Community Engagement Strategist - Operations

 

RWE Clean Energy, LLC

Functional area: Regulation / Risk Management 

Remuneration: Exempt

 

The Community Engagement Strategist - Operations works with internal site operations teams, Communications, Government Relations, and other departments to execute community engagement strategies across RWE Clean Energy’s (RWECE) portfolio of operating wind, solar, and storage projects. This position will be responsible for enhancing and implementing community engagement plans; educating local stakeholders about the benefits of renewable energy; community relations training for RWECE Operations staff; supporting strategic donations, sponsorships, and volunteer opportunities at project sites; organizing RWECE participation in public meetings and events; building a database of renewable energy supporters; and representing RWECE in the local markets where the company has operating assets. This position reports to the Senior Director for Community Engagement.

 

Responsibilities:

• Support community engagement and outreach activities wherever RWECE has projects in operations
• Assist operations teams with maintaining a contact and relationship database for local stakeholders to track grievances and communications with external stakeholders, and build a supporter network using Salesforce CRM
• Collaborate with the onshore wind, solar, and storage operations team to plan and implement community engagement and public education strategies
• Plan and attend in-person community events, tours, presentations, and local fairs or festivals to educate stakeholders and increase RWE name recognition at operating projects
• Prepare and present training curriculum for Operations Teams to include:
  • How to identify and build relationships with strategic community organizations and groups as potential partners for donations, sponsorships, events, and community affairs
  • “Train the Trainer” seminars for hands-on community engagement, project tours, and classroom visits for existing projects
  • How to provide public presentations and education about renewable energy resources and the crucial role RWE plays
  • How to participate and facilitate RWE-supported programs such as KidWind
• Develop and execute strategies in collaboration with Site Operations teams to strengthen relationships with landowners and identify advocates
• Meet with project stakeholders, track community concerns and report on organized opposition around operations projects
• Manage and track events across the local communities and collaborate with the project team on appropriate participation
• Support the creation of stakeholder testimonials by identifying project sites with supportive stakeholders, planning logistics, and attending the filming of stakeholder interviews
• Write and submit articles about community engagement activities with detailed information to Internal and External Communications for publication
• Assist operations teams with strategic donations, sponsorships, and memberships to local organizations that help RWECE achieve its corporate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals while meeting the needs of local communities
• Work with Communications and other departments to create a quarterly newsletter or other regular communications for landowners and local stakeholders around RWECE projects 

 

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree strongly preferred
• Minimum 5 years of experience working in community organizing, outreach, strategic communications, or political campaigns, strongly preferred
• Knowledge of the structure and function of US, state, regional, and local government including experience with renewable energy permitting and regulatory issues is preferred
• Experience working in renewable energy, rural communities, political organizing, environmental management, agriculture, or real estate development is a plus
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage customer relationships
• Demonstrated desire to learn about the Company and the renewables space
• Excellent proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) and Teams
• Strong leadership and communication, and ability to meet deadlines
• Strong organization skills and ability to coordinate multiple tasks and deliverables
• Ability to multi-task, while working independently and as part of a team
• Motivated self-starter, goal-oriented, and strong problem-solving abilities
• Proven ability to empathize, build relationships, and effectively communicate with people from a diverse set of backgrounds
• Responds well to direction, is easy to challenge and develop, and is coachable
• Detail-oriented with strong business acumen, and a sound understanding of busines