Parks Public Info Strategist

Role Responsibilities

The Parks Public Information Strategist supports Alberta Parks operations by developing and coordinating external public information across social media, website content, blogs, newsletters and the Alberta Parks Ambassador Program.

As a key member of the Public Information team, this role is responsible for:

• Developing and delivering public information that helps people discover, value, protect and enjoy Alberta’s provincial parks and protected areas.
• Leading and coordinating Alberta Parks’ digital public information program, including social media content planning, campaigns, website content, blogs, newsletters and other public-facing information communications.
• Translating complex operational, policy, safety and program information into clear, accurate and useful public-facing content that supports visitor planning and informed decision-making.
• Supporting safe and responsible recreation by developing timely public information related to wildlife, weather, changing conditions, regulations, stewardship, visitor preparedness and emerging issues.
• Building awareness and appreciation of Alberta’s provincial parks and protected areas through storytelling about landscapes, conservation, cultural and natural heritage, recreation opportunities, programs and the people who support the park system.
• Establishing and maintaining editorial standards, content approaches and consistent messaging across Alberta Parks public information channels.
• Collaborating with regions, program areas, subject matter experts and Communications and Public Engagement to gather information, identify communications needs, manage emerging issues, and ensure public information is accurate and aligned.
• Planning and delivering outreach activities, including coordination of the Alberta Parks Ambassador Program.
• Monitoring audience needs, social media trends, public feedback and channel performance to identify opportunities, address recurring information gaps and continuously improve public information.
• Supporting community management and public engagement, including responding to questions, correcting consequential misinformation and directing visitors to authoritative information and services.

The Job Description is provided for Further details on this pos

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

Creative Problem Solving: Engages the community and resources at hand to address issues:

• Engages perspective to seek root causes

• Finds ways to improve complex systems

• Employs resources from other areas to solve problems

• Engages others and encourages debate and idea generation to solve problems while addressing risks

Agility: Works in a changing environment and takes initiative to change:

• Takes opportunities to improve work processes

• Anticipates and adjusts behaviour to change

• Remains optimistic, calm and composed in stressful situations

• Seeks advice and support to change appropriately

• Works creatively within guidelines

Drive for Results: Actively sets goals and remains open to advice on reaching them:

• Sets goals and prioritizes work

• Identifies and corrects areas for improvement

• Suggests actions; asks for advice when lacking information or multiple priorities

• Operates within APS value system

Develop Networks: Leverages relationships to build input and perspective:

• Looks broadly to engage stakeholders

• Open to perspectives towards long-term goals

• Actively seeks input into change initiatives

• Maintains stakeholder relationships

Systems Thinking: Considers inter-relationships and emerging trends to attain goals:

• Seeks insight on implications of different options

• Analyzes long-term outcomes, focus on goals and values

• Identifies unintended consequences

Qualifications

Education and Experience required: University graduation in a related field such as communications or public relations or equivalent, like Digital Media or Recreation Administration. 

Equivalency: Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of: 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or 1 year of experience for 1 year of education. 

Instructions for your Resume:

• Include date ranges (month and year) associated with all education and work experience – we are unable to assess resumes without this information. 
• Indicate whether your work experience was casual, part-time or full-time.
• Example: Foreman: Jan 2016 – June 2019 (PT, 3 eight-hour shifts per week). 

Additional Requirements:

• Demonstrated experience developing clear, accurate and engaging content for social media, websites and other digital communications channels.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt writing style for informational, educational, promotional and public-service communications.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills, with demonstrated ability to manage multiple competing priorities, meet deadlines and respond to emerging issues.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while collaborating effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-management skills, including the ability to work with staff, subject-matter experts, management, partners and other stakeholders.
• Experience coordinating projects, campaigns or public information initiatives from planning through implementation and evaluation.
• Sound judgement and an understanding of the sensitivities associated with communicating in a government and public-sector environment.
• Ability to influence, advise and build support for communications approaches, standards and recommendations.
• Strong digital aptitude and the ability to work efficiently across multiple content-management, social media and information-management systems.
• Experience with parks, recreation, tourism or visitor services, including campground operations, reservations, park policies or regulations, would be considered an asset.
• Experience with photography, video, Adobe Creative Suite, social media analytics or other digital content-production tools would also be an asset.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.

Notes

These positions work Monday to Friday, 8:15 AM-4:30 PM, 36.25 hours a week.

Any costs associated with obtaining required documents/checks as noted will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

What we offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP)  
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information
• Professional learning and development
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.