Public Engagement Specialist

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable cities and is working towards being the greenest city in the world. Named among Canada’s Top 100 Employers, BC’s Top Employers, and Canada’s Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, decolonization, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

Main Purpose & Function 
Reporting to the Manager of Civic Engagement, the Public Engagement Specialist provides support for planning, design and/ or delivery of public and stakeholder engagement activities across City departments. Public engagement refers to the active inclusion of public input to inform policy decisions and/or program design.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities
The Specialist works with internal clients to ensure best practices in public engagement are being met, with an increasing emphasis on equity. Duties include advising on City-led engagement activities (public, stakeholder and equity-denied communities); establishing and maintaining strong working relationships with client groups across the organization; and overseeing the use of City digital engagement tools. The specialist will exercise considerable independence of judgement and action in the work. Work performance is evaluated in terms of the effectiveness of engagement services provided.

• Advises on process design to help City staff set appropriate goals and objectives, and bring clarity to the purpose of engagement and opportunity to influence decision-making.
• Identifies appropriate tools and tactics to help City staff meet engagement objectives, including in-person and digital engagement methods.
• Supports the delivery of specific digital engagement tactics, including online tools such as surveys, ideation, asset mapping,  etc. as well as supporting documentation.
• Facilitates and/or supports internal communities of practice across the organization to reflect on current practices, share learnings, and advance equitable engagement at the City.
• Actively works with City communications staff to ensure target audience outreach is relevant, and that content is appropriate, accessible and reflective of Vancouver’s diverse communities.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Completion of a university degree in public policy, planning, communications, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 3 years of current related public engagement work, including experience working in government or with a government body on a public sector project.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Comprehensive experience in developing, implementing and reporting out on public and stakeholder engagement processes.
• Experience working with diverse and/or equity-denied groups.
  Considerable experience in the use of and knowledge of digital engagement/survey tools.
• Considerable experience using a wide range of engagement tactics, including facilitation experience.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with internal clients and external partners and excel at client service.
• Strong verbal, written and visual presentation skills.
• Strong reporting and evaluation skills.
• Strong project management experience.
• Considerable awareness of concepts related to equity, intersectionality and decolonization.

The City of Vancouver has a COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Policy.  All employees are subject to this policy and all new applicants applying to the City of Vancouver are required to be fully vaccinated as a condition of hire and subject to this policy as a condition of ongoing employment.  Candidates may only be exempted from this requirement if they request and are approved for an accommodation based on a reason related to a Human Rights Code ground (such as disability). Such a request must be made during, not after, the recruitment process.

Business Unit/Department: Office of the City Manager
Affiliation: CUPE 15
Employment Type: Temporary Full Time
Position Start Date: June, 2022
Position End Date: June, 2023
Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-027: $43.82 to $51.78 per hour
Application Close: May 8, 2022

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous applicants, people of colour, all genders, LGBT2Q+ and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion.