Specialist, Public Realm Programs
Requisition ID: 18809
Department: Public Works Dept.
Service: Business & Tech Support Services
Branch: Public Outreach & Communications Branch
Employment Type: 1 Full-time Temporary - Up to 1 year
Work Hours: 35.00 hours per week
Affiliation: CIPP
Salary Information: $93,764.58 - $114,097.62 annually (2025 rates of pay)
Location: 100 Constellation, Nepean
City: Ottawa, ON
Job Category: Administrative and Support Services
Application Close: 29/08/2025
JOB SUMMARY
Public Outreach and Communications provides strategic communications and outreach expertise to the Public Works department through a centralized unit that consolidates and streamlines the delivery of specialized communications, outreach and education programs, initiatives, activities and services, and leads programs in the public realm.
The department’s current public realm programs exist within public spaces such as roads, sidewalks, pathways and parks and include Cleaning the Capital, Adopt-A-Park/Road, Graffiti Management (including Paint it Up!) and Integrated Street Furniture.
In this role, you are responsible for developing a new public realm program focused on leveraging the community to remove invasive plant species from public lands. Environmental knowledge as well as project management, program development, community engagement and consultation, and partnership relations experience are critical for this role. Proven ability to work collaboratively and effectively across service areas and with elected officials is required.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Completion of 4 year university degree in Communications, Marketing, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field
Minimum of 6 years of related and progressively responsible experience in public relations, government affairs, community programming or public outreach.
CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENCES
KNOWLEDGE
- Public realm programs such as Cleaning the Capital, Adopt, Integrated Street Furniture, Graffiti, Mural and Anti-litter programs
- Corporate, departmental and branch policies and procedures
- Structure and processes of municipal government, including inter-governmental stakeholders
- Current trends and developments in communications techniques, practices, electronic media, public/media relations and social media
- Public engagement and consultation processes and best practices
- Project management principles and techniques
- Program development, delivery and evaluation
- Research methods
- Working knowledge of Corporate Human Resource policies and the principles of functional supervision in a unionized environment
- Techniques to develop business cases/promote business plans
COMPETENCIES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Research, report writing and analytical skills
- Oral and written communications and presentation skills
- Ability to lead a team of Public Realm Coordinators
- Ability to lead multi-stakeholder initiatives and effectively identify and balance external stakeholder and staff needs
- Interpersonal skills, including the ability to adapt to, and work effectively and collaboratively with, various individuals or groups to achieve results
- Problem-solving, conflict resolution and decision-making skills
- Ability to organize and effectively prioritize tasks, and manage own work time and competing priorities
- Ability to represent and promote the City’s public realm programs and initiatives
- Demonstrates initiative
- Good work ethic
- Conscientious and committed to quality results
- Possesses good judgment, diplomacy, discretion and tact
- Flexible and adaptable
- Innovative
- Effective leader
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- Language Requirement: English oral, reading, writing
- Driver’s License Requirement: A valid Ontario unrestricted G class driver’s license (or provincial equivalent) with no more than 6 demerit points accumulated; This position requires the successful candidate to use their own transportation.
- Experience and formal training combined with demonstrated performance and ability may substitute for stipulated academic requirements.
- Please save a copy of the job poster. Once the closing date has passed, it will no longer be available.
We wish to thank all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for this position. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.
The City of Ottawa promotes the principles of diversity and inclusion and adheres to the tenets of the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code. We encourage applications from members of Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women and non-binary persons, persons of all ethnic origins, religions, sexual orientations, classes, gender identities and expressions.
Candidates are encouraged to self-identify as a member of one or more designated employment equity groups in the self-identification questionnaire.
The City of Ottawa provides accommodation to applicants during all parts of the hiring process, upon request. If contacted to proceed to the selection process, please advise us if you require any accommodation.
Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request. Please contact the Employee Service Centre at 613-580-2424 extension 12211 or via email at esc-cse@ottawa.ca.