Communications Specialist

Staff – Non Union 

Job Category : M&P – AAPS 

Job Profile: AAPS Salaried – Information Services, Level A 

Job Title: Communications Specialist 

Department: Administration | School of Population and Public Health | Faculty of Medicine 

Compensation Range: $5,063.67 – $7,294.50 CAD Monthly The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.
 
Posting End Date:May 23, 2023 
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.
 
Job End Date: May 22, 2024  With the possibility of an extension.
 
Job Description Summary

The Communications Specialist will manage the day-to-day communications for the School of Population and Public Health. Under the direction of the Director, Communications, the Communications Specialist will lead the development and execution of strategic communications initiatives, including identifying, creating and writing publications and stories that raise the profile and stature of the School of Population and Public Health, planning and editing relevant content for the website, and assisting the Director, Communications with communications-related special projects.

Organizational Status

The School of Population and Public Health (SPPH) is an innovative unit within the Faculty of Medicine that encompasses many of the health-related groupings at UBC that focus on population and public health and epidemiology. The School is structured around four divisions: Occupational and Environmental Health; Health Services and Policy; Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Public Health Practice; and Health in Populations. The resulting mix of professions and disciplines is seen as a means of connecting individuals and learners to galvanize the relationship between health research, public health and health services and to enhance learning.

The SPPH’s academic program includes teaching in the undergraduate medical curriculum, courses for UBC undergraduate students, the Residency Program in Public Health and Preventive Medicine, and the following graduate programs: MHA, MHSc, MPH, MSc, MSc (OEH), Ph.D. The School also has several joint graduate programs with the Department of Statistics, School of Nursing, Faculty of Dentistry, MD/MHA Program and is in the process of developing a joint MD/MPH Program.

The SPPH is one of the most research-intensive units at UBC and is home to the Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Health, Centre for Applied Ethics, Centre for Health Services and Policy Research, Partnership for Work, Health and Safety, Human Early Learning Partnership, and the WHO Collaborative Centre in Global Health.

Work Performed

The Communications Specialist will perform the following duties:

• Identifies and responds to emerging opportunities to profile the School, its research and its contributions to public health debates by writing stories for the School s website and other UBC publications, such as UBC Reports and UBC Medicine magazine, the Wall Papers, and TREK.
• Creates content for social media channels, including photography, illustrations, video clips, and blog posts, as aligned with wider communication initiatives and/or campaigns.
• Develops and manages effective working relationships with key communications personnel in other areas of the University, including the Faculty of Medicine Alumni Engagement, Media Relations, Communications, as well as UBC Media Relations.
• Manages the creation of an inclusive and engaged communications role in the School of Population and Public Health by developing relationships with faculty and staff that support the School s strategic goals.
• Assists with communicating the School s strategic planning process, goals, and outputs to the School community in an effective and strategic manner.Plans, writes and edits relevant content and designs layouts for key communications tools and stakeholder-deliverable reports.
• Ensures appropriateness and consistency of key messages for targeted audiences and planning dissemination strategies to key audiences.
• Under the direction of the Manager, Strategic Initiatives and Engagement, develops the bi-weekly internal newsletter, including researching, writing and editing content, controlling the editorial flow, production and publication, and acting as key liaison with content providers.
   

WORKING CONDITIONS

The Communications Specialist will be located remotely while UBC and SPPH staff work off-site. Upon resumption of normal business operations on-site, the incumbent will work in the SPPH building at the Vancouver campus of the University of British Columbia. A shared workstation equipped with telephone, computer and furniture will be provided.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Errors made could influence the timely completion of work and compromise the reputation of the School.

Supervision Received

The Communications Specialist receives direction from the Director, Communications.

Supervision Given

May supervise student workers.
 
Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum four years of related experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

University degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing or Journalism preferred. Experience in strategic communications writing and presenting, preferably translating research to a public audience. Skill and experience in journalistic business writing. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required. Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to deal with a diversity of people in a calm, courteous, and effective manner. Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships. Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines. Ability to work effectively with minimal supervision.