Media Relations Officer - City of Ottawa, Ottawa

About this opportunity

The City of Ottawa is hiring a temporary full-time Media Relations Officer for the Transit Services Department under the Transit Strategic Communications and External Relations Service. In this visible role, you will act as a primary spokesperson for transit services, managing media inquiries and supporting proactive communication strategies that highlight OC Transpo operations.

Key duties

As part of your day-to-day responsibilities, you will guide leadership on media relations and execute critical communications tasks across the following areas:

• Act as a spokesperson for Transit Services with the media and organize media relations activities for OC Transpo
• Provide accurate and timely information regarding OC Transpo services, programs, and activities
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with media representatives, general communications teams, and other municipal departments
• Provide media relations advice and communications guidance to management
• Manage media inquiries and public engagement initiatives while identifying emerging issues and reputation risks
• Develop communication materials and promotional opportunities while recommending proactive communication strategies

Who we're looking for

Candidates must meet specific educational, experiential, and bilingual competency criteria to qualify for these City of Ottawa jobs:

• Diploma from a university or community college representing three years of study in communications, public relations, journalism, media studies, or a related field
• Five years of relevant experience, including responding to media inquiries on behalf of an organization, writing and editing media materials, and building media relationships
• Bilingual designation at hire requiring oral expression, oral comprehension, reading, and writing proficiency in both French and English
• Strong knowledge of communication planning techniques, media relations strategies, issue management, and local media landscapes
• Exceptional writing skills to research, analyze, and synthesize complex information into news releases, statements, backgrounders, speeches, web content, social media, and reports
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, politically sensitive, and client-driven environment while managing tight deadlines