Community Development Specialist

Leads community development activities for the municipality by engaging local and regional stakeholder groups.

Serves as the municipality’s primary communications specialist.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. Engages members from local community centers, halls, and clubs, non-profit organizations, volunteer associations, and government agencies to address shared needs related to social, cultural, and economic development. Supports and coordinates environmental projects to protect natural resources and promote sustainable practices.

COMMUNICATIONS. Produces a broad range of communications deliverables, including quarterly newsletters, public announcements, press releases, reports, letters, and news articles. Responds to inquiries from council, staff, provincial and federal agencies, media, residents, community groups, businesses, and others on communications matters. Oversees sensitive and confidential information on municipal initiatives and public policy issues. Develops content for the Frequently Asked Question section of the municipal website. Supports CAO with communications deliverables, including those related to crisis events and other urgent matters.

SOCIAL MEDIA. Updates content on social media sites. Establishes standards and procedures related to the municipality's internal and external communications, including the Intranet. Develops, implements, and manages a social media plan for the information of other municipal departments and Council.

MEDIA AND SOFTWARE SUPPORT. Leads efforts to identify and implement user software, training and support staff. Produces and edits graphic files and video files. Designs and maintains the municipal website. Selects and maintains website software, web domains, and social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, etc.). Serves as primary resource for NBON posts. Providing technical support for colleagues who use municipal software tools.

ADVERTISING & PROMOTION. Oversees event planning, management, and coordination. Prepares communications to advertise and promote activities, programs, and events, using the municipality’s website, newsletters, and social media messages. Arranges media coverage for newsworthy initiatives. Creates and updates the Community Calendar and develops public notices to inform residents about local events and activities.

PUBLIC FEEDBACK & SURVEYS. Solicits public feedback about municipal affairs through polls, surveys, and meetings. Maintains a database of compliments, concerns, and complaints from the public. TOURISM. Develops tourism initiatives and plans in coordination with regional stakeholders, including tourism managers at the Kent Regional Service Commission.

MEDIA LIBRARY. Maintains the municipality’s library of official logos and trademarks. Creates the municipality’s official library of report and presentation templates (for example, official letterhead, MS PowerPoint templates, etc.). Builds and updates a media library comprised of images, graphics, and videos from the entire municipality, including former Local Service Districts (LSDs).

FUNDRAISING & GRANT MANAGEMENT. In collaboration with the Recreation and Events Coordinator, participates in fundraising drives and supports the fundraising efforts of local or regional non-profit organizations. Also supports municipal efforts to secure grants for local events, activities, and programs.

REGIONAL SERVICE COMMISSION COORDINATION. Collaborates with members of the Kent Regional Service Commission (KRSC) to create plans and implement projects related to regional development and tourism.

OTHER. Attends council meetings and participates on committees as directed by the CAO. Provides regular reports to Council on activities. Assists the CAO with production of the annual report as required under the Local Governance Act. As applicable, supports translations from English to French.

• Bachelor’s degree in recreation, kinesiology, or a related field or equivalent education and experience.
• Knowledge of best practices in the planning and administration of recreational programs.
• Knowledge of best practices in the planning, marketing, and management of public events.
• Able to train, mentor, direct, and supervise seasonal and part-time staff.
• Ability to work a varied schedule, which includes evenings and weekends depending on season and activities.
• Ability to exercise discretion, judgment, and diplomacy and to maintain confidentiality.
• Able to effectively manage multiple tasks, priorities, and projects and to deliver under deadline pressure.

• Experience in public relations, communications, customer services, and/or management.
• Experience working for a public sector organization.
• Bilingualism would be a strong asset.

Upon completion of the probationary period:

• paid vacation
• health & dental plan
• life and long-term disability insurance
• pension

Please email your resume to: admin@5-rivers.ca with the subject line: Community Development Specialist.