Description
PASS Grade 5 $ 84, 428 to $95, 024
A bout the Board
The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) is committed to learning, equity, engagement and innovation. We are guided by our vision, Growing Together, the mission that every student experiences a sense of belonging and engages in dynamic learning to reach their potential and build their own future, and our values of Compassion, Dignity, Trust, and Joy to guide our daily work and ensure that we honour the unique identities and needs of all. Proudly serving a community of approximately 50,000 students in the City of Hamilton and surrounding area, HWDSB operates across 80 elementary schools, 13 secondary schools and 1 Adult Learning Centre, in addition to providing support and service to approximately 8,800 staff members.
Staff Wellness
At HWDSB, staff wellness is a priority. We are committed to co-creating and fostering an environment where staff feel safe, valued, and supported. We are continuously striving to support the needs of our diverse community and actively work to foster and maintain a culture of human rights.
Our holistic Staff Wellness program has been designed to support employee’s well-being in all dimensions of health. As one part of this comprehensive program, all staff as well as their dependents have access to free and confidential supports through our Employee and Family Assistance Provider (EFAP), in addition to many other program components.
About the Role
Reporting to the Senior Manager of Communications and Community Engagement, the incumbent will plan and implement communications strategies and execute associated tactics that strengthen relationships between HWDSB and the students, staff, families, and communities it serves. These strategies are developed and implemented reflecting HWDSB’s commitment to Human Rights, Equity and Well-Being.
Duties include but are not limited to:
Strategic Planning and Counsel
Assist school administrators, department staff, Executive Council, and the Board of Trustees to achieve the outcomes of the Multi-Year Strategic Plan and Board Improvement Plan by determining effective communication strategies that support the work of the Board, reach appropriate audience segments, disseminate information across appropriate channels efficiently, and provide the communities HWDSB serves with timely, accurate and relevant information.
Writing and Editing
Produce digital and print materials using superior research, writing, editing, and publishing skills. Examples include - but are not limited to - news releases; newsletters for employees and external audiences; correspondence; speeches; brochures; scripts; institutional advertisements; social media posts; briefing notes; key messages; and other materials.
Digital and Print Content
Responsible for planning, developing, implementing, and maintaining Internet and intranet page which includes - but is not limited to - design, publishing, and content standards, ensuring compliance with AODA guidelines and communications best practices.
Review and approve digital and print content maintaining brand consistency, quality, and accuracy.
Provide expertise and advice to colleagues and internal clients on how best to use digital channels and communicate with diverse audiences - both internal and external.
Issues and Crisis Management
Anticipate, identify, evaluate and respond to issues and trends that potentially affect the organization’s relationship with the HWDSB students, staff, families and community.
Support the organization when responding to relevant situations that may impact HWDSB communities.
Media Relations and Storytelling
Respond to - and liaise with - media to highlight relevant and positive HWDSB news; this may also include supporting HWDSB leaders with interviews and speaking engagements.
Attend events to share content across HWDSB owned digital platforms (e.g. social media, blog posts, intranet and more).
System-Wide Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange
Support HWDSB and contribute to a positive culture reflective of the organizational values - dignity, trust, joy, and compassion.
Help staff to understand communication standards and practices while also being an actively engaged member of cross-functional teams and committees.
Qualifications :
Minimum of five to seven years of progressive experience in the field of communications.
Commitment and accountability to human rights, equity, reconciliation, anti-racism and anti-oppression using responsive strategic communications and community engagement approaches.
Completion of a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, English, Marketing or related post-graduation certificate with equivalent experience.
Proactive and reactive media relations with expertise with experience
Experience in writing and editing for senior leaders and other representatives for an established brand or organization with diverse and engaged audiences.
Experience in issues management and crisis response during emergency situations and subsequent messaging.
Management of digital platforms and social media channels for an established brand or organization with diverse and engaged audiences.
Experience in project management in a collaborative environment involving cross-functional teams on time-sensitive tasks and long-term audiences.
Proficient skills using Microsoft Office Suite (emphasis on SharePoint), WordPress and Adobe Creative Suite
Advanced written and verbal communications skills.
Excellent editing skills.
Excellent critical thinking skills and the ability to exercise good judgement when solving problems quickly and effectively.
The successful applicant may be required to work after hours based on system needs.
Applicable professional accreditation - is an asset (ARP, PROSCI Change Management, MCM etc.)
Membership in professional association (CPRS, IABC, NSPRA etc) - is an asset
Valid driver’s license and use of a personal vehicle required.
Deadline for submission is 4:00 p.m. on October 7, 2024
Employment Equity Statement
Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) is committed to building inclusive learning and working environments where students see themselves reflected in the curriculum, staff population, physical surroundings and the broader community.
HWDSB’s mission is to empower students to learn and grow to their full potential in a diverse world. Guided by this mission, HWDSB strives to build a workforce that embodies the values of human rights, equity, diversity and inclusion, while reflecting and welcoming the diverse and distinct identities, experiences and needs of our students and our communities.
HWDSB seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, and who will contribute to the vision of creating inclusive and equitable outcomes. HWDSB especially invites and welcomes applications from:
Indigenous Peoples (e.g., First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples).
Members of groups that commonly experience discrimination due to race, ancestry, colour, religion and/or spiritual beliefs, or place of origin (e.g., Black and racialized communities, immigrant communities, etc.).
Persons with visible and/or invisible (physical and/or mental) disabilities.
Persons who identify as women.
Persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. (i.e., Two-spirit and LGBTQIA+).
As part of HWDSB’s commitment to employment equity and removing barriers to groups that have faced and continue to face barriers in employment, we invite all applicants to complete a voluntary questionnaire that collects identity-based information. The voluntary questionnaire is on the Apply to Education application page for this position.
HWDSB is committed to providing accommodation throughout the recruitment and selection process, based on any human rights protected grounds. If you require accommodation, please notify us in advance and we will work with you to meet your needs.
Land Acknowledgement
HWDSB is located on ancestral Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee Confederacy land as determined by the Dish with One Spoon treaty. The Dish with One Spoon wampum belt represents the treaty relationship between the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and Anishinaabe with respect to sharing the land and resources thereon. The intent of this agreement is for all nations sharing this territory to do so responsibly, respectfully and sustainably in perpetuity. We respect the longstanding relationships with the local Indigenous communities, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Six Nations of the Grand River.
Applicant Self-Identification Form
The information collected on this form is used to monitor HWDSB’s progress toward our equity goals including our commitment to diversity in HWDSB recruitment and hiring practices. We are committed to the security and confidentiality of information under our control, and to the protection of privacy with respect to personal and confidential information that is collected, used, disclosed and retained in the system (Policy 1.6 - Privacy). Information on this form is collected pursuant to Ontario’s Education Equity Action Plan (Ministry of Education) and in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). Access to this form is restricted to specific individuals in Human Resources. The Research and Analytics Department will use aggregate data from all the forms (not individual data) for internal reporting. Their access and use of the data is governed by MFIPPA and ethical research practices. Applicant Self-Identification Forms will be maintained in the Human Resources job competition file and securely destroyed 1 year after the job posting for candidates not selected for an interview and 6 years after the job posting for candidates interviewed, in accordance with general records retention principles. If you prefer not to answer any of the questions, you can select “prefer not to answer”. This in no way affects your application or the applicant selection process. If you have questions or concerns about this form please contact humanresources@hwdsb.on.ca.
