Position: Communications Specialist
Classification: AO24
Salary: $76,071.18 - $86,658.48
Status: Permanent, full-time
Location: Vancouver, BC
Work Option: Hybrid
Flexible work options are available, subject to an approved telework agreement; Hybrid work is available for employees residing within the Vancouver, Coast and Mountains (VCM) region and enables employees to telework from their home up to 3 days a week with in office days on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Closing Date: May 30, 2025, 4PM
Position #: 00116735
Competition #: DBC 2025-17
If you are interested and you meet the selection criteria, please respond to this link with your cover letter and CV prior to 4 PM on May 30, 2025.
You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to apply for this full-time opportunity.
The initial salary for this position will start at the beginning of the listed salary range with the opportunity to advance up the pay grid in annual increments. An eligibility list may be established.
At Destination BC, we are passionate about showcasing the transformative power of British Columbia’s travel experiences with the world. As a Provincially funded Crown corporation, we support BC’s tourism industry through global marketing, destination development, industry learning, community programs, and visitor services. Recognized globally for our authentic brand, award-winning marketing, and innovative destination management, we work collaboratively to strengthen BC’s tourism industry.
We offer exciting and meaningful work in a supportive, inclusive environment that values learning and professional growth. Our flexible work policy balances in-office collaboration with working from home, creating optimal conditions for both employees and the organization. This position is part of our hybrid model, where employees work in the office on Wednesdays and Thursdays and have the flexibility to work from home on other days.
Destination BC is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. If you require accommodations during the hiring process, please contact dbccareers@destinationbc.ca. We are also committed to providing workplace accommodations for employees with disabilities, ensuring you have the support needed to perform your best work both during the hiring process and throughout your employment with us.
For Indigenous applicants, the Indigenous Applicant Advisory Service offers advice and guidance on job applications and interviews. Applicants are welcome to connect at IndigenousApplicants@gov.bc.ca or 778-698-1336.
PURPOSE OF POSITION
The Communications and Strategic Engagement team provides a range of services to assist the Corporation in fulfilling its mandate, with a strong focus on industry, government, partner, and employee engagement. Through collaborative relationships with internal staff, the tourism industry and the provincial government, the team promotes the Corporation’s programs and initiatives in support of industry growth, and the value of the visitor economy to British Columbians.
Reporting directly to the Director, Communications and Strategic Engagement, the Communications Specialist delivers a broad range of activities, including communications planning (internal and external), writing and content development for the corporation’s communications channels, media relations and issues management. Internally, the Specialist works on a variety of communications activities to ensure staff receive timely information, in support of collaboration and strategic goals. Externally, the Specialist maintains a network of relationships with government and industry partners to ensure Destinations BC’s interests are positively represented.
SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITIES
- Work collaboratively with partners within Destination BC and BC’s tourism industry to strategize, plan and create a variety of products including multi-media presentations, speeches, messaging and scripts, fact sheets, newsletters, briefing materials and announcements for a variety of audiences.
- Support the management of Destination BC's editorial calendar to ensure strategic alignment and timely delivery of key communications across multiple platforms.
- Provide communications advice and support to a variety of corporate initiatives within tight timeframes (Activities are often subject to significant public, political and industry scrutiny).
- Create and manage content for an internal communications resource hub for staff, ensuring materials are current, relevant, and reflective of organizational priorities.
- Plan and/or attend industry consultation meetings, trade shows, brand activations and special events to promote the work of the Corporation and the value of tourism in British Columbia.
- Provide proactive and reactive responses for crises and issues, ensuring audiences are promptly informed with accurate information, to maintain organizational trust and clarity during sensitive situations. This includes supporting Destination BC’s response to emerging issues and trends by actively monitoring news and current events, ensuring content is engaging, timely, accurate, and aligns with brand guidelines, and
- Represent the team and Destination BC on variety of internal and external committees/projects, as needed.
- Other related duties as required.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, English, Public Administration or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
- Three years professional experience in public relations, communications planning, writing and editorial, or media relations.
- Three years’ experience in the creation of a variety of materials for public dissemination including multi-media presentations and speeches, corporate videos or branded content; and
- Three years’ experience researching, planning, coordinating, and delivering projects within tight timelines.
- Demonstrated issues management experience.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
Preference may be given to those with:
- Working knowledge of BC’s tourism industry.
- Experience working with government partners.
COMPETENCIES
Information Seeking is driven by a desire to know more about things, people, or issues. It implies going beyond the questions that are routine or required in the job. It may include "digging" or pressing for exact information; resolution of discrepancies by asking a series of questions; or less-focused environmental "scanning" for potential opportunities or miscellaneous information that may be of future use.
Relationship Building is working to build or maintain ethical relationships or networks or contacts with people who are, or may be, potentially helpful in achieving work-related goals and establishing advantages. These people may include customers, clients, counterparts, colleagues, etc.
Initiative involves identifying a problem, obstacle or opportunity and taking appropriate action to address current or future problems or opportunities. As such, initiative can be seen in the context of proactively doing things and not simply thinking about future actions. Formal strategic planning is not included in this competency.
Planning, Organizing and Co-ordinating involves proactively planning, establishing priorities, and allocating resources. It is expressed by developing and implementing increasingly complex plans. It also involves monitoring and adjusting work to accomplish goals and deliver to the organization’s mandate.
Organizational Commitment is the ability and willingness to align one’s own behaviour with the needs, priorities, and goals of the organization, and to promote organizational goals to meet organizational needs. It also includes acting in accordance with organizational decisions and behaving with integrity.
Indigenous relations behavioural competencies
Self-discovery and Awareness means understanding one's thoughts, feelings, values and background and how they impact the success of the interaction and relationship, or how they may influence one's work. It is recognizing one's own biases by tracing them to their origins, through reflection and by noticing one's own behaviour—and then intentionally seeking a way forward that positively impacts the interaction and relationship. It means maintaining new ways of thinking and acting when situations become difficult or uncertain, or in times of urgency.
Cultural Agility is the ability to work respectfully, knowledgeably, and effectively with Indigenous people. It is noticing and readily adapting to cultural uniqueness to create a sense of safety for all. It is openness to unfamiliar experiences, transforming feelings of nervousness or anxiety into curiosity and appreciation. It is examining one's own culture and worldview and the culture of the BC Public Service, and to notice their commonalities and distinctions with Indigenous cultures and worldviews. It is recognition of the ways that personal and professional values may conflict or align with those of Indigenous people. It is the capacity to relate to or allow for differing cultural perspectives and being willing to experience a personal shift in perspective.
ORGANIZATION CHART
Vice-President, Corporate Development
Director, Communications and Strategic Engagement
Communications Specialist (x3)
HOW TO APPLY & APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
To be considered for this position, your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet the education and experience as outlined in the job requirements section above. Applicants selected to move forward in the hiring process may be assessed on the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies as outlined in the above Job Description. A Criminal Record Check (CRC) will be required.
A cover letter is required as part of your application. The content and/or format of your cover letter will be evaluated as part of the screening process.
A resume is required as part of your application. Ensure your resume includes your educational accomplishments, employment history including start and end dates (month and year) of your employment, and any relevant information that relates to the job to which you are applying.
As part of the application process, you will be prompted to complete an online questionnaire to demonstrate how you meet the job requirements. Responses to this questionnaire will be used to shortlist applicants against the job requirements.
Please allot approximately 30 minutes to complete the application.
Only applications submitted using the online application portal will be accepted.
