
Community Engagement Advisor (Hamilton/Niagara)
- Canada
- Permanent
- Temps-plein
- Contribute to the development and implementation of community engagement strategies for both capital projects and day to day transit operations.
- Develop strong and effective relationships with residents and stakeholder groups across the mandate area to help drive Metrolinx's public communications efforts.
- Define and clearly communicate Metrolinx's key messages related to project plans and construction impacts. Gather information through site visits, stakeholder meetings, interviews, surveys, etc., to investigate and address public concerns and mitigate issues.
- Support formal consultation by arranging and hosting regular stakeholder meetings (i.e. Construction /Community Liaison Committees), community pop ups and canvasses as well as project tours as required.
- Use an issues management lens to find solutions and mitigations to challenges that can arise with residents and businesses during construction.
- Provide support to various internal and externals stakeholders and work with project neighbors (residential and commercial), community partners, and government stakeholders, including the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) to exchange information, execute communications strategies, respond to complaints, analyze information, and execute media and communications plans.
- Strong influencing/negotiating skills as well as political acumen capabilities to deal with a variety of stakeholders, agencies and staff to ensure successful outcomes and achieve goals.
- Adhere to Metrolinx brand guidelines on designs and written or visual material used in Metrolinx print materials, website, multimedia, or displays. Developing briefing notes and event summaries on minor to major impact issues and construction activity, as required to support supervisor, media relations, CEO, and MTO.
- Completion of a diploma in Communications, Media, Urban Planning, Transportation Planning or related field - or a combination of education, training and experience deemed equivalent.
- Demonstrated progressive experience in communications, community engagement, customer service and/or public affairs, with experience executing and communicating informational and promotional material to the general public.
- Must have a valid Ontario Class “G” driver's license and must meet corporate standard for a good driving record.
- Complete proficiency in the English language is essential to facilitate high profile public communications.
- Ability to communicate in French or other language is an asset.
- Familiarity and experience working with the diverse communities that make up the region.
- Previous experience working on large infrastructure projects and facilitating a public consultation process or engagement session.
- Knowledge of customer service, de-escalation techniques and tactics, and issues identification/management.
- Modern communication techniques and software applications (e.g. desktop publishing, word processing, web-authoring, content creation and operational proficiency with social media).
- Experience leading community projects to deliver finalized communications products within tight deadlines.
- Organizational, research, planning, time management and project management skills.
- Interpersonal, diplomacy, oral/written communication skills and political acuity.
- Flexible Hours - must be prepared to occasionally work outside of regular working hours during some phases of a project (beyond 5pm during the work week and weekends as required, etc.).