Wildfire Community and Customer Engagement Specialist

Idaho Power Company•Boise, ID

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Idaho Power is looking for a Wildfire Community and Customer Engagement Specialist to join their Customer Operations team. This position will lead the development, execution, and improvement of Idaho Power’s Wildfire Mitigation Plan (WMP) Community and Customer Engagement Strategy. The role involves identifying and engaging in year-round opportunities to connect the WMP efforts with the communities served, ensuring company preparedness plans reflect the needs of all customers, including Spanish-speaking customers, seniors, and customers with disabilities. This includes conducting public education campaigns, workshops, and training sessions on wildfire mitigation and Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) preparedness. The specialist will provide technical expertise and guidance to employees, customers, community organizations, and public safety partners. The role also coordinates with internal teams and external partners on emergency planning, mitigation processes, community resource center needs, and customer programs during PSPS or extended outage events. The position supports major events like PSPS and load shed, providing communications coordination, event-time support, and post-event reporting. During PSPS and load shed events, this role serves as a backup to the Event Manager, monitoring event management and communication activities. It also supports event preparedness through coordinating annual exercises and helps coordinate after-action reports for internal learning and external reporting. The role may represent the company in discussions with executives and regulatory stakeholders.

Requirements

Knowledge of common software programs such as Internet Explorer, Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Strong project management skills, managing all facets of large, complex projects.
Interpersonal communication skills.
Clear and concise writing skills.
Organization skills.
Customer service skills.
In-depth data analysis and reporting knowledge, including the ability to present program information effectively to internal and external audiences.
Program planning and development skills.
Product marketing campaigns and tactics knowledge.
Issue resolution skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects.
Ability to create and implement complex solutions for wildfire mitigation.
Ability to analyze root causes and recommend practical and effective solutions.
Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
Ability to prepare written and oral reports.
Ability to work effectively with a diverse group of people.
Ability to work independently/self-starter.
Bachelor's degree OR Equivalent combination of education and experience.
5 years of experience in utility operations, wildfire mitigation projects, or program management.
Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record based on driving requirements for the position.
Working at a desk/computer for extended periods of time.
Use of office equipment, fine motor skills including typing on the computer, dialing phones, filing paper, and working in close proximity to other people.
Occasional lifts of no more than 10 lbs.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of wildfire hazards, risks, and vulnerabilities.
Knowledge of outreach and engagement strategy.
Knowledge of wildfire mitigation program planning and development.
Skills in identifying new and innovative wildfire mitigation engagement strategies.
Ability to comprehend technical issues and opportunities.
Ability to negotiate complex issues.
Ability to analyze data to produce key performance indicators.
Bachelor’s degree in forestry, business, communications, or public administration.
Wildfire risk mitigation activity implementation experience.
Outreach, engagement, and communications experience.
Management of small to medium scale projects.
Two years of experience, course work in public relations and speech/communication, or an equivalent combination of appropriate training that provides the desired knowledge, skills and abilities.

Responsibilities

Lead the development, execution, and continuous improvement of the Wildfire Mitigation Plan (WMP) Community and Customer Engagement Strategy.
Identify and engage in year-round opportunities to connect WMP efforts with communities.
Ensure company preparedness plans reflect the needs of all customers, including unique populations.
Conduct public education campaigns, workshops, and training sessions on wildfire mitigation and PSPS preparedness.
Provide technical expertise and guidance to employees, customers, community organizations, and public safety partners.
Coordinate with internal Idaho Power Regional and Wildfire Teams and external public safety partners.
Identify opportunities for collaborative engagement in external emergency planning and mitigation processes.
Identify and establish community resource center needs.
Develop customer programs and offerings to support customers during PSPS or extended outage events.
Support major events, including PSPS and load shed, by providing communications coordination, event-time support, and post-event reporting.
Serve as a backup to the Event Manager during PSPS and load shed events, monitoring event management and communication activities.
Act as a quality-control and coordination resource during active events.
Support event preparedness and readiness, including coordinating annual tabletop and functional exercises.
Coordinate the development of after-action reports following events, emphasizing accuracy and factual documentation.
Represent the company in after-action discussions or reporting with executives and regulatory stakeholders, as appropriate.