Project Outreach Specialist Senior

American Electric Power•New Albany, OH

1d•$72,380 - $106,354•Onsite

About The Position

This position serves as the primary field customer relations and communications resource for public interaction and outreach on AEP Transmission projects. The role is responsible for assisting in the identification, development, and coordination of overall outreach strategies to support the goals, philosophies, policies, initiatives, and day-to-day activities of AEP Transmission and its affiliates, including joint ventures. The Project Outreach Specialist Senior is a key member of the project siting team, interfacing with or supporting interaction with external audiences, including individual customers and local officials. Requirements include excellent written and public speaking skills, excellent interpersonal skills, and strong business knowledge. The ability to meet with affected or potentially affected customers to surface issues, solve problems, and bring local knowledge and insight to the siting process is essential.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in journalism, business, marketing, customer service, advertising, communications, public relations, public affairs, or related field.
Four years' experience in Utilities, Corporate Communications, Customer Service, Marketing, Media Relations, Journalism, or related field.
Ability to handle multiple projects and assignments.
Ability to hike one mile ten percent of the time.

Nice To Haves

May require extended hours to accomplish assigned tasks to meet requirements and schedules.
Some overnight travel to facilities and projects (field work) is required periodically.

Responsibilities

Works directly with affected or potentially affected landowners to gain beneficial project routing information and resolves issues before and during the transmission line routing process.
Represents AEP Transmission and projects to external affairs teams and educates the public (landowners, thought leaders, elected officials) about proposed transmission projects.
Determines and guides customer outreach strategies that improve two-way communications and line routing success at the project level.
Has the responsibility of directing outside consultants and resources in support of individual projects.
Provides field support to transmission siting, line engineering, right-of-way, and project management team to ensure projects are executed on time.
Works closely with Project Management, Line and Station Engineering, Right of Way, Corporate Communications, and External Affairs to foster two-way communications between key stakeholders and the project team to improve success in siting transmission projects.
Coordinates deployment of resources accordingly.