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Focus Area Information - Communications

Communications in the Ontario Public Service

Communications is vital to government. OPS communications specialists develop messages and strategies to publicize key government initiatives. Ministry communications branches advise and support the minister, deputy minister and ministry program areas.

Communications in the OPS involves:

  • Developing targeted strategies to get the public's and media’s attention
  • Planning and coordinating events to support communications strategies
  • Identifying and managing issues
  • Writing and editing communications products like news releases, speeches, briefing notes, fact sheets and newsletters
  • Managing ministry websites and graphic designs.

Knowledge

  • Strategic Communications/Integrated Marketing: an understanding of integrated marketing principles and concepts
  • Digital Communications: knowledge of digital communications including social media platforms and an understanding of how different digital channels are used to communicate with audiences

Skills

  • Communication: present information using traditional and/or digital media in a clear, concise and accurate manner through effective written, oral and visual communication
  • Collaboration: work with others across the organization to identify and solve a problem or achieve a common goal that is mutually beneficial
  • Client Focused: anticipate and identify client needs to respond and provide better services with a goal of maximizing client satisfaction. Customers and clients may include the public, colleagues, partners, and peers
  • Problem-Solving: recognize, understand and resolve a problem by breaking it apart into smaller pieces, and evaluating options and identifying alternative solutions. This also includes the ability to blend robust analysis with creativity to solve new and changing problems, as well as challenging the status quo where appropriate
  • Research: ascertain relevant questions/concerns about the identified topic and determine the most appropriate method(s) to acquire the knowledge and or information needed to address, as fully and accurately as possible, those questions/concerns
  • Relationship Management: build and maintain strong working relationships with clients, stakeholders, partners and colleagues while demonstrating respect, ethics and extending trust in order to achieve organizational goals
  • Planning and Coordinating: prioritize tasks, manage competing priorities to effectively manage time in order to meet deadlines.

What to Expect

As a communications intern, your work could include:

Integrated Marketing/ Strategic Planning

  • Identifying marketing, communications and media opportunities
  • Consulting with stakeholders and managing issues.

Media Relations and Event Planning

  • Planning and organizing media and special events
  • Identifying and analyzing media issues.

Communications Planning and Writing

  • Developing and implementing communications strategies and plans
  • Writing and editing supporting communications products like news releases, Q&As, and speeches
  • Writing correspondence.

Digital Communications

  • Researching, developing and launching digital communications
  • Working on the graphic design of brochures, posters and reports.

Looking Ahead

This is just the beginning of your career in the Ontario Public Service.

An internship is an opportunity to learn and develop your communications skills in the public service. The internship is intended to be the start of a public service career and will prepare and develop you for job opportunities in the Ontario Public Service. An internship in this area can prepare you for a career as a/an:

  • Event Planner
  • Media Relations Specialist
  • Communications Consultant
  • Writer/Editor
  • Web Editor

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