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Overview The City of Markham is consistently ranked among Canadas top municipal employers. In 2026, the City received its sixth consecutive Canadas Best Employers recognition from Forbes and Statista Inc., placing third among municipalities and 15th overall in Government Services. An award winning municipality, Markham is recognized for its leadership in sustainability, innovative urban planning, and strong fiscal management. Serving a diverse and growing community of more than 370,000 residents, Markham combines rich heritage with a vibrant local economy and offers employees the opportunity to contribute to meaningful, impactful work that helps strengthen the community we serve. The City of Markham is currently accepting applications for the temporary full time Elections Community Engagement Specialist, 7 months contract position until November 30th, 2026, in the Legislative Services Department (Elections Markham), Corporate Services Commission. To apply for this position, please submit your resume and cover letter online by February 9, 2026 . Who We Are Elections Markham is the independent non-partisan division of the City of Markham responsible for administering elections, by-elections, and referenda for Markhams City Council and local school boards. A leader in multi-platform voting, Markham was Canadas first city to vote online and maintains one of North Americas largest and longest-running online voting programs today, now spanning 6 consecutive elections since 2003. Join Our Team Join the elections team at the City of Markham Canadas most diverse city that is at the centre of the countrys second largest tech cluster. We are seeking a dynamic, highly creative, energetic and digitally-savvy team member to coordinate and deliver on Markhams multi-lingual communications and community engagement strategy. We are setting the pace for innovation in online elections, developing convenient and inclusive solutions, and removing barriers to access for eligible voters in our community. If you have a passion for public service and the democratic process, then this opportunity is for you! What You Will Do As a member of Elections Markham and reporting to the Manager, Elections and Business Transformation, you will: Develop Elections Markhams communications and community engagement strategy Provide strategic communications planning, advice and guidance for Elections Markham leadership Lead integrated and multi-language marketing and communications campaigns through all event phases Identify and build relationships with community organizations serving groups that include Indigenous communities, seniors/older adults, youth/students, new Canadians, new residents, persons with disabilities, voters experiencing homelessness, and other underserved communities Prepare community engagement packages, presentations, letters, community organization contact lists and electronic newsletters Coordinate and deliver presentations and outreach activities for key stakeholder groups including candidates, political advertisers, and media Assist in the planning and delivery of meetings, events, and other outreach campaign activations Coordinate social media content calendar with engaging, relevant, and educational content, and monitor the Citys social media accounts Assist with the creation of dynamic print and digital marketing and communications materials Manage outreach email inbox and incoming social media inquiries Gather background information, statistics and other metrics to report on public engagement campaign effectiveness and opportunities Ensure team and corporate messaging is compliant with core legislative requirements under Ontarios Municipal Elections Act and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, as well as the Citys strategic direction Monitor project timelines and expenditures against approved plans and budgets What You Will Need A post-secondary degree in marketing, communications, public affairs, or a similar field of study or equivalent experience A minimum of 4 years of experience working in a corporate communications, marketing, public affairs or agency environment Advanced written and verbal communications skills Current and advanced knowledge of social media management platforms and web content management systems Experience and working knowledge of a variety of software programs such as MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint and Adobe In Design, Photoshop, Illustrator and Acrobat Demonstrated experience with social media, digital media production, photography and video Attention to detail and experience working on high-profile initiatives that require tact, agility, confidentiality and diplomacy Ability to effectively deal with emerging and complex issues in a fast-paced environment Demonstrated ability to build rapport, influence others, establish trust and confidence, and work collaboratively with diverse teams Expertise in developing and delivering digital content, social media marketing, speech writing and other communications supports Specialized knowledge in the theories and techniques of communications, marketing, public relations, community engagement, public opinion research (e.g. journalism, public and media relations), strategic communications planning, delivery and evaluation Strong understanding of Ontarios Accessibility of Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) and accessible and inclusive communications Ability to take complex information from multiple sources and present it in understandable format and context A passion for analyzing data and making data-driven decisions to meet and exceed business goals Ability to work evenings and some weekends to attend meetings, special events and activities A valid G drivers license, in good standing, with access to a reliable vehicle for corporate use Legally entitled to work in Canada NICE-TO-HAVES Previous experience working in elections or government operations Ability to speak multiple languages This position will be eligible for some hybrid work based on operational needs and timing in the event calendar. Core Behaviours Service Excellence: Meets or exceeds service standards when interacting with customers in the community and in the organization. Change & Innovation: Responds positively and professionally to change and helps others through change. Teamwork & Relationship Building: Interacts with others in an inclusive, collaborative and respectful way that creates effective working relationships. Communication: Communicates in a clear, professional and respectful way; demonstrates active listening. Accountable & Results Oriented: Demonstrates ethical behaviour and accountability, aligns with City values, and abides by relevant policies and legislation. Management & Leadership: Demonstrates self-management, professionalism and engagement; leads by example. The City of Markham is committed to inclusive, accessible, and barrier free employment practices and to creating a workplace that reflects and supports the diversity of the community we serve. Please let us know if you require an accommodation and we will work with you to ensure a barrier free hiring process. AI Disclosure: At the City of Markham, we value transparency and fairness in recruitment. While our system (ADP Workforce Now) includes AI-powered features, we do not use AI to screen, assess, or select applicants. All evaluations are conducted by people. Vacancy: Replacement Vacancy #J-18808-Ljbffr