Community Relations Specialist

Eversource Energy; Springfield (MA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company dedicated to fostering strong community ties and enhancing economic development. This role focuses on building relationships with local stakeholders, implementing community outreach strategies, and supporting initiatives that align with business objectives. You'll engage with government officials, business leaders, and non-profit organizations to ensure the company is well-positioned within the community. If you have a passion for community engagement and strategic planning, this position offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

Qualifications

• Experience in community relations and public engagement.
• Strong understanding of local government processes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain relationships with community stakeholders.
• Coordinate programs to promote goodwill and solicit feedback.

Skills

Community Engagement

Relationship Management

Public Speaking

Strategic Planning

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Communications or related field

Master's Degree (preferred)

Job description

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.

Essential Functions:

1. Work 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.
2. Identify and support 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.
3. Support 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.
4. Participate in supporting the goals of the company by working with community, business, and civic organizations that will build positive relationships and partnerships.
5. Identify corporate giving opportunities within assigned territory and at regional and statewide levels. Solicit, screen, and make recommendations for grant awards to build strong, sustainable communities, increase local visibility and support company priorities.
6. Ensure timely and effective communications with municipal leaders on siting, permitting, construction and maintenance activities involving transmission, distribution, vegetation and reliability projects.
7. Monitor and analyze local government policy changes, elections, city and town ordinances, board, and council activities and serve as liaison with Eversource colleagues to ensure timely awareness and participation.
8. Provide guidance to internal business partners on local political activities, sensitivities and emergent issues that may impact state and federal government relations.
9. Proactively build relationships with essential community, private and non-profit agencies and organizations.
10. Support 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.