Community Relations Specialist

Eversource Energy • East Hampton, CT

2d • $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. The specialist serves as a point of contact for government officials, economic development agencies, business leaders, and nonprofit and community organizations, while informing the company about community perspectives and supporting its business objectives and standing with municipalities and communities.

The position supports community and customer economic growth through regional, state, and local economic development initiatives, active engagement with the business community, and public-private partnerships. Work includes community and municipal outreach, emergency preparedness and response, strategic corporate giving, employee engagement and volunteerism, and business membership activities. The role also supports internal partners with local knowledge, communicates with municipal leaders about utility projects, monitors local government activity, and helps maintain Community Liaison Plans for emergency preparedness.

The position follows a hybrid work policy for eligible roles: employees work at least three days in the office, including Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with the third day set with the supervisor. Employees must be able to work up to five days in the office when needed or if policy changes. Travel among Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire may be necessary. The role includes evening meetings and extended hours during emergencies and significant events, as well as night and weekend availability for emergency response. A valid motor vehicle license is required. Employees are provided company-issued personal protective safety gear.

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 regulatory processes.
• Knowledge of utility business, regulatory, and energy supply issues.
• Knowledge of crisis communication and media relations.
• Ability to use PC desktop applications, including 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.
• Ability to produce and deliver in-depth reports and presentations to internal and external partners.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to handle confidential information with integrity.
• Good written and verbal communication skills for sharing information with internal and external audiences.
• Collaborative skills and ability to work effectively in sensitive, political environments.
• Organizational skills to analyze, coordinate, and implement initiatives.
• Diplomacy and ability to work well with all levels of management and government officials.
• Availability for emergency storm assignments, including night and weekend availability.
• Ability to travel between Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire as necessary.
• Ability to work extended hours during emergency preparedness and significant events, and evenings for public, business, and company events.
• Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure.
• Comfort with using mobile technologies to work remotely as needed.
• 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.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Work with the Community Relations Team to implement community and municipal outreach and relationship-development strategies, emergency preparedness and response, 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 economic development initiatives with municipalities.
• Share municipal and community knowledge with internal partners to help projects succeed while balancing company and community needs at project meetings, municipal briefings, and town or city meetings.
• Work with community, business, and civic organizations to build positive relationships and partnerships.
• Identify corporate giving opportunities, solicit and screen requests, and recommend grant awards that support sustainable communities, local visibility, and company priorities.
• Communicate in a timely and effective manner with municipal leaders about siting, permitting, construction, and maintenance activities involving transmission, distribution, vegetation, and reliability projects.
• Monitor local government policy changes, elections, ordinances, and board and council activities, and liaise with Eversource colleagues to support timely awareness and participation.
• Advise internal business partners about local political activity, sensitivities, and emerging issues that may affect state and federal government relations.
• Build relationships with essential community, private, and nonprofit agencies and organizations.
• Support emergency preparedness initiatives by developing, maintaining, and implementing Community Liaison Plans to optimize emergency preparedness before and after minor or major events.
• Attend public hearings, town and city council meetings, business association meetings, and company-sponsored events.
• Respond to emergency assignments outside normal responsibilities, working hours, or location when called upon.

Benefits

• Competitive total rewards program; details are available on the company careers site.
• Potential incentive eligibility.
• Company-issued personal protective safety gear.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level