Student, Marketing & Communications (Transit)

Duties/Responsibilities

• Assists with communications strategies and related activities to promote and increase media and public awareness of transit products, services, and mandate (including service expansion projects).
• Produces/coordinates a range of promotional materials (e.g., press releases, stories, blog posts, newsletters, social media posts, flyers, brochures, signage, handouts). Compiles information from staff on program and service offerings, and creates plans and materials for dissemination across various channels. Ensures materials adhere to guidelines, design standards, and branding. Supervisor reviews and approves public materials prior to release.
• Develops visual content for operational/informational communications, including social marketing initiatives (e.g., photography, videos).
• Writes blog posts and social media content. Maintains and updates relevant webpages and online calendars. Responds to/redirects inquiries. Monitors social and website use and recommends content updates, new pages/sections, and layout changes.
• Participates to evaluate the effectiveness of communications projects.
• Researches and identifies promotional opportunities to support programs and initiatives.
• Participates in outreach activities/events to promote programs and initiatives.
• Assists with internal communications to transit staff to improve employee understanding and engagement.
• Works in a standard office environment. Travels occasionally to participate in events and promotional activities.
• Occasionally lifts/carries boxes of promotional items weighing up to 11 kg/25lbs.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge and skills in marketing and communication principles and practices are acquired through current enrolment and completion of at least one year in a related college or university program.
• Written and verbal communication skills, with ability to compose and edit internal and external publications, brochures, email marketing, digital media, and newsletters using creative, interpretive, and grammatically correct writing skills, and to modify communications to suit audience.
• Ability to speak to small groups (e.g., tours and promotional events).
• Ability to take a creative approach to marketing online, make recommendations, and implement new tools to further the Division’s online presence.
• Skill using social media, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Ability to leverage social media to drive customer engagement and audience development, and enhance social networking.
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as Adobe Creative Suite, and Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word.
• Ability to create visual content as part of informational/operational communications (e.g., video, photography). Ability to edit and rework content into formats appropriate for digital communications platforms.
• Analytical, research, and organizational skills to interpret and apply policies, procedures, and standards; evaluate campaign performance; and work independently and as a team member to complete projects and balance competing demands.
• Ability to adjust working hours for presentations, special events, and may be requested to work weekend hours for same.
• Ability to travel within and occasionally outside Waterloo Region.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.

Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

To be considered for employment as a student, a person must be: registered as a full-time secondary or post-secondary student in an accredited institution, or currently recognized as having full-time status by the academic institution but applying for a school vacation, practicum or work term, or returning to full-time studies in the next academic term. Students who are in their final year of academic study and who are not intending to return to full-time studies are eligible for student employment up until the time they convocate. Students participating in education and retraining programs at the post- secondary level, though not full-time students, are eligible for related student employment opportunities, where appropriate.