Specialist, Community & Media Relations - Remote Canada | 6 month Contract

OVERVIEW

The Specialist, Community and Media Relations - ON, supports the delivery of Circular Materials’ community engagement, public education, and media relations activities across Ontario.

Reporting to the Director, Community and Media Relations, this role is responsible for supporting community outreach initiatives, tracking and helping to manage stakeholder inquiries,  helping with  media relations, and developing communications materials that strengthen relationships with municipalities, community partners, and residents. Materials include messaging, backgrounders and Q&A. The Specialist works collaboratively across teams to ensure consistent, community-focused messaging and positive stakeholder experiences under Ontario’s extended producer responsibility framework.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Media Relations

Support media relations by drafting media materials, backgrounders, key messages, and briefing notes aligned with approved strategies.

Assist in preparing presentations, webinars, and materials for public-facing engagements.

Coordinate with the communications team to support responses to media inquiries and ensure timely, accurate, and community-centered messaging.

Community Engagement

Support the implementation of community engagement and change management activities related to extended producer responsibility in Ontario.

Tracking and managing stakeholder requests and feedback.

Coordinate and support webinars, town halls, stakeholder meetings, and public engagement sessions, including logistics, materials, and follow-up communications.

Serve as a point of contact for community inquiries, ensuring timely responses and escalating complex or sensitive issues to the Director, Community and Media Relations as appropriate.

Assist in developing clear, accessible resources to help communities understand and participate in Circular Materials’ programs.

Community Relations Marketing

Support the execution of community-focused public education and awareness initiatives in collaboration with marketing and communications teams.

Assist with community sponsorships, events, and partnership activities, including coordination, tracking, and reporting and ensure community-facing materials align with brand standards and approved messaging.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Post-secondary education in Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience

3–5 years of relevant experience in community engagement, communications, media relations, or public affairs.

Experience working with municipalities, community organizations, or public-sector stakeholders is considered an asset.

Experience supporting campaigns, programs, or public education initiatives is preferred.

Knowledge/Competencies/Skills

Working knowledge of community engagement and stakeholder relations best practices.

Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging for diverse audiences.

Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively. Project management experience would be an asset.

Sound judgment, professionalism, and integrity in all interactions.

WORKING CONDITIONS

All CM employees work 40 hours per week, remotely from a Canadian home office environment.

PAY TRANSPARENCY 

Expected Compensation: 

A contractor rate in the range of $40 to $48 per hour.

The wage range listed complies with the Ontario Employment Standards Act and reflects a potential earnings range for this role.  The actual wage offered will be determined within the range, and will depend on factors, such as the candidate’s unique qualifications, relevant experience, work location and expected contributions.   

Job Vacancy Reason 

This position is a new temporary position of 6-months.

Artificial Intelligence 

AI is not used during our hiring processes.  

Applicant and Interviewee Communication 

We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those under consideration will be contacted. 

Applicants who have been interviewed will be informed whether a hiring decision has been made within 45 days of their final interview. 

Record Retention  

Job posting records and associated application forms will be retained for at least three years.  

ABOUT CIRCULAR MATERIALS

Circular Materials is a national not-for-profit producer responsibility organization (PRO) that supports producers in meeting their extended producer responsibility (EPR) obligations across Canada. Created by producers for producers, Circular Materials develops, implements, and supports effective and efficient recycling programs to advance innovation, deliver improved environmental outcomes and drive value across the recycling supply chain. Our full-service offerings include collection, management, promotion and education, and reporting.  

Together, we are advancing the circular economy where materials are collected, recycled, and can be returned to producers for use as recycled content in new products and packaging. As we develop enhanced recycling systems across Canada, we work to ensure more materials are looped into the circular economy, benefiting both people and the environment.  

Learn more at circularmaterials.ca.  

Circular Materials is an equal opportunity employer, seeking team members with a diversity of thought, skills, experiences, culture, and ethnicity to help us achieve our purpose of accelerating a circular economy for people and the planet. As a national organization operating across Canada, our goal is to build a workforce that reflects the diversity of the many provinces and territories where we do business.  

Our inclusive hiring practices aim to foster a culture where all employees feel a strong sense of belonging. We are proud of our recent diversity survey results which showed that:  

51% of Circular Materials employees identify as women. 

53% of Circular Materials employees identify as visible minorities. 

97% of employees believe Circular Materials fosters a strong sense of belonging for employees of all backgrounds.  

95% of employees recommend Circular Materials as an inclusive workplace.   

We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including women, Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis), persons with disabilities, racialized individuals, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.  As part of our commitment to reconciliation, Circular Materials is working to advance Indigenous representation and partnerships within our organization and across our programs.  We acknowledge that Circular Materials operates on the traditional territories of diverse Indigenous Nations, and we recognize the importance of respecting Indigenous rights, governance, and contributions in the workplace and beyond. 

Circular Materials supports reasonable requests for accommodation in accordance with all applicable provincial accessibility standards. Requests for accommodation will be provided by Circular Materials through the recruitment and/or assessment processes, upon contacting [email protected]. This email is only used for accommodation requests.