Communications & Outreach Assistant

Job Description

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is passionate about the environment, skilled in digital storytelling and eager to gain hands-on experience in communications. The Communications & Outreach Assistant supports LEAF's mission to engage communities in nurturing the urban forest by creating engaging digital content, coordinating outreach activities and helping promote participation in our Community Tree Planting and Stewardship programs. This role focuses on producing high-quality communications materials and managing day-to-day digital execution.

Reporting Relationships

Reports to: Operations Director

Direct reports: none



Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The list below outlines the major responsibilities; however, additional tasks may be assigned as needed.




Communications & Content Creation 

• Develop engaging promotional content, including social posts, newsletters and blogs
  
• Create basic graphic assets (e.g., simple infographics, event visuals, etc.) using approved templates
  
• Manage the social media content calendar for assigned programs
  
• Capture photo and video content at events to support ongoing storytelling
  
• Draft and schedule social media posts for program activities using approved messaging
  
• Monitor comments on program-related content and flag items for follow-up when needed
  
• Prepare and schedule program-related newsletter updates
  
• Assist with routine website updates related to assigned programs
  

Community Outreach 

• Represent LEAF at public events, sharing information about our programs and recruiting program participants
  
• Support volunteers who attend public events through communications and logistics
  

Reporting & Administration

• Pull metrics/data for program-related social media, newsletters, web pages and outreach activities
  
• Prepare first-draft communications reports for review
  
• Maintain updated marketing contact lists related to program outreach
  
• Ensure accessibility, privacy and brand guidelines are followed in all drafted materials
  
• Participate in weekly team meetings, one-on-ones and organization-wide meetings, including taking minutes and tracking action items
  

Working Conditions

• Hybrid – includes a combination of office work and in-person work (office days may be worked from home or the LEAF office; in-person activities take place across our service are)
  
• Occasional evening and weekend work
  

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

Education/Equivalent Experience: Degree or diploma in Communications, Marketing, Graphic Design, Urban Forestry, Environmental Studies or related field

Skills, Abilities and Personal Attributes:

• Digital Literacy - you are competent using digital devices and tools to obtain, create or process digital information in a secure manner.
  
• Communication Skills - you effectively listen, comprehend, and convey information through spoken and written language, adapting messages to the audience by using clear expression, active listening and purposeful writing.
  
• Interpersonal Skills - you effectively interact, communicate and work with others. This includes awareness of others' verbal and non-verbal cues, empathy for diverse perspectives, and the ability to engage respectfully and productively across different cultural backgrounds to achieve shared goals.
  
• Collaboration - you work cooperatively, supporting the inclusion of others in achieving a common goal.
  
• Critical thinking - you use logic and reasoning to question, interpret and analyze information to form evidence-based conclusions, make informed decisions and anticipate potential challenges.
  
• Problem-solving - you identify challenges, review related information, analyze options and implement effective solutions to achieve desired outcomes.
  
• Operational Planning - you effectively determine the steps and tasks to meet key objectives on time.
  
• Attention to Detail - You are meticulous in the execution of tasks.
  
• Creativity - you generate unusual or unique ideas and develop original ways to solve a problem.
  
• Active and continuous learning - you proactively pursue knowledge and skill development in order to adapt to change and work effectively.
  
• Professional Conscientiousness - you demonstrate reliability, integrity, and accountability by honoring commitments, acting ethically and taking responsibility for individual and team actions.
  
• Adaptability and Resilience - you adjust effectively to expected or unexpected changing circumstances and priorities while maintaining performance and focus and you are able to recover effectively when faced with challenges or changing circumstances.
  

Asset Qualifications:

• Certifications, tools and software: Adobe InDesign, Canva, Video Editing Software, Project Management Software, Graphic Design, User Experience Design 
  
• Skills, Abilities and Personal Attributes: 
  

Experience

• Entry level position
  
• Experience working or volunteering with a non-profit organization an asset 
  

Other Requirements

This position is made available through ECO Canada. The following requirements are necessary:

• Be between the ages of 18 and 30
  
• Canadian Citizen, permanent resident, or person on whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
  
• Legally entitled to work according to Ontario regulations
  

Benefits

Wage: 26.59/hour

Additional Benefits:

• Paid time off, including Wellness Leave
  
• Cell phone allowance of $10 per paycheque (bi-weekly pay schedule)
  
• Co-pay health and dental benefits available after three months
  
• Professional development program, including funds and paid time
  
• 3 additional paid days off provided per calendar year (prorated to length of contract)
  

About Our Hiring Process

No phone calls or in-person visits, please. Only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted. After you submit your application, our team reviews it against the requirements and qualifications for the role. Some applicants may receive pre-screening questions by email or phone to help us understand your skills and fit before inviting you to interview. All interviews are conducted virtually at a scheduled time that works for you. References are requested for candidates that participate in the full interview process. Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are not able to provide individual feedback unless you are participating in an interview.