Community Relations Specialist

Eversource Energy; East Hampton (CT); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Eversource Energy seeks a Community Relations professional to develop and maintain favorable community ties, coordinate information sharing, and support regional economic development initiatives. You will engage with government officials, business leaders, and non-profit groups to align local priorities with company objectives.

The role involves representing Eversource at forums, educating stakeholders on municipal processes, and driving partnerships that enhance reliability and community growth

Qualifications

• Good understanding of municipal, state and regional government and regulatory processes.
• Ability to produce and deliver in-depth reports and presentations to partners.
• Experience with crisis communication and media relations.
• Proficiency with common PC software and virtual meeting tools.

Responsibilities

• Works with Community Relations to implement outreach and relationship development.
• Supports municipal and community initiatives, permitting, and siting coordination.
• Communicates with municipal leaders on projects and timing for local activities.
• Builds partnerships with community, business, and non-profit organizations.
• Keeps internal partners informed about local government policy changes.

Skills

Municipal government

Regulatory knowledge

Crisis communication

Interpersonal skills

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Outage management systems

Video conferencing

Job description

Eversource will not offer immigration-related sponsorship for this position (e.g., H-1B, O-1, J-1, TN, E-3, etc.). Applicants requiring visa sponsorship to start employment with Eversource will not be considered.

Role and Scope of Position:

Under general supervision, responsible for developing and maintaining favorable relationships with the surrounding community. Implement and coordinate programs to promote good will by disseminating information to the community and soliciting feedback from stakeholders. May represent Eversource at community gatherings or forums. Support ES initiatives, priorities, and responses by serving as a point of contact for various government officials, economic development agencies, business leaders and non-profit and community organizations. Educate the company on community viewpoints to help accomplish business objectives, and ensure the company is best positioned to receive favorable support from our municipalities and communities. Support the economic growth of the communities and customers we serve through economic development initiatives engineered at the regional, state and local levels, regular and active engagement with the business community and by building public and private partnerships.

HYBRID WORK POLICY

Eversource supports work-life balance by offering hybrid schedules for certain roles. Eligibility is based on job responsibilities, operational needs, nature of work and team dynamics. Current guidelines require employees to work at least three days in the office, including Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with the third day set by the employee and supervisor based on department needs. These guidelines apply to roles approved for remote work and are subject to change, based on managerial discretion and work performance. All applicants must be able to work up to five days in the office if needed (for example: emergencies, training, or other business needs) or should the policy change.

Essential Functions:

• Works with the Community Relations Team to implement strategies for community and municipal outreach and relationship development; emergency preparedness and response; local and regional economic development; strategic corporate giving; and employee engagement, volunteerism, and business membership activities.
• Identifies and supports initiatives, proposals, concerns or issues related to the company's reputation. This includes working with our communities on project timing and coordination as well as partnering with municipalities to promote state and local economic development initiatives.
• Supports various internal partners by sharing municipal and community knowledge to move projects towards successful outcomes while balancing company and community needs during small-scale project meetings, municipal project briefings, and town/city council, board, commission, committee and other municipal organization meetings.
• Participates with supporting the goals of the company by working with community, business, and civic organizations that will build positive relationships and partnerships.
• Identifies corporate giving opportunities within assigned territory and at regional and statewide levels. Solicits, screens and makes recommendations for grant awards to build strong, sustainable communities, increase local visibility and support company priorities.
• Ensures timely and effective communications with municipal leaders on siting, permitting, construction and maintenance activities involving transmission, distribution, vegetation and reliability projects.
• Monitors and analyzes local government policy changes, elections, city and town ordinances, board, and council activities and serves as liaison with Eversource colleagues to ensure timely awareness and participation.
• Provides guidance to internal business partners on local political activities, sensitivities and emergent issues that may impact state and federal government relations.
• Proactively builds relationships with essential community, private and non-profit agencies and organizations.
• Supports Eversource initiatives around Emergency Preparedness, specifically the development, maintenance, and implementation of the comprehensive Community Liaison Plans to optimize Eversource's emergency preparedness efforts up to and following minor/major events.

Technical Knowledge/Skill/Education/Licenses/Certifications:

Technical Knowledge/Skill:

Good understanding of municipal, state, and regional government as well as the regulatory process. Knowledge of utility business, regulatory, and energy supply issues. Knowledge of crisis communication and media relations. Ability to use PC desktop applications (e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, company outage management systems, and virtual meeting software). Ability to use social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) to support and promote company initiatives. Ability to produce and deliver in-depth reports and presentations to internal and external partners. Good interpersonal skills and