Flood Recovery and Mitigation Communications Manager

Merritt B.C. is nestled in the stunning Nicola Valley, surrounded by a spectacular sprawling rugged landscape at the hub of the Coquihalla highway mountain pass. Merritt is a small, caring and resilient City featuring an abundance of outdoor recreation and leisure amenities to keep the whole family entertained, big-city amenities and short commutes.

The City of Merritt seeks to grow as a progressive, attractive, economically viable, socially responsible and environmentally sustainable city. Our Team is diverse and forward-thinking; we are committed to inclusive, collaborative, and innovative approaches to meet challenges, achieve our mission, and make a difference in the community.

Our strength comes from our skilled and dedicated employees and commitment to our values. Together, we continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices of our employees. It fuels our innovation and connects us closer to the community we serve.

Hours of Work: Minimum of 20 hours per week

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Director of Flood Recovery and Mitigation, the Communications Manager is the Flood Recovery and Mitigation department’s lead resource for public communications strategy and execution.

This position is a two-year term, hybrid role, with weekly in-person expectations. Remote applicants/contractors within the Interior of BC will be considered. Applications from individuals or contractors willing to provide a commitment of 20 hours per week or more will be accepted.

This position takes a proactive approach to support communications at all levels to increase community awareness of the past, present, and future projects surrounding flood safety and Flood Recovery grant funding. The successful candidate will have proven experience in formal press releases, social media updates, and graphic design tasks.

The Communications Manager will thrive working in a fast-paced and flexible environment, alongside a motivated and enthusiastic team. This department is required to respond quickly to changes with the Communications and Engagement Manager being an essential contributor to the rebuild and Mitigation in the City of Merritt.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Responsible for creation of all external communications (posters, presentations, etc.).
• Develop and implement a brand strategy to align the Flood Recovery and Mitigation Team with City Council’s vision and values.
• Develop and implement a public relations and communications program that aligns with the official Flood Mitigation Plan, goals and objectives.
• Develop and oversee a flood mitigation-specific website, to effectively inform the public of mitigation activities.
• Collaborate with the Indigenous Engagement Manager to assist with execution of the Indigenous Engagement Plan, and related materials.
• Prepare Council briefings and notes for various projects, approvals, and department activities.
• Some general clerical duties, such as file management and minute taking.
• Event coordination such as preparation and communication of agenda.
• Undertake special projects as required and directed.

Competencies Required:

• A degree in Communications, Marketing, or an equivalent combination of training and experience in a related field.
• Previous experience in local government or non-profit organization an asset.
• Mandatory proficiency in MS Office (Powerpoint, Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint), WordPress desktop publishing and Adobe Illustrator.
• Excellent writing and research skills with a communications/marketing focus.
• Working knowledge of social media platforms and related technology.
• Ability to plan, develop, coordinate, and evaluate communications and/or engagement strategies, programs, and events.
• For new hires and those working in designated positions of trust, including those working directly with vulnerable persons, employment is conditional on a satisfactory police information check.

Competencies Preferred:

• Technological Knowledge – Skilled in graphic design and layouts. Exceptional writing skills with and digital skill set in all relevant software such as MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint), WordPress desktop publishing and Adobe Illustrator. Excellent digital skill set including MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint), WordPress desktop publishing and Adobe Illustrator.

  Knowledge Integration – Integrates knowledge and scans the environment for ideas, best practices, and emerging trends. Integrates organizational information with other evidence to make decisions, support actions and shape improvements.

  Communication – Excellent written and verbal communication skills to engage a wide range of audiences. Effective interpersonal communication skills including listening and writing. collaboration and cooperation and communicate effectively when working with diverse individuals and groups and perspectives to achieve results. Gathers intelligence and encourages an open exchange of information, interprets complex data and stories to present information in an appropriate manner, demonstrating good judgment.

  Critical thinking – Thinks analytically and conceptually, integrates and evaluates pertinent data, identifies issues, and identifies key contributors. Maintains a solution-oriented approach, solves problems and makes decisions applying sound judgement and a realistic understanding of issues. Recognizes where matters should be escalated within the organization.

  Flexibility/ tolerance of ambiguity – Able to manage multiple projects at a time in a fast-paced environment. Copes effectively with transitions and change and adapts to new information and ambiguous situations as they arise. Shifts gears and handles risk and uncertainty.

  Managing and coordinating resources – Project Management skills to balance multiple projects and respond to opportunities with tight deadlines. Demonstrates ability to organize work, resolve unexpected issues and take appropriate corrective actions as required.

  Customer Service – A customer-service orientation with the ability to foster effective working relationships and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders and rights holders at all levels and sectors.

  Leadership – Self-motivated, self-aware with the ability to self-manage and take responsibility for their performance, personal effectiveness, work quality, timeliness and work autonomously. Develops self and demonstrates character by modelling organizational values, integrity, and honesty, Able to follow and set direction that aligns with the organization and take action to implement decisions. Able to navigate socio-political environments using discretion and good judgment, resilience and confidence. Engages others, contributing to healthy organization and network. Ability to create a responsive, safe, inclusive and positive atmosphere welcoming staff, customers and others. Conducts themself professionally, promoting a respectful, inclusive and cooperative team environment.

  Workplace Safety – Competently leads the application of the OHS program and Occupational Health and Safety legislation within the scope required of a supervisor/manager and contributes positively to a culture of safety.

  Policies, processes and procedures – Manages and maintains insight and understanding of local government and the City of Merritt bylaws, policies and procedures. Guided by established practices, procedures and policies, enforces organizational policies and procedures where required.

  Equipment – Competent in a Microsoft Office 360 environment (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams), social media and online broadcasting and other standard computer programs, including data analysis and reporting archiving and retrieval.

  Commitment to the task – Takes responsibility for actions and outcomes and persists despite obstacles; is available in an emergency; demonstrates dependability under challenging circumstances and shows a sense of urgency about getting results. Participates in a climate of continuous improvement, seeking to enhance effectiveness, efficiency, productivity, processes and quality, production and costs that improve organizational performance.

  Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

Benefits

We offer you a Total Rewards package with:

• Competitive salaries
• Extended healthcare plan
• Well-being benefits
• Discretionary days, paid time off
• A defined benefit pension plan
• Group Life - AD&D - Critical Illness Insurance Insurance
• Exclusive perks
• An employee and family assistance plan
• A supportive, respectful work environment where creativity, innovation and fun are encouraged

Make a difference with us!

The City of Merritt is an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and are committed to building a respectful and inclusive workplace that reflects the community we serve. This position is open to all candidates who meet the qualifications. A hiring preference will apply for qualified candidates of Canadian Indigenous ancestry, with a priority for qualified Syilx or Nłeʔkepmx First Nation candidates.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.