Project Outreach Specialist (Assc-Sr)

American Electric Power•Corpus Christi, TX

10d

About The Position

This position supports field customer relations and public communications and outreach for AEP Transmission projects. The specialist helps identify, develop, and coordinate outreach strategies that support the goals, policies, initiatives, and day-to-day activities of AEP Transmission and its affiliates, including joint ventures. As a member of the project siting team, the specialist interacts with or supports engagement with external audiences, including individual customers and local officials. The role meets with affected or potentially affected customers to identify concerns, resolve issues, and bring local knowledge to the transmission siting process. The position works with landowners and external affairs teams to share information about proposed transmission projects, gather routing information, and address issues before and during the transmission line routing process. It provides field support to siting, engineering, right-of-way, and project management teams, coordinating resources and fostering two-way communication among stakeholders and project teams so that projects can be executed on schedule and successfully sited. This posting covers multiple grade levels, with increased education, skill, or experience requirements at higher levels. Travel is expected, including periodic overnight travel to facilities and project sites. The role may require extended hours to meet assigned requirements and schedules. The physical demand level is sedentary, with hiking up to one mile required 10% of the time.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in journalism, business, marketing, customer service, advertising, communications, public relations, public affairs, or a related field.
At least two years of experience in utilities, corporate communications, customer service, marketing, media relations, journalism, or a related field.
Excellent written and public-speaking skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills and strong business knowledge.
Ability to handle multiple projects and assignments.
Ability to travel; the posting states travel is expected 25–50% of the time and also gives an estimate of 20–30% of travel time.
Periodic overnight travel to facilities and project sites is required.
May need to work extended hours to meet requirements and schedules.
Ability to hike one mile 10% of the time.

Responsibilities

Work directly with affected or potentially affected landowners to obtain useful project-routing information and resolve issues before and during transmission line routing.
Support external affairs teams in educating landowners, thought leaders, elected officials, and the public about proposed transmission projects.
Assist with customer outreach strategies that improve two-way communication and the success of line routing.
Provide field support to transmission siting, line engineering, right-of-way, and project management teams to help ensure projects are executed on time.
Work with Project Management, Line and Station Engineering, Right of Way, Corporate Communications, and External Affairs to foster communication between stakeholders and the project team.
Coordinate deployment of resources.
Meet with affected or potentially affected customers to surface concerns, solve problems, and provide local insight to the siting process.