Communications Advisor

Penticton is a vibrant, innovative, healthy waterfront city focused on sustainability, community, and economic opportunity. At the City of Penticton, our goal is to serve our residents, businesses, and visitors through good governance, partnership and the delivery of effective and community-focused services.

The City of Penticton is looking to fill the position of Communications Advisor in our Communications and Engagement Department. The Communications and Engagement Department helps residents stay connected with their community by providing them with timely and accurate information about City services and supporting their involvement in City decisions that affect their lives.

Reporting to the Manager of Communications and Engagement, the Communications Advisor is a dynamic communicator with a solid understand of strategic communications. The Communications Advisor is responsible for delivering a diverse range of communication, engagement and marketing strategies for assigned departments within the City of Penticton. This position has cross-functional coordination responsibilities and supports the execution of the City's strategic priorities and annual communications strategy. Additionally, the Communications Advisor works as a contributing team member to conceptualize, support and deliver communication, engagement and initiatives in alignment with the City's goals and strategic priorities. The Communications Advisor thrives in a fast-paced environment and is able to manage a range of tasks and priorities throughout each day. Attention to detail and accuracy in the position is fundamental, and the position incumbent will not hesitate to go beyond the bare minimum to ensure the job is completed effectively and efficiently.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develops and implements strategic communications plans to support City programs, services, and initiatives.
• Develops and implements marketing strategies and plans that align with corporate priorities and departmental goals.
• Leads public engagement initiatives, ensuring alignment with departmental and corporate goals.
• Provides expert advice on communication channels, messaging, and audience engagement.
• Creates and manages content across various platforms including digital, print, social media, and media relations.
• Coordinates and supports public engagement activities, including planning, facilitation, and reporting.
• Creates and develops digital content strategies and content tailored to diverse audiences and platforms.
• Supports crisis communications planning and response, including rapid development of messaging, coordination with leadership, and media relations.
• Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of communications strategies and adjust plans to improve outcomes.
• Manages project timelines, budgets, and resources to deliver high-quality communications products.
• Upholds and promotes the City's brand and reputation through all communications efforts.
• Researches and applies best practices in communications, marketing, public engagement, and crisis response.
• Reviews and approves communications materials developed by team members and other departments.
• Supports internal communications to foster employee engagement and alignment with corporate values.
• Supports the development of marketing and communications materials by contributing to graphic design and layout. This includes working closely with external designers to help bring concepts to life, ensuring brand consistency, visual clarity and attention to detail across all materials.
• Supports issues management, media relations and crisis communications by preparing key messages, monitoring media coverage, coordinating responses, and advising senior staff on communications strategies. This includes helping to manage the City's reputation on an ongoing basis by identifying emerging risks, supporting proactive messaging, and ensuring consistent, transparent public information.
• Develops and implements strategic communications plans that align with organizational priorities. This includes working collaboratively across departments, building strong relationships, and influencing outcomes without formal authority by providing sound advice, clear messaging, and thoughtful coordination.

This role is a great fit for someone high-energy, creative, a strong writer, detail-oriented and deadline-driven. They should be a self-starter who takes initiative, works well independently and as part of a team, and thrives on engaging with the public. The ideal candidate will have a passion for communications, enjoy building community, and be skilled at developing strong relationships with community partners.

Required Knowledge, AbilitiesSkills:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong public relations and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational, project management and administrative skills.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Experience with operational and capital projects communications.
• Knowledge of local government and the role of communications and engagement.
• Knowledge of IAP2 public engagement principles and best practices.
• Proficient in multiple social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
• Ability to deliver creative, engaging, and professional content (text, image and video).
• Ability to write in a variety of styles including formal (e.g., letters to residents) and informal (e.g., social media).
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as part of a team.
• Self-motivated and creative.
• Skilled with Microsoft Office suite of programs (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Skilled in proofreading and correct use of the English language.
• Ability to take initiative, exercise sound judgement and to work independently.
• Ability to exercise creativity, inventiveness and originality in all scopes of work.
• Available to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Ability to develop and deliver digital content.

Education, TrainingExperience:

• 5+ years of work experience in the communication, or marketing field, preferably with local government experience as well as experience:
  • Developing and implementing integrated communications and engagement strategies
  • Writing for a range of audiences and channels including but not limited to media, newsletters, construction notices and corporate reports
  • Public and community engagement planning, delivery, analysis and reporting
  • Marketing communications and digital communications
  • Completion of post-secondary degree or diploma with a specialization in communications, marketing or businesses or related discipline at a recognized institution; or,
• An equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Valid B.C Driver's License.

At the City of Penticton, we recognize that great talent and great ideas come from a variety of backgrounds. Tapping into the diversity of our community makes us all stronger and allows us to serve Penticton even better.

That's why we welcome all applicants to consider joining our team. We encourage Indigenous persons, people of colour, all genders and expressions, 2SLGBT2QIA+, persons living with disabilities, and others who reflect our ever-changing workplace to apply.

So, if your experience is close to what we're looking for, we would love a chance to talk about working with you. We welcome your cover letter and resume by October 19, 2025.

If you require any accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected], we'd be happy to hear from you.

The noted compensation range is the span between the minimum and maximum salary for a position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and maximum of the salary range for a job with consideration given to internal equity.