Primary purpose

Through its information work, CCOHS promotes health and safety in the workplace in Canada.

The Communications Services Unit provides a comprehensive communications service for CCOHS that includes promoting OH&S in Canada; CCOHS and its role in Canadian OH&S; stakeholder relations and CCOHS products and services.

The Communications Officer supports the planning and plan implementation of relevant Working Groups by:

• developing, writing, implementing and producing communications both in print and for the web. Communications include media releases and advisories, articles that promote CCOHS, and/or CCOHS' products and services for submission to external media outlets and corporate communications such as annual reports, marketing collateral, newsletter articles, client letters and emails;
• implementing, developing and administering CCOHS' membership and podcasting programs, as well as the media relations program;
• writing, implementing and monitoring social media initiatives such as Twitter, Facebook and various client discussion groups and forums;
• monitoring client discussion groups and forums, social and traditional media outlets, and responses to communications initiatives, and analyzing results and preparing summary reports;
• speaking at both internal and externally organized events, and assisting in the development and presentation of various CCOHS hosted events.

Duties

The following duties are assigned through the relevant Working Group Plans.

• Develops and writes corporate communications (including some marketing collateral) both for the web and in print. Writes and administers the production of CCOHS' Annual Report, and provides content and statistics for the PCEO Report to Council. Researches and writes articles promoting CCOHS, its products and services, and OH&S in Canada. Develops, promotes and administers the CCOHS membership program. Designs and implements promotional campaigns and monitors and reports results. Delivers presentations about CCOHS services and staffs exhibits and events. Assists in the development and implementation of special events hosted by CCOHS, such as North American Occupational Health and Safety (NAOSH) Week, CCOHS' Forums, webinars and podcasts. (35%)
• Administers CCOHS' Media Relations Program including researching, writing and editing media releases and advisories; fields inquiries from media outlets and sets up interviews with internal staff experts. Prepares background documents and story leads on various OH&S issues and works with media to identify opportunities and placement of CCOHS and OH&S information. Maintains media contact and distribution lists and distributes media releases; develops, implements and prepares content for CCOHS' News Room; monitors and measures media mentions and impressions. (25%)
• Plans, writes for, produces and edits CCOHS podcasts. Distributes content and moderates social media channels including email discussion groups and forums such as HS Canada and Workscape; Facebook, Twitter, webinars and podcasts.Develops and implements discussion groups - moderates the discussions within these target groups for the purpose of generating improved knowledge of client needs and value expectations and understanding their strategic business needs. (25%)
• Participates in the work of various Working Groups to meet targets and deliverables assigned.(10%)
• Other duties as assigned.(5%)

Nature and scope of position

The position reports to the Manager, Communications Services. The incumbent is a member of one or more working groups through which all work is planned and implemented under the direction of a Working Group Leader.

Know-How

The position is required to have a thorough understanding of CCOHS, its products and services, as well as advanced knowledge and understanding of web-based electronic information delivery systems and communications strategies and practices. The position requires superior communications skills, both written and oral. The position requires advanced proficiency with the suite of MS-Office Products, HTML, and all forms of web interfaces (Web 2.0) and technologies, including emerging and new technology devices. In addition, the incumbent will require knowledge of mailing list and discussion forum software such as LetterRip and vBulletin. The incumbent must also have strong presentation skills.

The incumbent works closely with members of the two Working Groups within the Communications Service Unit, as well as with other working groups as assigned. The incumbent is required to work with staff at all levels within CCOHS to discuss problems, exchange information, prepare recommendations and provide support and guidance to others in the Communications Service Unit and the other service units.

This position is involved at one time or another with corporate activities as well as all CCOHS products and services. The incumbent has contact with all staff within the Communications Service unit as well as with many other Working Group leaders, and team members. The incumbent will work closely with staff in the Computer Services unit to fulfil the responsibilities of the position. The incumbent has extensive contact with external organizations, clients, and the media - and must be able to respond with balanced comments, diplomacy and tact.

Problem solving

The incumbent

• researches (including interviewing technical specialists) and synthesizes information in order to write communications messages in a variety of styles and formats (corporate communications, media releases, articles, web pages, podcasts)
• receives inquiries from and interviews media to determine their requirements and identifies appropriate responses and internal staff experts as required.
• conducts research, analyzes information, and makes recommendations regarding communications messaging and strategies
• creates production plans for various communications initiatives such as the annual report
• researches, develops and recommends best communication delivery methods and messages to reach specific clients
• interprets and analyzes results and makes recommendations for improvements
• monitors and evaluates trends and developments in communications

Accountability

The Communications Officer is responsible for developing, writing, implementing and production of communications both in print and for the web which may include newsletters, letters and emails, blogs, podcasts and webinars; writing articles that promote CCOHS, and/or CCOHS' products and services and OH&S in Canada; writing corporate communications and marketing collateral; implementing and monitoring client discussion groups and forums; speaking at, and assisting in the development and presentation of various events; and analyzing and preparing summary reports; monitoring and measuring response to communications initiatives.

The incumbent is accountable for the successful performance and continuous improvement of products and services within his/her area of skills and competencies. The incumbent is expected to participate in the planning of the working groups' activities, to ensure that s/he plays an active part in achieving the working groups' goals without causing work overload or imposing conflicting demands, including deadlines. S/he must adjust to frequently changing priorities and deadlines, and notify the affected Working Group Leader and Service Unit Manager should time constraints or other challenges arise that require resolution.

Working conditions

Physical Effort: the incumbent works at a computer for most of each day. The work is interspersed with non-computer work such as reading, reviewing information, proof-reading. There is an occasional need to carry and set up equipment; and standing at conferences and to deliver presentations.

Physical Environment: the workstation is set up ergonomically with the appropriate wrist rest, mouse rest, document holder, etc. There is a risk of injury when carrying equipment if safe work procedures as outlined are not followed.

Sensory Attention: there is a need for concentration when writing, synthesizing and analyzing information, and writing and reviewing written material on the computer.

Mental Stress: there is frequent contact with several individuals both internally and externally with competing priorities; there are many deadlines to meet to ensure that opportunities are not lost.

Specifications

• A university degree and/or post secondary education with a specialization in communications and five years experience working in the marketing or communications field. Experience working within a health, safety and environmental organization is desirable.
• Superior writing skills and advanced proficiency in the suite of MS-Office products and HTML, and all forms of web interfaces and technologies, including emerging and new technology devices, Web 2.0 and social media.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively, both in oral and written form, with personnel, both external and internal, at all levels.
• Ability to communicate in both official languages is desirable.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills are key to succeeding in this multi-faceted, multi-project environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and experience in working in a multidisciplinary or matrix oriented environment.

Salary

Within the range of $56,669.00 to $72,962.00 per annum (CCOHS 08). This is a maternity leave replacement until May 27, 2011.

Location of job: Hamilton Ontario

Interested applicants are asked to submit their resume by Monday, March 29, 2010 to:

Lynn Walker
Human Resources and Compensation Specialist
CCOHS
135 Hunter Street East
Hamilton, Ontario L8N 1M5
Fax 905-572-4419
Email: jobs@ccohs.ca