Proj Outreach Specialist

American Electric Power•Tulsa, OK

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Project Outreach Specialist is the primary field customer relations and communications resource for public interaction and outreach on AEP Transmission projects. The role develops and coordinates outreach strategies in support of AEP Transmission and its affiliates, including joint ventures, and is a key member of the project siting team. It interacts with or supports engagement with external audiences, including individual customers and local officials, and brings local knowledge and insight into the siting process. The position works directly with affected or potentially affected landowners to gather project routing information, surface and resolve issues, and support public education and two-way communications. It provides field support to transmission siting, engineering, right-of-way, and project management teams to help ensure projects are executed on schedule. The role coordinates with project management, engineering, right of way, corporate communications, and external affairs, and may require extended hours and periodic overnight travel to facilities and projects. Travel accounts for approximately 20–30% of the position.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in journalism, business, marketing, customer service, advertising, communications, public relations, public affairs, or a related field.
Minimum four years of experience in utilities, corporate communications, customer service, marketing, media relations, journalism, or a related field for the Senior level.
Minimum six years of experience in utilities, corporate communications, customer service, marketing, media relations, journalism, or a related field for the Principal level.
Minimum eight years of experience in utilities, corporate communications, customer service, marketing, media relations, journalism, or a related field for the Staff level.
Excellent written and public speaking skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills and strong business knowledge.
Ability to handle multiple projects and assignments.
Ability to hike one mile; this is required 10% of the time.
Periodic overnight travel to facilities and projects is required; travel is approximately 20–30% of the position.

Responsibilities

Work directly with affected or potentially affected landowners to gain beneficial project routing information and resolve issues before and during transmission line routing.
Support external affairs teams and efforts to educate landowners, thought leaders, elected officials, and the public about proposed transmission projects.
Assist with customer outreach strategies that improve two-way communications and transmission line routing success.
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 two-way communication between stakeholders and the project team.
Coordinate deployment of resources.
Meet with affected or potentially affected customers to surface issues, solve problems, and bring local knowledge and insight to the siting process.