Project Outreach Specialist Senior

American Electric Power•Tulsa, OK

3d•$87,633 - $109,543•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 identifies, develops, and coordinates outreach strategies that support the goals, policies, initiatives, and day-to-day activities of AEP Transmission and its affiliates, including joint ventures. As a key member of the project siting team, the specialist engages external audiences, including individual customers and local officials, and meets with affected or potentially affected customers to surface issues, solve problems, and bring local knowledge to the siting process. The position represents AEP Transmission and its projects to external audiences, informs the public about proposed transmission projects, and coordinates with project teams and outside consultants. It provides field support to transmission siting, line engineering, right-of-way, and project management teams to help execute projects on schedule. Periodic overnight travel and field work are required, with travel accounting for approximately 20–30% of the position. The physical demand level is sedentary, with the ability to hike one mile for about 10% of the time.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in journalism, business, marketing, customer service, advertising, communications, public relations, public affairs, or a related field.
Four 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 hike one mile for 10% of the time.
Periodic overnight travel to facilities and projects is required; travel is approximately 20–30% of the time.
May require extended hours to meet assigned task requirements and schedules.

Responsibilities

Work directly with affected or potentially affected landowners to obtain useful project routing information and resolve issues before and during transmission line routing.
Represent AEP Transmission and its projects to external affairs teams and educate landowners, thought leaders, and elected officials about proposed transmission projects.
Determine and guide customer outreach strategies that improve two-way communications and project-level line routing success.
Direct outside consultants and resources supporting individual projects.
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 communications between stakeholders and project teams.
Coordinate deployment of resources to support project outreach and siting.