Closing Date: March 28, 2023

Position Title: Senior Engagement Specialist
Position Status: Full-Time Regular
Department: External Relations
Employee Group: Teamsters Local 31
Location: 4515 Central Boulevard, Burnaby
Salary Range / Wage Rate: PG 29 $3,381.40 - $3,998.38 bi-weekly

Our External Relations Department is seeking a Senior Engagement Specialist who will coordinate public, Indigenous and stakeholder engagement processes to support large wastewater infrastructure projects.

You are: a strategic thinker with experience coordinating engagement initiatives on large infrastructure projects. You bring strong communication, planning and facilitation skills to the table along with experience in public, Indigenous and stakeholder engagement. You are a confident team player who enjoys working on complex projects and is able to multi-task. You enjoy working on multiple diverse projects simultaneously. You are motivated to deliver quality work and pay close attention to detail. You are strong in expressing your perspective and also value listening and learning from your colleagues. At Metro Vancouver, we operate in a dynamic and fluid environment so the ability to think strategically as well as adapt to changing conditions will be important.

This role:

• Plans, designs, reviews, coordinates and advises on Metro Vancouver public, Indigenous and stakeholder engagement and outreach initiatives from concept to final product; reviews proposals from external stakeholders and departments for the development of promotional materials; ensures compliance with communications and public engagement policies and standards, annual work plans and board priorities; recommends final approval by a superior; identifies projects which can be implemented inter-departmentally or regionally; contacts appropriate personnel; and provides on-going guidance to departments and external stakeholders regarding initiatives, engagement approach and methodology. 
• Consults with project managers and superiors to identify the role of the public, Indigenous Nations and stakeholders in the decision-making process and to define engagement objectives; and determines the appropriate level of engagement and suitable engagement techniques for various corporate initiatives, including politically-sensitive initiatives in accordance with corporate policies.
• Serves as primary staff support for the administration of an assigned committee or task force pertaining to the work; assists a superior in the implementation of work plans; responds to and carries out committee directives; compiles and presents reports and defends controversial decisions; and makes presentations to municipal councils, external stakeholders, Indigenous Nations and various organizations.
• Plans, develops and implements communication to external stakeholders and Indigenous Nations involved in strategic initiatives; develops strategies and implementation plans; develops policy statements, papers and committee and Board reports.
• Facilitates internal project team meetings and external events such as public meetings, workshops and open houses.
• Serves as primary liaison with external stakeholder groups and Indigenous Nations in the development of strategies related to strategic initiatives around Metro Vancouver Board strategic priorities; and represents Project Delivery at various committees as required.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with staff in other departments, a wide variety of external contacts at various levels within provincial and federal government agencies, Indigenous Nations, municipalities and committees; coordinates various activities, programs and projects; and acts on behalf of a superior at various meetings as required.
• Directs the preparation of comprehensive reports, documents and materials for project reporting on public engagement processes and outcomes; oversees and executes the collection of engagement input; reviews, interprets, analyzes, and tracks engagement input and outcomes; and recommends course of action for policy decisions and directions.
• Prepares reports for Metro Vancouver standing committees and Boards; presents and defends engagement plans and strategies, as well as reports summarizing engagement initiatives; analyzes stakeholder and Indigenous Nations input; and ensures impacted stakeholders and communities are reported back to.
• Assists in the hosting of various media events in support of intergovernmental relations and engagement initiatives; and provides emergency response back-up.
• Develops a variety of editorial projects for internal and external audiences; and conceptualizes and prepares content for dissemination through websites and social media.
• Develops annual work plans and budgets; and responds to discovered work plan needs as necessary.
• Directs the work of Consultants and staff assigned to projects; develops project scope and deliverables; and establishes schedules as necessary.
• Performs related work as required.

• Bachelor’s degree in community planning, political science, public administration, communications, public relations, marketing or a related field, plus considerable related experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Thorough knowledge of the communications and engagement principles, practices, techniques, methods and procedures applicable to the work.
• Thorough knowledge of Metro Vancouver objectives, philosophies and policies related to the work.
• Considerable knowledge of the programs, functions, activities and services of the various departments as they relate to the work performed.
• Considerable knowledge of the BC Local Government Act and the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and other related policies, rules and regulations, bylaws and legislation governing the work.
• Considerable knowledge of the purpose, goals and objectives of the committees and task forces served.
• Ability to plan, design, review, coordinate and advise on engagement and outreach initiatives.
• Ability to develop and prepare public, Indigenous Nation and stakeholder engagement plans, define problem areas, determine engagement methods, coordinate the collection of input from various internal and external sources, analyze and evaluate engagement and outreach data, and prepare comprehensive reports.
• Ability to direct the work of consultants and staff assigned to complex projects as required.
• Ability to provide staff support to an assigned committee or task force and administer a program or implementation plan pertaining to the work.
• Ability to provide leadership and advice, develop concepts, and oversee major public events and engagement initiatives.
• Ability to liaise with external stakeholder groups and Indigenous Nations in the development of strategic initiatives around Metro Vancouver Board strategic priorities.
• Ability to develop various editorial projects and conceptualize and prepare content for websites and social media.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide variety of internal and external contacts.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, including the ability to communicate technical information to various internal and external audiences in lay terms and the ability to prepare various communications materials, reports and presentations.
• Driver’s License for the Province of British Columbia.

We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and being representative of the region we serve. We invite all qualified candidates to apply including Indigenous People, visible minorities, immigrants, LGBTQ2S+, all genders and persons with disabilities.

Metro Vancouver requires all new hires to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (subject to any exemptions and accommodations) and provide proof of vaccination upon hire.

Learn more: http://www.metrovancouver.org/about/careers/