Associate Specialist, Community Relations - Eversource

Role and Scope of Position:
Under direct supervision, responsible for assisting with developing and maintaining favorable relationships with the surrounding community. Assist with implementing and coordinating programs to promote good will by disseminating information to the community and soliciting feedback from stakeholders. Participate in the organization's charitable giving programs as they affect community initiatives. May work with senior level consultants to represent Eversource at community gatherings or forums.

Essential Functions: 

• Assists with implementing Community Relations strategies for community and municipal outreach and relationship development; emergency preparedness and response; local economic development; corporate giving; and employee engagement, volunteerism, and business membership activities.
• May assist with representing Eversource to constituents, leaders and communities by helping to support initiatives, proposals, concerns or issues related to the company’s reputation.
• Assists with supporting various internal partners to move projects towards successful outcomes while balancing company and community needs during large and small-scale project meetings, municipal project briefings, and town/city council, board, commission, committee and other municipal organization meetings.  
• May participate with identifying corporate giving opportunities within assigned territory and at local levels.
• Facilitates connections across internal departments and with external partners.
• Ensures timely and effective communications with municipal leaders on siting, permitting, construction and maintenance activities which may involve transmission, distribution, vegetation and reliability projects.   
• Assists with monitoring and analyzing local government policy changes, elections, city and town ordinances, board, and council activities and serves as liaison with Eversource colleagues to ensure timely awareness and participation.
• Proactively builds relationships with essential community, private and non-profit agencies and organizations.

Technical Knowledge/Skill/Education/Licenses/Certifications:

Technical Knowledge/Skill: 

• Knowledge of municipal, state and regional government as well as the regulatory process. 
• Knowledge of utility business, regulatory, and energy supply issues. 
• Knowledge of crisis communication and media relations.
• Ability to use PC desktop applications (e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, company outage management systems, Skype). Ability to use social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) to support and promote company initiatives.
• Ability to produce and deliver reports and presentations to internal and external partners.
• Interpersonal skills and the ability to work with confidential information with integrity. 
• Written and verbal communication skills necessary to present and share information with internal and external audiences. 
• Collaborative skills and the ability to work effectively in political environments.
• Ability to interact effectively with customers, environmental groups and community-based organizations
• Ability to get along well with all levels of management and government officials. 

Education:    

• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Public/Government Administration, or related discipline or equivalent experience.  – Law, Public Affairs, Business Administration, Communications       

Experience:  

• Zero (0) to three (3) years’ experience in community relations, customer care or government relations.  Requires experience preparing and delivering presentations.                        

Licenses & Certifications:  

• Valid motor vehicle license is required.

Working Conditions:

• Must be available to work emergency storm assignment as required.
• Must be available to travel between MA/CT/NH as necessary.
• Extended work hours during emergency preparedness and significant events.
• On-call media and emergency response responsibilities require night and weekend availability.
• Evening work is expected to attend public hearings, town and city council meetings, business association meetings and company sponsored events.
• Frequent travel within assigned territory and to utility facilities and communities within Eversource Service Area (CT, MA and NH).   A safe, reliable vehicle is required. Frequent motor vehicle travel during the day and night in all weather conditions.
• Expected to meet deadlines and work under pressure.
• Though expected to work independently, extremely supportive, team-based environment.
• Must be comfortable leveraging mobile technologies to work remotely as needed.

Mental Aspects:

• Communicates governmental, regulatory and technical issues with public officials in public and political forums to effectively address emergent issues, public concerns and resolve customer problems.  
• General understanding of utility operations, electric distribution and transmission systems, customer care, emergency preparedness, energy efficiency, energy markets, rates and regulations. and company policies and procedures.
• Collaboration with all corporate organizations, including Corporate Communications, Governmental Affairs, Media Relations, Electric and Gas Operation and Transmission; Regulatory Affairs. 

Eversource Energy offers a competitive total rewards program. The annual salary range for this position is $65,000 to $76,000/year, plus incentive. Salary is commensurate with your experience. Please check our career site for an overview of our benefits.

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Worker Type:

Regular

Number of Openings:

1

EEO Statement

Eversource Energy is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability status, or protected veteran status.

VEVRRA Federal Contractor

Emergency Response:

Responding to emergency situations to meet customers’ needs is part of every employee’s role. If employed, you will be given an Emergency Restoration assignment.  This means you may be called to assist during an emergency outside of your normal responsibilities, work hours and location.