Community Relations Specialist

About This Role

The Community Relations Specialist develops and maintains favorable relationships with communities by disseminating information and soliciting feedback. This role supports Eversource's initiatives by acting as a point of contact for government officials, business leaders, and community organizations, while also educating the company on community viewpoints.

Responsibilities

• Implement strategies for community and municipal outreach and relationship development, emergency preparedness and response, economic development, strategic corporate giving, and employee engagement.
• Identify and support initiatives, proposals, concerns, or issues related to the company’s reputation, including project timing and coordination with communities.
• Support internal partners by sharing municipal and community knowledge to achieve successful project outcomes, balancing company and community needs.
• Participate in building positive relationships and partnerships with community, business, and civic organizations.
• Identify corporate giving opportunities within assigned territory and at regional/statewide levels, making recommendations for grant awards.
• Ensure timely and effective communications with municipal leaders on siting, permitting, construction, and maintenance activities.
• Monitor and analyze local government policy changes, elections, ordinances, and serve as a liaison with Eversource colleagues for timely awareness and participation.
• Provide guidance to internal business partners on local political activities, sensitivities, and emergent issues impacting government relations.
• Proactively build relationships with essential community, private, and non-profit agencies and organizations.
• Support Eversource initiatives around Emergency Preparedness, including the development, maintenance, and implementation of Community Liaison Plans.

Requirements

• Good understanding 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, and virtual meeting software), and social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)
• Ability to produce and deliver in-depth reports and presentations
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work with confidential information with integrity
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Good collaborative skills and ability to work effectively in sensitive, political environments
• Good organizational skills to analyze, coordinate, and implement initiatives
• Diplomacy and ability to get along well with all levels of management and government officials
• Available to work emergency storm assignment as required
• Available to travel between MA/CT/NH as necessary
• Available for extended work hours during emergency preparedness and significant events
• Available for evening work to attend public hearings, town/city council meetings, business association meetings, and company sponsored events

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Public/Government Administration or related discipline or equivalent experience.
• Three (3) to five (5) years’ experience in community/customer care or government relations, with five years preferred. Requires experience preparing and delivering presentations.

Skills

* Required skills

Benefits