Communications and Community Relations Specialist

Please note this is an internal posting and is only available to current employees of C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R.. 

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Communications and Community Relations Specialist provides confidential senior level communications on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer and the Senior Leadership team. They are responsible for assimilating and disseminating confidential and/or embargoed information received from the C.E.O. and from Board of Directors and/or Management meetings.

The Communications and Community Relations Specialist is responsible for all external communication activities assigned including the Annual Report, Social Media, Website, and Branding and Identity. They also participate in the planning, development and implementation of communications, public information, and mental health promotion activities and provide liaison with the public, media and other community groups as well as clients and peers.

The Communications and Community Relations Specialist will assist senior management to develop, implement and promote a comprehensive organizational communications plan for the Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R.) through effective communications strategies. These include branding and content creation that are shared with a wide variety of audiences and channels, including a strong social media presence.

The Communications and Community Relations Specialist portfolio includes fundraising responsibilities, coordinating C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R. activities with privacy implications, and developing a client engagement framework to gather and respond to feedback on the services we provide. The Specialist will coordinate draft funding proposals, gathering sensitive information from a variety of sources including finance, human resources, Board of Directors and senior leadership.

The Communications and Community Relations Specialist supports and promotes quality improvement through internal and external communications and is the in-house expert communication resource for managers and committee leads for critical incident reports, health and safety investigations reports and grievances at the complaint stage and other sensitive communication needs that arise.

Wage: $30.96 to $33.16 per hour
Application Deadline: 12:00 noon on September 9, 2026

Key Responsibilities

1. Communications, Marketing and Public Relations  

• Act as a resource to the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O.), Directors, Managers, Employees, Clients, and agency committees, on matters relating to efficient and effective internal and/or external communications and community development activities


• Attend Board of Directors meetings as required to support communication activities.


• Review and edits confidential information from the C.E.O. and/or Senior Leadership.


• Participate in the research, development, and writing of publications including the Annual report, media releases, press announcements, newsletters, magazine articles, backgrounders, brochures, speeches, etc.


• Create content for C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R. website and weekly communications to all staff.


• Monitor all traditional and social media activity for the branch utilizing Cision software.


• Oversee the implementation of effective brand-building initiatives that support the promotion of health and wellness initiatives and the services provided by C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R.


• Develop effective working relationships with media contacts and coordinate responses to requests for information as required, both locally and nationally.


• Evaluate the effectiveness of internal and external communications and implement strategies to ensure all communications are consistent, compelling, and are reaching the intended audiences.


• Monitor, analyze, report on web usage and interpret and disseminate web statistics to generate monthly media report for the Board of Directors.


• Issue responses to concerns and crises that could have a negative impact on C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R.’s reputation, community partnerships, clients, staff, and other stakeholders.


• Provide support to the C.E.O. and management team to deliver effective communication to staff, clients and the community pertaining to emergency situations and pandemic events.


• Support Manager of Quality and Communications in promoting and advancing quality improvement initiatives across the organization. Create QI presentations, balanced scorecards and maintain QI data and templates.


• Participate in agency quality improvement activities, e.g. accreditation, quality improvement committees.


• Generate and write inspirational stories of client recovery and success through various media methods.


• Assist the Manager of Community Engagement and Education with coordination and delivery of external events.


• Participates in developing annual fundraising goals and strategies to support reach fundraising targets.


• Apprised to confidential program funding and active budget information to aid in seeking and pursuing grant/funding opportunities to support agency initiatives.


• Assists the Manager of Community Engagement and Education in pursuing corporate or public sector sponsorships as well as individual donors.


• Work as a liaison with Delta Bingo and supervises C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R. bingo staff. Complete and/or oversee administrative tasks including: bi-weekly scheduling, review and approval of timesheets, expense claims, vacation requests, etc.
  

2. Performance Management and Professional Development

• Participate cooperatively in the agency performance management process/system.


• Stay current on relevant legislation and best practices, current research, policies and procedures.


• Participate in ongoing professional development and mandatory training.


• Actively engage and participate in supervisory process.

3. Health and Safety – Worker Responsibilities

• Work in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, applicable regulations and all organizational health and safety requirements and procedures to ensure the health and safety of clients, staff/colleagues, volunteers and students.

4. Client Safety

• Adhere to C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R. client safety programs including program policies as well as infection control and prevention procedures. In partnership with clients, family members, and fellow staff, maintain open lines of communication to assist the organization in identifying and achieving quality outcomes for client safety. Report client safety incidents and suggested improvements to manager or delegate.

5. Other Duties as Assigned

• Attend, participate in team/staff meetings, and all-staff meetings as required.


• Participate in agency quality improvement activities, e.g. accreditation projects, committee work, special events, etc.


• Participate in quality improvement activities at the team/program level.


• Participate in external committees as required.


• Duties may change from time to time.

Requirements for the Position:

A. Education and Training

Bachelor's Degree or College Diploma in Communications, Media, Journalism, Public Relations or other relevant program.

Other Relevant and Related Items

• Successful completion of advanced training in Microsoft software and/or database software


• Experience working with Quality Improvement projects is considered an asset


• Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS 2015)


• Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC)


• Workplace Discrimination, Harassment & Violence Prevention


• Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA)


• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)


• Verbal Intervention Training


• Ontario Common Assessment of Need (OCAN)


• First Aid/C.P.R

B. Related and Relevant Experience

Mandatory experience

• Minimum of three (3) years of practical and related experience.

Other Relevant and Related Items

• Non-profit sector experience.


• Intermediate to advanced minus proficiency in French.

C. Competencies

Refer to C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R Competency Matrix.

D. Other

• Valid driver’s license.


• Automobile in good repair and insurance coverage as required by agency policy.


• Satisfactory police records search and vulnerable sector screening.


• Satisfactory references.


• Intermediate to advanced minus proficiency in French


• Lived expertise with a mental health concern or addiction, either personally or with a family member is an asset


• Proof of receipt of full COVID-19 vaccine


• Ability to work remotely, for example from home, as required

Working Conditions

• Work in an office setting as well as in the community at various public events, which may include inside and outside events, across the four counties, in various types of weather and conditions.


• Flexibility required to attend Board meetings, events and provide communication in crisis situation as needed that may be beyond the standard core hours


• Work in contact with individuals living with serious mental illness, issues of poverty and substance use.


• Work in a remote environment, such as a personal home, as required .