Communications Specialist - Alberta Sheriffs Police Service

Role Responsibilities

The Communications Specialist is responsible for delivering clear, accurate, and strategic communications that support the priorities of the Alberta Sheriffs Police Service (ASPS) and enhance public understanding of its role in community safety. The position provides communications advice and develops written, digital, and multimedia products informed by organizational objectives, audience needs, and the broader public and media environment. As a key member of the communications team, the role supports files of significant public interest, contributes to issues management and communications planning, and responds to public, media, and stakeholder inquiries with sound judgment, strong writing skills, and a professional, empathetic approach. Through timely and effective communications, the Communications Specialist helps educate Albertans and strengthen confidence in ASPS.

Key responsibilities include:

•    Research, write, edit, and coordinate high-quality communications products, including news releases, web and social media content, speeches, briefing materials, and issues management products. 
•    Lead media relations for assigned portfolios, including responding to inquiries, pitching stories, coordinating interviews, and supporting media availabilities. 
•    Support issues management and crisis communications by monitoring media and public sentiment and developing proactive and reactive messaging. 
•    Conduct research and environmental scans to inform communications strategies, including analysis of media coverage, stakeholder perspectives, and emerging issues. 
•    Develop and coordinate digital content for ASPS internet, intranet, and social media platforms in alignment with corporate standards and strategic goals. 
•    Collaborate with internal teams and external partners, serve as a spokesperson when required, and participate in afterhours on call support for urgent communications.
•    Assisting with drafting and coordinating internal communications to support clear and effective messaging.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies: https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following competencies:

•    Creative Problem Solving: Asks questions to get to root issues and generate deep understanding and new ways of thinking about an issue.
•    Build Collaborative Environments: Promotes collaboration and positive relationships within and across groups and builds commitment to reach desired results.
•    Drive for Results: Taking ownership of understanding and achieving results both as an individual and as part of a team.
•    Develop Networks: Looks broadly inside and outside the APS to identify key stakeholders. Actively engages them early and ensures their voice is heard, and their concerns are acknowledged.

Qualifications

University graduation in communications, public relations, journalism or other closely related fields and a minimum of four (4) years progressively responsible experience in a designated public relations, public affairs, or public information position.

Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of:

•    one year of education for one year of experience.
•    one year of experience for one year of education.

Requirements: 

•    Experience in communications planning and developing communications products (e.g., speeches, key messages, briefings, social media content, web content, news releases, and media responses).
•    Experience building and maintaining client relationships, including working in complex or fast paced environments.

Assets: 

•    Experience working in a law enforcement, public safety or other partner agency environment. 
•    Special event planning and implementation experience in a high‑profile or operationally sensitive setting.
•    Experience supporting issues management, crisis communications, or complex public interest files.
•    Strong understanding of current and historic events, in the police landscape across Alberta, in order to identify emerging trends that may impact the Alberta Sheriffs Police Service and its project/initiatives.
•    Practical experience in a police environment or organization is an asset.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

There is one (1) permanent, full-time, fully in-person position available

Monday to Friday, 8:15am to 4:30pm, 36.25 hours per week.

•    Please note a cover letter explaining how you meet the requirements and assets of the role is required.
•    Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.
•    Valid Class 5 Alberta Driver’s License or equivalent is required.
•    Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees.

•    Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
•    Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca.
•    Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
•    Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
•    Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
•    Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
•    Leadership and mentorship programs.