Public Engagement Advisor

The City Operations Public Engagement team is looking for a dynamic and skilled Public Engagement Advisor to join the City Operations team! In this role, you will play a key part in delivering on the City's Public Engagement Policy, ensuring that the City engages with its residents and stakeholders in an authentic, meaningful, and inclusive way.

This position will primarily support the department’s Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) branch, with a focus on leading public engagement for key public transit initiatives, such as ridership research and engagement, with a focus on equity analysis and customer satisfaction. At times, the position may also support other branches within City Operations’ varied portfolio, including Waste Services; Parks and Roads Services; and Fleet and Facility Services.

In this role, you will be responsible for developing engagement strategies, plans, and tactics that are clear, effective, and transparent. This includes managing all aspects of public engagement activities, from developing materials and hosting events to analyzing feedback and reporting results. Additionally, you will identify complex and sensitive issues that may impact engagement success and develop strategies to mitigate risk.

If you are passionate about public engagement and thrive in a fast-paced environment, we encourage you to apply!

What will you do?

The City of Edmonton is committed to the highest quality of meaningful public engagement with Edmontonians. Using your breadth of knowledge about best practices in public engagement and relationship building, you will support project teams in the planning, implementing, analysis and evaluation of public engagement processes. You will succeed in this role if you approach challenges with a curious, tenacious and service-minded attitude. Here are some of the key responsibilities:

• Provide strategic advice and guidance to project/program teams, and business areas on public engagement best practices, frameworks, policies, tools, and techniques with achievable strategies, action plans and timelines.
• Collaborate with the Senior Public Engagement Advisor to develop public engagement strategies and plans.
• Work collaboratively with project/program teams to understand their engagement needs and identify resource requirements and timelines for public engagement, including approaches for building respectful and meaningful relationships with colleagues and community partners.
• Implement both digital and in-person public engagement activities including the selection of approaches, tools and techniques and developing engagement material.
• Plan, organize and facilitate public and stakeholder engagement events including implementing strategies to manage participant concerns and mitigate issues.
• Identify and understand complex and sensitive public issues that may impact public engagement strategies and/or the City's reputation.
• Gather, analyze and share public engagement feedback.
• Encourage and evaluate engagement participation.
• Participate in the development of policies, processes, and tools to support common and consistent engagement activities across the City.
• Provide guidance and support to external public engagement consultants as required.
• Provide support to the Senior Public Engagement Advisor, External Relations Advisor and Lead Strategists.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Sciences, Community Development, Planning, Communications or Public Relations, or a related field.
• A minimum of five years of experience in the design and delivery of public engagement processes and strategy, including understanding of the theory, best practices and application of public engagement, and data analysis and reporting.
• An equivalent combination of work and other experiences will be considered.

Assets:

• International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) or other formal training in public engagement.
• Proficient in using Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Docs and Google Meet; an aptitude for learning other software.
• Experience planning and delivering engagement events; facilitation experience.

Skills required for success:

• Experience in the planning, design and delivery of public engagement events, including gathering, analyzing and summarizing public engagement data, including producing writing reports and summarizing engagement results.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-volume, deadline-driven environment with a focus on prioritization, multi-tasking, and attention to detail.
• Ability to work autonomously and make independent decisions within established policies and procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Ability to manage interactions with the public and stakeholders that demonstrate a range of concerns and emotions with diplomacy, tact, and political savvy.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience with inclusive approaches to engagement (e.g., Gender Based Analysis+).
• Experience managing and evaluating consultant teams.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and leadership skills.
• Alignment to our Cultural Commitments and Leadership Competencies (https://bit.ly/4brRrXm).
• Embracing a culture of equity, diversity, reconciliation and inclusion.

Work Environment:

• Note: This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement with the flexibility to work from both home and the worksite as per the Letter of Understanding between the City of Edmonton and Civic Service Union 52.
• The weekly hours of work for this position are currently under review and may change at a future time. Any changes will be made in accordance with the City of Edmonton/Civic Service Union 52 collective agreement and the incumbent will be notified in advance.

The City of Edmonton values applicants with a diverse range of skills, experiences and competencies, and encourages you to apply. We strive to provide reasonable access and accommodations throughout the recruitment process. To request an accommodation, please contact employment@edmonton.ca. Learn more about our benefits https://bit.ly/COEbenefits.

Up to 1 permanent full-time position

Hours of Work: 40 hours per week

Salary: $40.727 - $51.131 (Hourly); $85,037.980 - $106,761.530 (Annually)

Talent Acquisition Consultant: AG / SB

Edmonton rests in the heart of Treaty Six territory in Alberta and the homelands of the Metis Nation.

Classification Title: Public Engagement Coordinator

Posting Date: Apr 16, 2025

Closing Date: Apr 30, 2025 11:59:00 PM (MDT)

Number of Openings (up to): 1 - Permanent Full-time

Union: CSU 52

Department: Communications and Engagement

Work Location(s): 11th Floor Edmonton Tower, 10111 104 Avenue Edmonton T5J 0J4