BC Public Service - Internal Job Opportunities

Government Communications and Public Engagement (GCPE) is a dynamic, progressive organization that supports the government in its ongoing dialogue with British Columbians. GCPE leads and coordinates government communications and public engagement through three divisions: Strategic Communications, Communications Operations and Corporate Priorities.

The Role
As a Senior Public Affairs Officer you would provide a range of people-first communications expertise across a range of high priority and complex files. This includes preparing a wide variety of written communications products, developing and executing communications plans, and providing issues management advice, event coordination services, and media relations expertise. In addition to delivering impactful communications, you serve as a mentor and resource to others, helping to build capacity within the team and fostering a collaborative work environment.

Qualifications:
Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., journalism, public relations, communications, public policy, political science, English); AND
• A minimum of three years of *related experience
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may also be considered.

*Related work experience is defined as a combination of all of the following:

• Experience in public relations, communications and/or media relations in a large/complex organization.
• Experience developing and implementing communications and/or issues management plans. 
• Experience building and maintaining productive relationships with media, partners, stakeholders and clients, including at the executive level. 

Preference may be given to applicants with one or more of the following:

• Experience in concisely and persuasively writing a variety of materials, such as news releases, speaking notes, issue notes, key messaging. 
• Experience working in reactive communications (e.g. crisis communications, partner communications, media relations, issues management, social community management). 

Proviso / Willingness statements 
Candidates must be willing and able to: 

• Understand and commit to a diverse and inclusive workplace. 
• Work outside of standard business hours (including statutory holidays and weekends.
• Work on-call and extended hours during emergency activations, including operational deployments across the province. 

For questions regarding this position, please contact GCPE.Recruitment@gov.bc.ca.  

About this Position:
This posting is to establish a pre-qualified pool of applicants who will be eligible to be appointed to full-time, permanent and temporary positions in GCPE offices within all provincial government ministries. This pool has been designed so applicants can be considered for multiple Senior Public Affairs Officer opportunities across the Government Communication and Public Engagement organization. Applicants who are successful in the competition will be placed into the pre-qualified pool and appointments will be made based on the requirements of the hiring ministry, using preferred qualifications.
Flexible work options are available, this position may be able to work one or more days at home per week subject to an approved Telework Agreement.
The starting salary for this position is $76,500.09 - $84,400.13  annually and will be determined by the successful candidate’s relevant education and experience.
A Criminal Record Check (CRC) will be required.
This position is excluded from union membership.
Employees of the BC Public Service must be located in BC at the time of employment.

Working for the BC Public Service:
The BC Public Service is committed to creating a diverse workplace to represent the population we serve and to better meet the needs of our citizens. Consider joining our team and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace. 

We are committed to ensuring that reasonable accommodations are available throughout the hiring process, including the assessment and selection stages. Please email the individual or contact listed on the posting if you require an accommodation to fully participate in the hiring process.

The Indigenous Applicant Advisory Service is available to Canadian Indigenous (First Nations [status or non-status], Métis, or Inuit) applicants. Indigenous applicants can contact this service for personalized guidance on the BC Public Service hiring process including job applications and interviews.

How to Apply:
Your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet the job requirements listed above. Applicants who are selected to move forward in the hiring process may be assessed on their knowledge, skills, abilities, competencies and other position related requirements as outlined in the Job Profile at the bottom of the posting.

Cover Letter: NO - Please do not submit a cover letter as it will not be reviewed.

Resume: YES - A resume is required as part of your application, however, it may not be used for initial shortlisting purposes.

Questionnaire: YES - You will need to complete a comprehensive questionnaire to demonstrate how you meet the job requirements. Include all relevant information about your educational accomplishments and employment history including job titles, start and end dates (month and year) of your employment, and how you obtained your relevant experience. The questionnaire will take approximately 60 minutes to complete.

Find more information on the recruitment process, including helpful tips and videos about the application process, visit the Your Job Application page of MyHR. Gain insights into the hiring journey by joining a Career Conversation. Applications will be accepted until 11:00 pm Pacific Time on the closing date of the competition. If you are experiencing technical difficulty applying, visit the Technical Assistance page of MyHR.

Additional Information:
GCPE will be posting a Band 1 OIC -  Public Affairs Officer (PAO) competition in the coming weeks.  Be sure to keep an eye out for this position at GCPE.