Community Relations Specialist

Eversource Energy•Yarmouth, MA

1d•Hybrid

About The 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.

Requirements

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 the ability to work with confidential information with integrity.
Good written and verbal communication skills to present and share information with internal and external audiences.
Good collaborative skills and the ability to work effectively in sensitive, political environments.
Good organizational skills to analyze, coordinate, and implement initiatives.
Diplomacy and the ability to get along well with all levels of management and government officials.
Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Public/Government Administration or related discipline or equivalent experience.
Three (3) or more years of experience in community/customer care or government relations
Requires experience preparing and delivering presentations.
Valid motor vehicle license is required.

Nice To Haves

five years preferred

Responsibilities

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.