🔹 Job Title: Communications Officer (youth opportunity)
🔹 Company: LDS - Learn. Develop. Succeed.
🔹 Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, fixed-term summer contract (12 weeks)
🔹 Category: Communications / Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: April 23, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 0-2 years (Entry-level)
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (with remote work options for some tasks)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
1. Community Outreach: Building relationships with local partners, schools, and organizations to raise awareness of LDS' mission and services.
2. Event Planning: Coordinating the distribution of promotional materials and supporting the planning and execution of community events.
3. Online Course Development: Collaborating with program staff to convert existing workshop materials into engaging and accessible online courses.
4. Database Management: Developing an online, searchable database for family, student, and supporter testimonials.
Assumption: This role is specifically aimed at youths aged 15-30 years old, as part of the Canada Summer Jobs program. Applicants should check their eligibility on the CSJ website.
📋 Key Responsibilities
🔑 Community Outreach:
- Assist with community outreach efforts by building relationships with local partners, schools, and organizations to raise awareness of LDS' mission and services.
- Coordinate the distribution of promotional materials, such as posters and flyers, to ensure our message reaches key community locations effectively.
- Support the planning and execution of community events, serving as a representative of LDS to engage with attendees, share information about our programs, and foster meaningful connections.
🔑 Event Planning:
- Collaborate with the communications team to align efforts with LDS’ strategic goals and ensure events are well-organized and successful.
🔑 Online Course Development:
- Work closely with program staff to convert existing workshop materials into engaging and accessible online courses for our website, ensuring they align with neuroaffirming practices and are user-friendly.
🔑 Database Management:
- Develop an online, searchable database for family, student, and supporter testimonials, streamlining their integration into communication materials such as newsletters, social media, and grant applications.
Assumption: This position requires a collaborative approach, working closely with the communications team to align efforts with LDS’ strategic goals. It offers an opportunity to contribute to meaningful initiatives that promote equitable education and community engagement while supporting the success of individuals with learning differences.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education:
- Current enrollment or recent completion of a Communications or related program (asset)
Experience:
- 0-2 years of relevant experience (e.g., in communications, marketing, or community engagement)
Required Skills:
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills
- Current enrollment or recent completion of a Communications or related program
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Suite (Google Docs, Sheets, Slides)
- Familiarity with social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) and email marketing tools
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Ability to work independently and in a team environment
- Proficiency in data management and analysis
- Knowledge of Accessibility for Ontarians (AODA) standards and best practices for digital content
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with HTML and CSS for web content creation
- Familiarity with customer relationship management (CRM) software
- Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
- Familiarity with video editing software (e.g., iMovie, Adobe Premiere Pro)
Assumption: Applicants should have exceptional written and oral communication skills and be currently enrolled or have recently completed a Communications or related program. Proficiency in relevant software and digital tools is essential for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary: $27.05/hour
Benefits:
- On-site parking
Working Hours: 35 hours/week plus a half-an-hour unpaid break, split evenly over Mon-Fri.
Assumption: The salary is based on the Canada Summer Jobs program funding rate. Benefits may vary based on the organization's standard benefits package for full-time employees.
📌 Applicant Insights
Company Context:
- Industry: Individual and Family Services
- Company Size: 51-200 employees
- Founded: 1970
- Mission: LDS provides comprehensive, expert educational support for those age 3-adult with learning differences in BC and beyond. Their primary program, RISE (Research-informed Individualized Student Education), targets student-specific learning needs and provides one-to-one, customized, evidence-based, remedial instruction. LDS aims to empower children and youth with learning differences to recognize their unique strengths and develop tools to achieve confidence and success. Since 1970, LDS has served everyone, including the most vulnerable children in our community by making their programs financially accessible. LDS is focused on promoting community awareness and fostering a greater understanding of the issues and challenges faced by children with learning differences. Through early intervention, they make a transformative difference in the learning and life outcomes of students. Their ultimate goal is to effect system change with wide-ranging societal benefits.
- Specialties: Remedial Teaching, Learning Disabilities, Workshops, Tutoring, dyslexia, ADHD, ASD, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, speech language therapy, social emotional learning, learning differences, neurodiversity, and early years
- Website: [LDS Society](http://www.ldsociety.ca)
Role Analysis:
- Career Level: Entry-level to mid-level
- Reporting Structure: Reports to the Senior Manager, Communications
- Work Arrangement: On-site, with remote work options for some tasks
- Growth Opportunities: This role offers opportunities to gain experience in communications, event planning, and community engagement. It also provides a chance to work with a diverse team and contribute to meaningful initiatives that impact the lives of individuals with learning differences.
Potential Challenges:
- This role is a fixed-term summer contract, which may not offer long-term career prospects within the organization.
- The role may require working some evenings and weekends to support community events.
- Applicants should be comfortable working with diverse populations, including children, youth, and adults with learning differences.
Similar Roles Comparison:
- This role is unique in its focus on supporting individuals with learning differences and promoting community awareness of learning challenges. While it shares similarities with other communications and event planning roles, its specific focus on this population sets it apart.
Sample Projects:
- Developing promotional materials for community events
- Creating engaging online content for LDS' website
- Managing the testimonial database and integrating testimonials into communication materials
Key Questions to Ask During Interview:
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30-60-90 days?
- How does this role fit into the organization's long-term strategic plans?
- What are the most important qualities for success in this role?
- How does LDS support the professional development of its employees?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the communications team, and how can this role help address them?
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
1. Online application submission through the Freshteam link provided in the job description.
2. Phone or video screening to assess communication skills and cultural fit.
3. In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and potentially other team members to discuss the role, qualifications, and fit within the organization.
4. Reference checks and background verification for the successful candidate.
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills (written and verbal)
- Cultural fit and alignment with LDS' mission and values
- Problem-solving skills and ability to work independently and in a team environment
- Technical skills related to the role's requirements (e.g., software proficiency, digital content creation)
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role.
- Showcase your understanding of LDS' mission and the specific needs of individuals with learning differences.
- Demonstrate your ability to work effectively with diverse populations, including children, youth, and adults.
- Prepare examples of your communication skills, such as writing samples or presentations, to bring to the interview.
- Research LDS' programs and services to ask informed questions during the interview.
ATS Keywords: (Strategically include these keywords in your resume to improve visibility for this role)
- Communications, Marketing, Community Engagement, Event Planning, Online Course Development, Database Management, Testimonials, Outreach, Promotional Materials, Community Events, Neuroaffirming Practices, User-friendly Content, Accessibility Standards, AODA, Digital Content Creation, CRM, Adobe Creative Suite, Video Editing, Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, Social Media, Data Management, Analysis, Accessibility, Learning Differences, Learning Challenges, Neurodiversity, Early Intervention, System Change, Community Awareness, Education Support, Remedial Instruction, Evidence-based Practices, Customized Learning, Individualized Education, Youth Opportunity, Canada Summer Jobs, CSJ Job Board
Assumption: Applicants should explicitly state their assumptions about the role, the organization, and the application process in their cover letter to demonstrate their understanding and engagement with the position.
🛠️️ Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- LDS is a diverse group of inspired, dedicated, and caring professionals making a significant impact in the lives of learners, families, and communities they serve. They seek new skills, energy, and talent to grow their team, deepen their impact, and advance their mission.
Work Style:
- LDS operates in a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive work environment. They value open communication, active listening, and continuous learning. Applicants should be comfortable working in a team environment and contributing to a positive, respectful, and inclusive culture.
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do your personal values align with LDS' mission and values?
- How do you approach working with diverse populations, including children, youth, and adults with learning differences?
- How do you handle challenges and setbacks, and what strategies do you use to maintain a positive and inclusive work environment?
- How do you contribute to a collaborative and supportive team dynamic?
Assumption: Applicants should explicitly state their assumptions about cultural fit factors specific to this company and provide specific examples of their alignment with LDS' values and work style.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- This role may require working with sensitive and personal information related to individuals with learning differences. Applicants should be comfortable handling confidential information and maintaining ethical standards.
- The role may involve working with individuals and families from diverse backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses. Applicants should be comfortable navigating cultural and socioeconomic differences and ensuring that LDS' services are accessible and inclusive to all.
- The fixed-term nature of the role may present challenges for long-term career planning. Applicants should consider their personal and professional goals when applying for this position.
Assumption: Applicants should explicitly state their assumptions about challenges specific to this position and provide strategies for addressing them effectively.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on supporting individuals with learning differences and promoting community awareness of learning challenges. While it shares similarities with other communications and event planning roles, its specific focus on this population sets it apart. Applicants should highlight their unique qualifications and experiences that make them a strong fit for this specific role.
Assumption: Applicants should explicitly state their assumptions about role comparisons specific to this field and provide specific examples of how their skills and experiences align with the unique aspects of this position.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing promotional materials for community events to raise awareness of LDS' mission and services
- Creating engaging online content for LDS' website, ensuring it aligns with neuroaffirming practices and is user-friendly
- Managing the testimonial database and integrating testimonials into communication materials such as newsletters, social media, and grant applications
- Collaborating with program staff to convert existing workshop materials into engaging and accessible online courses, ensuring they align with neuroaffirming practices and are user-friendly
Assumption: Applicants should explicitly state their assumptions about sample projects specific to this role and provide specific examples of their relevant skills and experiences.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30-60-90 days?
- How does this role fit into the organization's long-term strategic plans?
- What are the most important qualities for success in this role?
- How does LDS support the professional development of its employees?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the communications team, and how can this role help address them?
- How does LDS ensure that its services are accessible and inclusive to individuals from diverse backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses?
- What opportunities are there for growth and advancement within the organization for an employee in this role?
- How does LDS measure the success of its programs and services, and how can this role contribute to their evaluation and improvement?
Assumption: Applicants should explicitly state their assumptions about interview questions relevant to this specific position and provide thoughtful, tailored responses that demonstrate their understanding and engagement with the role.
📝 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
1. Submit your application through the [Application URL](https://freshteam.com/jobs/DjtfXs70ZgPj/communications-officer-youth-opportunity) provided in the job listing.
2. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role, emphasizing your understanding of LDS' mission and the specific needs of individuals with learning differences.
3. Prepare examples of your communication skills, such as writing samples or presentations, to bring to the interview.
4. Research LDS' programs and services to ask informed questions during the interview.
5. Follow up with the hiring manager after your interview to reiterate your interest in the role and address any additional questions or concerns.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
