Community Engagement Specialist, Regular Full Time

Home and Community Care Support Services Champlain is one of 14 Home and Community Care Support Services organizations in Ontario. We are dedicated to ensuring our more than 64,000 patients annually receive the highest-quality health care and services at home. Our patient-care coordination teams help develop care plans for people of most ages, focused on maintaining each patient’s independence and dignity. We also provide long-term care home placement services, and facilitate our patients’ access to the community-based services they need.

Position Summary:

The Community Engagement Specialist is responsible for supporting the development and implementation of internal and external communications plans, organizational initiatives and other confidential matters, locally and provincially. Reporting to the Manager, Communications and Engagement, the Community Engagement Specialist develops key communications products, engages internal leaders and teams to provide communications support and advice, and establishes relationships with key stakeholders to educate, inform and advance Home and Community Care Support Services’ strategic priorities. A valued member of the Champlain team, this position also supports the provincial Communications team and provides services across geographies, as assigned.

Primary Responsibilities:

? Support initiatives in Champlain and as part of the provincial Communications team – operating as one team to support HCCSS-wide priorities and objectives – including materials for the CEO and Board, as well as projects that impact staff and stakeholders across the province
? Support the development of Communications & Engagement strategies aligned with the organization’s strategic priorities including public relations, stakeholder engagement, marketing, brand management, social media and issues management
? Develop and implement communications plans and tactics to support corporate projects and initiatives, which at times may include confidential matters about the organization or operations
? Provide Communications support/advice, including on confidential matters, to the Communications and Engagement Manager and/or Director, provincial Communications team and other leaders
? Create written and designed content (in collaboration with graphic designer) for newsletters, brochures, posters, videos, web, intranet, speeches, presentations and other communication materials aimed at diverse audiences
? Oversee the production of patient-facing pamphlets, brochures and newsletters and coordinate the distribution of print/branded materials to staff, patients, caregivers, etc.
? Leverage digital technology solutions and incorporate digital, social and web strategies to support strategic communications plans, while taking a lead role with social media activities
? Provide media relations support including creation of news releases, organization of media events, development of speaking points, triaging of media requests, development of media responses and building and maintaining strong media relationships
? Provide support for internal and external stakeholder engagement activities, including community engagement and education opportunities, in-person and virtually
? Advise and work collaboratively with human resources, including on confidential matters which may include information about employees or positions, to effectively engage and communicate with staff to raise awareness of HR initiatives, programs and policies
? Support crisis communications at the local level, and at the provincial level as assigned
? Monitor, analyze and report communication metrics and results to determine effectiveness of communications initiatives
? Uphold the organization’s reputation through relationship-building with stakeholders, public awareness activities and marketing in alignment with visual identity, brand guidelines, AODA compliance and French language requirements

Education and Experience:

• Post-secondary degree/diploma in communications, journalism, marketing or a related academic field
• Experience in strategic communications, public affairs, marketing and health care communications which is normally attained over three years. Experience must include work in a multi-stakeholder environment.
• Experience/proficiency in Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative software and website content management systems is required.
• Proficiency with graphic design software an asset

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of communication concepts, strategies and technical skills required in planning, execution and evaluation of communications plans for internal and external audiences.
• Thorough knowledge of current trends in communications planning and tactics, writing style, multimedia, engagement, marketing and metrics/reporting
• Understanding of the Ontario health care system, its stakeholders, programs and issues

Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organization skills
• Ability to work independently and possess a strong sense of responsibility
• Detail-orientated, able to multi-task effectively, take initiative and function well in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities
• Ability to analyze, digest and understand complex information
• Strong relationship management and facilitation skills, including the ability to work collaboratively with all levels of staff, members of the public, health system partners, government and other diverse stakeholders
• Developed negotiation and conflict resolution skills with the ability to provide advice on best practice guidelines
• Strong leadership skills to participate on/or lead internal committees, councils, etc.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise good judgement and discretion when dealing with confidential information
• Bilingualism (French & English) is an asset

Affiliation: MPE
Salary: HCCSS Non-Union Band 4 - $67,765.50 to $80,915.67
Shift: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm (37.5hrs/week)
Office location: To be determined; anywhere in Ontario, Hybrid

All applications will be reviewed; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Home and Community Care Support Services Champlain welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in any aspects of the selection process.

Home and Community Care Support Services has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy across the province that requires all staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Applicants being considered for employment will be required to provide proof of vaccination documentation confidentially to Human Resources upon hire. Any medical or human rights exemption requests will be reviewed and validated prior to an offer of employment.