Community Relations Specialist

Eversource Energy•Tilton, NH

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

This role, based out of the Tilton and Newport work centers, focuses on building and maintaining strong relationships with local municipalities, business leaders, and key stakeholders. The ideal candidate brings demonstrated experience in community relations and economic development, including collaboration with municipal and state economic development departments and business organizations across the state of New Hampshire. This position plays a critical role in advancing the economic vitality of the communities and customers we serve by supporting regional, state, and local economic development initiatives; maintaining active engagement with the business community; and cultivating effective public- and private-sector partnerships. The role will also maintain a focus on day-to-day relationships with municipal leaders on all Eversource business needs in the central region of New Hampshire, and the company’s emphasis on emergency preparedness for our communities. 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. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Requirements

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– five years preferred.
Requires experience preparing and delivering presentations.
Valid motor vehicle license is required.
Must be available to work emergency storm assignment as required.
Must be available to travel between MA/CT/NH as necessary.
Extended work hours during emergency preparedness and significant events.
Emergency response responsibilities require night and weekend availability.
Evening work is expected to attend public hearings, town and city council meetings, business association meetings and company sponsored events.
Employee safety is paramount at Eversource. All Associates are provided with company-issued personal protective safety gear.
Expected to meet deadlines and work under pressure.
Must be comfortable leveraging mobile technologies to work remotely as needed.
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.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting regional, state, and local economic development initiatives 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.
Communicates governmental, regulatory and technical issues with public officials in public and political forums to effectively address emergent issues, public concerns and resolve customer problems.
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.
Collaboration with all corporate organizations, including senior leadership, Corporate Communications, Governmental Affairs, Media Relations, Electric and Gas Operation and Transmission and Regulatory Affairs.