Community Relations Specialist

Eversource Energy•Danielson, CT

3d•$97,990 - $108,880•Hybrid

About The Position

Under general supervision, the Community Relations Specialist develops and maintains favorable relationships with surrounding communities. The role coordinates outreach and goodwill programs, shares information with the community, solicits stakeholder feedback, and may represent Eversource at community gatherings and forums. It serves as a point of contact for government officials, economic development agencies, business leaders, and nonprofit and community organizations, while conveying community perspectives internally to support business objectives and favorable municipal and community support. The position supports regional, state, and local economic development through active engagement with the business community and public-private partnerships. It also supports community and municipal outreach, emergency preparedness and response, strategic corporate giving, employee engagement and volunteerism, and business membership activities. The role is hybrid-eligible subject to business needs and policy: the current guideline is at least three office days weekly, including Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with the third day determined with the supervisor. Employees must be able to work up to five days in the office when needed or if policy changes.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public/Government Administration, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
At least three years of experience in community/customer care or government relations.
Experience preparing and delivering presentations.
Valid motor vehicle license.
Good understanding of municipal, state, and regional government and 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 such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, company outage management systems, and virtual meeting software.
Ability to use social media, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, to support and promote company initiatives.
Good interpersonal, written and verbal communication, collaborative, and organizational skills.
Ability to handle confidential information with integrity and work effectively in sensitive political environments.
Ability to coordinate and implement initiatives, communicate with management and government officials, and work under pressure to meet deadlines.
Availability for emergency storm assignments, travel between Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire as necessary, and extended hours during emergency preparedness and significant events.
Night and weekend availability for emergency response responsibilities; evening work for public hearings, municipal meetings, business association meetings, and company events.
Comfort leveraging mobile technologies to work remotely as needed.
Ability to communicate governmental, regulatory, and technical issues in public and political forums and address emergent issues, public concerns, and customer problems.

Nice To Haves

Five years of experience in community/customer care or government relations is preferred.

Responsibilities

Implement strategies for community and municipal outreach and relationship development, emergency preparedness and response, economic development, corporate giving, employee engagement, volunteerism, and business membership activities.
Identify and support initiatives, proposals, concerns, and issues related to the company’s reputation, including project timing and coordination and state and local economic development initiatives.
Share municipal and community knowledge with internal partners to help advance projects while balancing company and community needs.
Participate in project meetings, municipal briefings, and meetings of town and city councils, boards, commissions, committees, and other municipal organizations.
Work with community, business, and civic organizations to build positive relationships and partnerships.
Identify corporate giving opportunities; solicit, screen, and recommend grant awards that build sustainable communities, raise local visibility, and support company priorities.
Communicate with municipal leaders about siting, permitting, construction, and maintenance activities involving transmission, distribution, vegetation, and reliability projects.
Monitor and analyze local government policy changes, elections, ordinances, and board and council activities; coordinate with Eversource colleagues to support timely awareness and participation.
Advise internal business partners about local political activities, sensitivities, and emerging issues that may affect state and federal government relations.
Build relationships with relevant community, private, and nonprofit agencies and organizations.
Develop, maintain, and implement Community Liaison Plans to support emergency preparedness before and after minor or major events.
Prepare and deliver presentations and in-depth reports to internal and external partners.
Attend public hearings, municipal meetings, business association meetings, and company-sponsored events, including evening events.
Respond to emergency assignments as required, including work outside normal responsibilities, hours, or location.