Public Involvement Specialist - Environmental Services (Multiple Locations)

Burns & McDonnell; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm located in Columbus, Ohio is seeking a Staff Public Involvement Specialist. This role requires extensive communication and outreach services for large-scale projects. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree with 4 years of strategic communication experience or a Master's with 3 years. Responsibilities include public relations activities, strategic outreach plan development, and supporting client engagement. The position demands strong media-relations skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Qualifications

• 4 years of strategic communication experience required, or 3 years with a Master's.
• Experience with engineering or construction projects is a plus.
• Electric or gas utility-focused experience preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills essential.

Responsibilities

• Perform public involvement and public relations for capital projects.
• Develop public involvement strategy and coordinate event logistics.
• Implement outreach plans including public meetings and surveys.
• Support established public outreach goals and develop project publications.

Skills

Communication skills

Media-relations

Proposal writing

Social media content development

Analytical and problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree in communications or related field

Master's Degree in related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Description

The Staff Public Involvement Specialist will perform a wide variety of communication and public outreach services for large scale permitting, planning and construction projects.

• Perform public involvement and public relations activities for clients' capital projects.
• Develop public involvement strategy, materials and coordinate event logistics.
• Develop and implement strategic outreach plans and processes. Elements of these plans may include public meetings, information sessions, surveys, fact sheets, video production, special events, social media, training, material development and distribution (brochures, handouts, newsletters, mailers, web site content, and other materials to project audiences).
• Participate in outreach efforts; support established public outreach goals; participate in government briefings and project presentation to external groups; assist in the development of project publications, brochures, web information and materials; meet with clients to develop key messages and themes; develop and implement individual and local outreach plans.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Complies with all policies and standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing or a related field from an accredited program and 4 years strategic communication experience required, or Master's Degree in a related field and 3 years of strategic communication experience required.
• Experience related to communication on behalf of engineering or construction projects is a plus.
• Electric or gas utility-focused public involvement experience is preferred.
• Media-relations skills and previous experience working with media outlets to develop and deliver key messages and manage content (news, events, crises, etc.).
• Proposal writing experience strongly preferred.
• Experience in developing content for social media and news releases, as well as web design and coding (for both traditional and social media platforms) is a plus.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to understand and assist with the management of large-scale permitting and construction projects, and the necessary communications processes associated with such an effort.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Expert analytical and problem solving skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• High level of attention to detail with ability to perform quality reviews.

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