Communications Officer - Temporary

District School Board of Niagara

Invites applications for the following position:

Communications Officer

One Year Temporary, Full Time (with possible extension)

The District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) is a supportive, innovative community that works towards doing what's best for kids, and helps every student achieve success. Whether you're in the classroom, on the playing fields, in the office or in the cafeteria, we know it's the dedicated staff who bring our mission to life. We proudly serve over 40,000 students across almost 100 elementary and secondary schools in Niagara, located between Lake Erie in the South and Lake Ontario to the North.

In this role, you'll report to and work collaboratively with the Manager of Communications to shine a spotlight on the incredible achievements happening every day across the DSBN. From crafting compelling internal and external messages to shaping our social media presence and bringing special events to life, you'll be at the heart of how we connect, celebrate, and communicate with our community.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong blend of creativity, collaboration, and organizational finesse.

Key strengths include:

• Exceptional communication skills - you're a strong writer with a knack for storytelling, and you can manage projects with clarity and confidence from start to finish.
• Proven ability to manage priorities - you're comfortable balancing multiple projects and deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills - you're someone who builds trust and rapport with both internal teams and community partners.

As part of a collaborative Communications team, you'll play a vital role in amplifying voices, achievements, and initiatives across the DSBN community. Your work will help streamline communication, foster connection, and celebrate the moments that matter.

• Develop and deliver compelling communication strategies that resonate with both internal and external audiences, while staying aligned with the DSBN's strategic priorities and values. You'll bring creativity and strategy together to engage our community in meaningful ways.
• Contribute to system-wide communications planning by helping shape messaging and content that supports key initiatives and ensures consistent, clear communication across all schools and departments.
• Support integrated marketing and promotional campaigns that build positive awareness of the DSBN, showcasing the strengths of our students, schools, and staff. You'll help create campaigns that are both engaging and purpose-driven.
• Lead the management of DSBN's social and digital media presence, curating thoughtful and timely content that reflects the excellence of our students and schools while reinforcing DSBN's identity and values across platforms.
• Write, edit, and curate engaging content for two DSBN-wide newsletters distributed monthly. You'll play a key role in crafting stories and updates that inform and inspire staff, families, and the wider community.
• Ensure messaging is consistent and aligned across channels by developing clear, on-brand content that highlights important DSBN and school-level initiatives.
• Coordinate presentation showcases at monthly Board meetings by consulting with school leaders and staff to highlight student achievements, innovative programs, and Board successes.
• Capture the energy and excitement of DSBN events by supporting on-the-ground communications coverage, including photography, videography, and social media storytelling.
• Respond to public inquiries and manage community correspondence through DSBN's public-facing email inboxes, ensuring timely, professional, and thoughtful communication with all audiences.
• Provide guidance to schools on social media best practices, helping them build a positive and professional presence that supports strong engagement with their communities and aligns with the Board's values.

• Bachelor's degree or post graduate certificate in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field.
• A minimum of three (3) years of progressive experience in communications, demonstrating growth in responsibility and expertise across various communication functions.
• At least three (3) years of proven success in developing and executing dynamic communications strategies tailored to both internal and external audiences, effectively driving engagement and advancing organizational goals.
• Exceptional writing and editing abilities, with a keen eye for detail and a talent for crafting clear, engaging, and audience-focused content across a variety of platforms.
• Strong ability to distill complex information into accessible and compelling communication materials that resonate with diverse audiences.
• Proven project management experience, including the ability to develop timelines, set priorities, and see projects through from concept to completion with clarity and focus.
• Hands-on experience managing social media platforms and creating original content that reflects brand voice, builds engagement, and tells a compelling story.
• Event coordination experience, with the ability to support the planning and execution of events that bring communities together and showcase DSBN initiatives.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Strong technical proficiency, including working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite, Canva, and other tools used to support communication and design work.

Salary: $47.44 per hour, inclusive of Vacation and Statutory Holiday pay.

Applications including cover letter, resume and three professional references must be submitted via Apply to Education - Job Code 3955534 no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, June 25, 2025.

The District School Board of Niagara is committed to equity and inclusion in the recruitment and hiring of its employees, who reflect the diversity of our community and students we serve. We encourage and welcome submissions from candidates from diverse backgrounds to build a supportive and inclusive workplace. DSBN welcomes applications from: Indigenous peoples, members of visible minorities, women, persons with visible and non-visible disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. The DSBN is committed to “Redefining Excellence” and recognizes that increasing the diversity of its workforce supports this objective.

DSBN will provide interview and employment accommodations during the selection process, based on any of the human rights protected grounds. Please notify us in advance and we will work with you to meet your needs. Applicants are thanked for making known their interest in working for the District School Board of Niagara. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals; however, only those under consideration will be contacted.

Personal information on this form is collected, used, and disclosed in accordance with the Education Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.E.2, as amended and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. R.S.O 1990, c.M. 56, as amended and will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility of the above-noted position and any similar or related purpose(s). Questions about this collection, use and disclosure should be directed to the Freedom of Information Coordinator, District School Board of Niagara, 191 Carlton Street, St. Catharines, ON L2R 7P4 905-641-1550.

Land Acknowledgement

The land on which we gather is the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, many of whom continue to live and work here today. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and is within the land protected by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum agreement. Today this gathering place is home to many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples acknowledging this reminds us that our great standard of living is directly related to the resources and friendship of Indigenous people.