Communications and Media Relations Officer

Fonction publique de l'Ontario; Toronto; On-site; CAD 1,000 - 2,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in Ontario is seeking a Communications and Media Relations Officer. In this role, you will develop media strategies, coordinate public relations activities, and create content for various audiences. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in communication planning and public relations, and be skilled in analyzing media trends. This position offers a competitive salary and is located in Toronto.

Benefits

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Accommodations for disabilities during hiring process

Qualifications

• Experience in communication planning and media relations.
• Proficiency in writing and editing for various platforms.
• Knowledge of digital and social media trends.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage media strategies and public relations initiatives.
• Create written content including key messages and news releases.
• Coordinate media events and act as the main point of contact.

Skills

Media and public relations knowledge

Excellent communication skills

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications or related field

Tools

Media monitoring tools (Cision, Meltwater)

Job description

Apply By : Monday, August 18, 2025 11:59 pm EDT

Communications and Media Relations Officer

External Relations / Strategic Communications

City : Toronto

Position(s) language :

Job term :

1 Temporary - 12 months

Job code :

02703 - Information Officer 2

Salary : $1,428.25 - $1,687.23 Per week

• Indicates the salary listed as per the OPSEU Collective Agreement.

Please be advised that effective September 17, 2025, the address for this position will be 777 Bay Street, Toronto.

Drive public engagement and media relations at the Ontario Science Centre

Bring your expertise to this high-impact role, where you will drive communications and media strategies, craft compelling content, coordinate events, and build relationships to promote the Ontario Science Centre.

About the job

As a Communications and Media Relations Officer, you will :

1. Develop and manage media/influencer strategies, manage public relations initiatives, and ensure consistent messaging.
2. Manage communications activities to promote the Centre's exhibitions, programs, and events to the public and media.
3. Coordinate media events, act as the main point of contact for inquiries, and prepare Ontario Science Centre experts for media interviews.
4. Create written content including key messages, news releases, issues management plans, promotional background for programs, publicity materials, and social media copy.
5. Organize and run photo and video shoots and support Ontario Science Centre experts as they participate in external productions.
6. Maintain media contact lists, build relationships with journalists, media outlets, and influencers, and monitor media coverage.

What you bring to the team

Media and public relations knowledge

You have knowledge and experience with :

1. Communication planning, theory, methods, and techniques in print, broadcast, digital, and social media.
2. Journalism, media relations, public relations, and communications techniques, practices, and processes.
3. Issues management to identify and anticipate emerging issues and events that may generate public or media attention.
4. Writing, editing, and proofreading to research, edit, and develop communication plans and strategies.

Communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills

You have :

1. Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills to lead media events and build and manage partnerships.
2. The ability to communicate with media on important and sensitive issues.
3. Writing, editing, and storytelling skills to develop marketing, communication, and promotional materials.
4. Organizational and time management skills to meet deadlines and prioritize requests.

Advisory and issues management skills

You have :

1. Experience managing communications strategies to support key goals.
2. Experience providing communications expertise and advice to management.
3. Political acuity to assess and manage sensitive and contentious issues, and ensure they are dealt with appropriately.
4. Understanding issues research and analysis techniques and developing issues management strategies.

Analytical and evaluative skills

You have :

1. Experience developing analytical and evaluation skills to measure reach and engagement of communications activities.
2. Knowledge of media trends, digital and social media platforms, including media monitoring tools such as Cision, CNW, Meltwater, Klear, and MRP platforms.
3. Experience gathering, analyzing, organizing, and synthesizing information to identify, evaluate, and weight issues, trends, and opportunities to develop communications options and solutions and support decision-making.

Don't meet every qualification?

If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!

How we support diversity, inclusion, and accessibility

We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions.

Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status, and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process, please contact us.

Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible, and diverse workplace :

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives
• Accessibility
• Anti-Racism Policy

Location: 222 Jarvis St, Toronto, Toronto Region

Application instructions

• Customize your cover letter and resume to the qualifications listed on the job ad. Using concrete examples, demonstrate how you meet the requirements for this job. We rely on the information you provide to us.
• OPS employees are required to quote their WIN EMPLOYEE ID number when applying.
• If you require a disability-related accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please contact us to provide your contact information. Recruitment services team will contact you within 48 hours.

Language requirements and assessment

All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the "position(s) language" section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English / French), you'll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.

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