Government & Media Relations Advisor

WorkSafeBC; Richmond; Hybrid; CAD 57,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

WorkSafeBC is seeking a Government and Media Relations Advisor to split time between media and government relations, developing proactive materials on occupational health and safety topics. The role supports MLA liaison work and provides briefing materials for government offices.

You will craft news releases, op-eds, and key messages, ensuring accuracy and alignment with priorities. The position is a temporary 18-month assignment in Richmond with a hybrid work model; two days per week in-office.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, or related field.
• Minimum six years in government relations, public affairs, or communications.
• Experience engaging external audiences on public or organizational issues.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with media and government contacts.
• Develop briefing materials for government and MLA offices.
• Prepare planning documents, information responses, news releases, op-eds, fact sheets.
• Respond to media inquiries and coordinate with internal departments.
• Monitor information sources and compile summaries.
• Plan and deliver projects and events.
• Support the issues management program.

Skills

Media relations

Government relations

Written communication

Public policy

Stakeholder management

Briefing notes

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications/public relations

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Our Government, Media Relations & Issues Management (GMRI) department is looking for a Government and Media Relations Advisor to join our team.

In this role, you will divide your time between media and government relations work. This includes participating in strategic planning, responding to media enquiries, and developing proactive media materials on a variety of occupational health and safety topics. You will also support WorkSafeBC’s MLA Liaison Program and prepare high‑quality information and briefing materials for government and MLA offices on issues related to WorkSafeBC. We are looking for a skilled writer with the ability to distill complex information and with keen attention to detail.

WorkSafeBC’s government relations program builds and strengthens strategic relationships with the provincial government, its agencies, and MLA offices through clear and timely communication. This work supports informed engagement and understanding of WorkSafeBC’s mandate and work across B.C.

WorkSafeBC’s media program focuses on providing accurate, timely, and relevant information to the public through the media. This work supports transparency and accountability, helps meet public expectations of a provincial regulator, and also ensures media have the context needed to report on WorkSafeBC’s role and activities.

Please note this is a temporary 18-month position at the Richmond office.

How you’ll make a difference: You’ll support the strategic relationship building that helps WorkSafeBC serve workers and employers across B.C.

Where you’ll work

At WorkSafeBC, we offer a hybrid work model that combines working remotely, and in our offices based on the operational needs of the position.

For this position, the successful candidate is required to work 2 days per week in our Richmond office.

Role

• Build and maintain productive relationships with external stakeholders; in particular, with media and key government contacts.
• Implement strategies to improve awareness and understanding of WorkSafeBC’s programs and services.
• Liaise with senior departmental staff, as well as staff throughout our organization, to generate external communications materials, ensuring all items are accurate and consistent with our strategic direction and priorities.
• Develop items such as planning documents, briefing notes, information responses, news releases, op-eds, backgrounders, presentations, fact sheets, and key messages.
• Support the team in responding to media enquiries and coordinating with internal departments to provide timely and accurate media responses.
• Support the team in responding to information requests from the B.C. Ministry of Labour and other government sources as needed.
• Monitor various sources for information relevant to WorkSafeBC, including media, social media, and legislative materials, and compile summaries and overviews.
• Support the team with data collection, tracking, and reporting.
• Plan and deliver projects, including presentations and events.
• Through monitoring and tracking, anticipate and support the issues management program.
• Consistently model the appropriate level of organizational behaviours expected of all WorkSafeBC employees: responsive, respectful, fair, collaborative, accountable, and forward thinking.

We’re Looking For People Who Can

• Clearly and concisely present and explain technical information, verbally and in writing in plain language, to audiences with varying levels of understanding and information needs.
• Identify and shape compelling narrative and story opportunities that align with organizational priorities and advance proactive media initiatives.
• Work with government, MLA offices and internal stakeholders to provide timely, accurate, informed and contextual responses to queries.
• Independently plan, organize and prioritize multiple projects and tasks to meet departmental and organizational deadlines and goals.
• Provide excellent service to internal and external clients by putting them at ease, responding courteously, and providing solid advice and consultation.
• Apply understanding of B.C.’s media and political landscapes to inform both reactive and proactive media and government initiatives.
• Write accurately, with a high-level of attention to detail.

Your background and experience

• A bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations or affairs, political science or a similar discipline.
• A minimum of six years of experience in the following:
• field of government relations, public affairs, stakeholder relations, communications, or public relations.
• Experience working with external audiences on issues of public or organizational importance.

We’ll consider equivalent combinations of education and experience.

Important to know

Before we can finalize any offer of employment, you must:

• Successfully meet the legal requirements under the Criminal Records Review Act to work with children and/or vulnerable adults
• Confirm you’re legally entitled to work in Canada

Who we are

At WorkSafeBC, we promote safe and healthy workplaces across British Columbia. We partner with workers and employers to save lives and prevent injury, disease, and disability. When work-related injuries or diseases occur, we provide compensation and support injured workers in their recovery, rehabilitation, and safe return to work. We’re honoured to serve the 2.49 million workers and 263,000 registered employers in our province.

What’s it like to work at WorkSafeBC?

It’s challenging, stimulating, and rewarding. Our positions offer diversity and opportunities for professional growth. Every day, the work we do impacts people and changes lives. What we do is important, and so are the people we do it for.

Our ability to make a difference relies on building a team with a rich variety of skills, knowledge, backgrounds, abilities, and experiences that reflect the diversity of the people we serve. We are committed to fostering a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive work culture where everyone can contribute as their best, authentic self.

Learn more: Discover who we are .

Our Benefits

As a member of our team, you’ll have access to services and benefits that help you get the most out of work — and life. Along with a competitive salary, your total compensation package includes an extra 4% of your salary in lieu of benefits and 4% in lieu of vacation from the day you start.

Once you’ve worked for 1820 hours (approximately 12 months), you’ll switch to getting:

• 3 weeks of vacation with regular increases based on years of service
• Extensive health care and dental benefits
• Sick leave and long-term disability coverage

Learn more: Find out what we offer .

Salary: $41.56-$52.35 /hourly

Job Criteria

• Seniority level: Not Applicable
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Legal
• Industries: Insurance