Specialist, Public Realm Programs

City of Ottawa

Ottawa, Ontario

Salary: $93,764.58 - $114,097.62  annually (2025 rates of pay)

Requisition ID: 18809 
Department: Public Works Dept. 
Service: Business & Tech Support Services 
Branch: Public Outreach & Communications Branch
Employment Type: 1 Full-time Temporary - Up to 1 year 
Work Hours: 35.00 hours per week
Affiliation: CIPP 
Salary Information: $93,764.58 - $114,097.62  annually (2025 rates of pay)
Location: 100 Constellation, Nepean  
City: Ottawa, ON
Job Category: Administrative and Support Services 
Application Close: 29/08/2025

JOB SUMMARY

Public Outreach and Communications provides strategic communications and outreach expertise to the Public Works department through a centralized unit that consolidates and streamlines the delivery of specialized communications, outreach and education programs, initiatives, activities and services, and leads programs in the public realm.
The department’s current public realm programs exist within public spaces such as roads, sidewalks, pathways and parks and include Cleaning the Capital, Adopt-A-Park/Road, Graffiti Management (including Paint it Up!) and Integrated Street Furniture.

In this role, you are responsible for developing a new public realm program focused on leveraging the community to remove invasive plant species from public lands. Environmental knowledge as well as project management, program development, community engagement and consultation, and partnership relations experience are critical for this role. Proven ability to work collaboratively and effectively across service areas and with elected officials is required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Completion of 4 year university degree in Communications, Marketing, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field

Minimum of 6 years of related and progressively responsible experience in public relations, government affairs, community programming or public outreach.

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENCES

Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is an asset

KNOWLEDGE

Public realm programs such as Cleaning the Capital, Adopt, Integrated Street Furniture, Graffiti, Mural and Anti-litter programs
Corporate, departmental and branch policies and procedures
Structure and processes of municipal government, including inter-governmental stakeholders
Current trends and developments in communications techniques, practices, electronic media, public/media relations and social media
Public engagement and consultation processes and best practices
Project management principles and techniques
Program development, delivery and evaluation
Research methods
Working knowledge of Corporate Human Resource policies and the principles of functional supervision in a unionized environment
Techniques to develop business cases/promote business plans

COMPETENCIES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Research, report writing and analytical skills
Oral and written communications and presentation skills
Ability to lead a team of Public Realm Coordinators
Ability to lead multi-stakeholder initiatives and effectively identify and balance external stakeholder and staff needs
Interpersonal skills, including the ability to adapt to, and work effectively and collaboratively with, various individuals or groups to achieve results
Problem-solving, conflict resolution and decision-making skills
Ability to organize and effectively prioritize tasks, and manage own work time and competing priorities
Ability to represent and promote the City’s public realm programs and initiatives
Demonstrates initiative
Good work ethic
Conscientious and committed to quality results
Possesses good judgment, diplomacy, discretion and tact
Flexible and adaptable
Innovative
Effective leader

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Language Requirement: English oral, reading, writing
Driver’s License Requirement: A valid Ontario unrestricted G class driver’s license (or provincial equivalent) with no more than 6 demerit points accumulated; This position requires the successful candidate to use their own transportation.
Experience and formal training combined with demonstrated performance and ability may substitute for stipulated academic requirements.
Please save a copy of the job poster. Once the closing date has passed, it will no longer be available.

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for this position. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

The City of Ottawa promotes the principles of diversity and inclusion and adheres to the tenets of the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code. We encourage applications from members of Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women and non-binary persons, persons of all ethnic origins, religions, sexual orientations, classes, gender identities and expressions.
Candidates are encouraged to self-identify as a member of one or more designated employment equity groups in the self-identification questionnaire.

The City of Ottawa provides accommodation to applicants during all parts of the hiring process, upon request. If contacted to proceed to the selection process, please advise us if you require any accommodation.

Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request. Please contact the Employee Service Centre at 613-580-2424 extension 12211 or via email at esc-cse@ottawa.ca.

We are committed to hiring military and Veteran spouses and encourage you to identify your connection with the MSEN when reaching out to us or applying to any of our open roles.

Have questions or want to learn more about us? We would love to hear from you!

ESC-CSE@ottawa.ca

Whenever possible, reach out to a named contact rather than a general inbox - it helps ensure a quicker, more personalized response. If you hit a bounce-back, let us know at

employment.Emploi@cfmws.com

About City of Ottawa

The City of Ottawa: A place to grow your career.

We are proud to be an employer of choice, attracting talented individuals who reflect the community we serve. As an award-winning employer in the National Capital region and one of Canada’s best diversity employers, we foster a respectful and inclusive culture where every employee can feel a sense of belonging.

Your career can flourish across more than 110 diverse business lines all while enjoying the stability of a single employer. We champion continuous learning, value work-life balance and support every stage of your career journey. We are committed to investing in our people through competitive compensation, an employer-matched defined benefit pension plan and a suite of benefits that support both personal and professional well-being.

Join the City of Ottawa to experience making a meaningful difference and improving the quality of life in our community!

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