Community Relations & Diversity Engagement Specialist

Thunder Bay Police Service; Northwestern Ontario; On-site; CAD 88,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

The Thunder Bay Police Service is seeking a Community Relations Coordinator to strengthen engagement with Indigenous communities and diverse local groups. This permanent full-time role reports to the Director – Corporate Communications and focuses on developing and evaluating community engagement plans aligned with the Service's strategic goals.

You will coordinate public education, media, digital content, events, and stakeholder partnerships while promoting accurate, transparent communications.

Responsibilities

• Under the direction of the Director – Corporate Communications, assist in the development, implementation and evaluation of annual communication and engagement plans that align with the Service’s strategic plan while projecting a positive image of the Service and its members.
• Coordinate community and internal engagement, public education, promotional, digital, evaluation and transparency activities to ensure strategic planning, messaging and delivery.
• Develop and maintain respectful, collaborative and culturally responsive relationships with Indigenous communities, organizations, community leaders, service providers, media, other police agencies and other community partners.
• Take a lead role in identifying, developing and coordinating activities to continue to connect TBPS services with the Indigenous and other diverse communities in collaboration with members.
• Coordinate professional development training for TBPS members that supports diversity and inclusion initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with the Community Inclusion Team, Police Liaison Team Officers and other Service members to identify opportunities to enhance collaboration, engagement and communications with Indigenous communities.
• Support the development and implementation of culturally responsive communication and engagement practices that recognize the diverse perspectives, experiences, needs and priorities of diverse communities.
• With a focus on strengthening community relations, write, edit and coordinate content for media, web, social media, presentation, newsletters, reports, displays and engagement activities.
• Develop and maintain effective community and strategic partnerships by identifying opportunities to increase TBPS presence and participation at community events, functions, initiatives and activities.
• Take a lead role in creating a culturally responsible work environment.
• Work with internal units and external partners to plan, coordinate and promote public education and awareness initiatives.
• Liaise with the TBPS Elders’ Council and community groups for input, guidance and inclusion in training, events, and content and provide recommendations on appropriate engagement that supports diversity initiatives.
• Research and recommend policies, procedures, metrics and communication to increase internal and external awareness that facilitate effective and meaningful dialogue and interactions between TBPS and the communities it serves.
• Develop and apply appropriate evaluation tools and performance measures to assess community and partner satisfaction, audience reach, participation, initiative effectiveness and progress toward identified outcomes.
• Promote the positive image of the police service and ensure consistent branding of internal and external initiatives through all communications efforts. Act as spokesperson when needed to project a positive, professional image for the service.
• Assist with internal communications to ensure consistent messaging throughout the organization to support change and modernization initiatives.
• Analyze and interpret gathered data to evaluate the effectiveness, reach, engagement, and overall impact of community relations strategies, plans, initiatives, and campaigns, including progress against established goals and the Strategic Plan.
• Prepare reports or presentations summarizing data analysis and research findings to support strategic decision-making by the Director – Corporate Communications and the Chief of Police.
• Engage internal members to participate in internal and external communications activities, including advising on content, and participating in content development and dissemination.
• Provide daily support, backup, and occasional relief for the Media Relations Coordinator.
• All other duties as assigned within the core competencies.

Job description

The Thunder Bay Police Service is seeking a Community Relations Coordinator to strengthen engagement with Indigenous communities and diverse local groups. This permanent full-time role reports to the Director – Corporate Communications and focuses on developing and evaluating community engagement plans aligned with the Service's strategic goals.

You will coordinate public education, media, digital content, events, and stakeholder partnerships while promoting accurate, transparent communications.