across the City.
• Reliable with a good attitude and employment record.

Note: All interested applicants are encouraged to apply. In the event there is no successful applicant with the stated level of education and experience, other applicants will be considered if a combination of their education and experience meets the following pre-determined equivalency:

• Grade 12 diploma plus up to 1 year of post-secondary courses with minimum 4 years related and relevant experience OR
• 3-Year Degree/Diploma with minimum 1 year related and relevant experience

The City of Kitchener is committed to an equity-driven, inclusive, accessible, and barrier-free recruitment and selection process, and to ensuring our workforce reflects the full diversity of the community we serve. We welcome applications from Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ persons, as well as other equity deserving groups.

We will accommodate the needs of applicants under the Human Rights Code and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. Please contact Human Resources at (email protected), or 519-741-2200 ext. 7261 to make your needs known, so that we can support your full and equal participation throughout the hiring process.

We appreciate the interest of all applicants. Only candidates whose skills, experience and qualifications meet the requirements of the position will be contacted.

Please note that as per Human Resources Policy HUM-HIR-110, "Employment of Relatives of Staff Members and Elected Officials":

"The immediate relatives of staff of the Human Resources Division, all Directors, General Managers, or the Chief Administrative Officer and Elected Officials shall not be employed by the City in any capacity.

The immediate relatives of all other Management personnel shall not be employed where such employment would be:

1. within the same Department in the case of permanent full-time, temporary full-time and part-time classifications.

2. within the same Division in the case of students."

Department

Corporate Services

Division

Office of the GM, Corporate Services

Union Affiliation

Non-Union/Management

Number of Positions

1

Hours of Work

35 hours per week, Monday to Friday with occasional evening and weekend hours

Location

Initial Location

City Hall

City

Kitchener

Compensation

Salary Range

$63,682 - $79,602 annually

Grade/Band

7 (under review)