Community Relations Specialist

Eversource Energy•East Hampton, CT

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under general supervision, the Community Relations Specialist develops and maintains favorable relationships with surrounding communities. The role implements and coordinates programs to share information with the community, solicit stakeholder feedback, and promote goodwill. The specialist may represent Eversource at community gatherings and forums and serves as a point of contact for government officials, economic development agencies, business leaders, and nonprofit and community organizations. The position helps the company understand community viewpoints and supports economic growth through regional, state, and local initiatives, engagement with the business community, and public-private partnerships. The role works with the Community Relations Team on municipal and community outreach, emergency preparedness and response, economic development, corporate giving, employee engagement, volunteerism, and business membership activities. It supports internal partners by providing community and municipal knowledge, coordinating communications about utility projects, monitoring local government activity, and building relationships across assigned communities. The position also supports the development, maintenance, and implementation of Community Liaison Plans for emergency preparedness. This is a hybrid-eligible position under Eversource’s current guidelines, which require at least three days in the office, including Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Employees must be able to work up to five days in the office when needed or if the policy changes. The position involves travel between Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire as necessary, evening work, extended hours during emergencies or significant events, and night and weekend availability for emergency response. A valid motor vehicle license is required. Salary is commensurate with experience, with an annual range of $97,990 to $108,880 and eligibility for a potential incentive. Eversource does not offer immigration-related sponsorship for this position.

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, verbal, collaborative, organizational, and presentation skills.
Ability to handle confidential information with integrity and work effectively in sensitive, political environments.
Diplomacy and ability to work well with all levels of management and government officials.
Availability for emergency storm assignments, travel between Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire as necessary, extended work hours during emergency preparedness and significant events, and evening work for public hearings, municipal meetings, business association meetings, and company events.
Night and weekend availability for emergency response responsibilities.
Ability to meet deadlines, work under pressure, and use mobile technologies to work remotely as needed.
General understanding of utility operations, electric distribution and transmission systems, customer care, emergency preparedness, energy efficiency, energy markets, rates and regulations, and company policies and procedures.
Ability to communicate governmental, regulatory, and technical issues with public officials in public and political forums to address emerging 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, local and regional economic development, strategic 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 with communities and municipalities.
Share municipal and community knowledge with internal partners to help projects succeed while balancing company and community needs.
Participate in small-scale project meetings, municipal project 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 and solicit, screen, and recommend grant awards that build sustainable communities, increase 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; act as a liaison to ensure Eversource colleagues are informed and able to participate in a timely manner.
Advise internal business partners on local political activities, sensitivities, and emerging issues that may affect state and federal government relations.
Proactively build relationships with 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.
Represent Eversource at community gatherings or forums as needed.
Prepare and deliver presentations and in-depth reports to internal and external partners.
Respond to emergency situations, including work outside normal responsibilities, hours, and location when assigned.