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, Government Relations, Communications,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 around project sites; and representing RWECE in the local markets where the company has operating assets. This position reports to the Senior Director for Community Engagement.

Role 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 Development and Repower teams to identify priority sites for planning and implementing 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 RWECE name recognition at operating projects
• Prepare and present training curriculum for Operations Teams to include:
  • How to identify and build relationships with community organizations and groups as potential partners for donations, sponsorships, events, and community education
  • “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, job opportunities and the important role RWECE plays in local communities
  • How to participate and facilitate RWECE supported programs such as KidWind
• Develop and execute strategies in collaboration with Site Operations teams to strengthen relationships with landowners and identify renewable energy advocates
• Meet with project stakeholders, track community concerns and report on organized opposition around operations projects to other RWECE departments
• 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 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

Job Requirements and Experiences:

•  Bachelor's degree strongly preferred
• Minimum 5 years' experience working in public affairs, 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, environmental management, or agriculture is a plus
• Strong interpersonal skills, with ability to manage customer relationships
• Demonstrated desire to learn about the Company and the renewable energy industry
• Excellent proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) and Teams
• Strong leadership and communication, and ability to meet deadlines
• Strong organizational 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
• Is detail-oriented, has strong business acumen, and a sound understanding of business concepts

• Office location in Austin or Chicago, hybrid schedule with 3 days in office when not traveling

• Travel – Up to 40%. Comfortable with overnight stays in remote areas

• Must be able to drive, sit, walk, or stand for long durations of time and carry up to 50 lbs.

Pay range: The annual base salary range for this position in Illinois $78,000 - $115,000. The listed salary range represents our good faith estimate for this position and represents the range for new hire salaries across all U.S locations. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. RWE considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s education & work experience, training & certifications, and key skills as well as market and business considerations at the time of the offer.

Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays. Eligible employees also participate in short-term incentives, in addition to salary.

Apply with just a few clicks: ad code 89838.

Any questions? Contact HR:  rwece_recruiting@rwe.com

We look forward to meeting you. Of course, you can find us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Xing, too.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

RWE Clean Energy is one of the biggest names in the US renewables industry – and No.2 in solar. With a 1,500-strong team, the business has over 15 years’ experience of developing, constructing and operating renewable energy facilities, and ambitious plans for the future.

As part of the RWE Group’s Growing Green strategy to expand globally its green portfolio to more than 65 GW of installed capacity and to invest globally more than EUR 55 billion gross by 2030, RWE Clean Energy is determined to significantly increase its operating asset base in the U.S. This is backed by a project pipeline of more than 24 GW in onshore wind, solar and battery storage which provides for one of the largest development platforms in the United States.

Every project brings constantly-evolving technical, practical and social challenges – and drives a culture where everybody thrives, has fun and feels excited by each day. Our financial stability also means you’ll have the freedom to act with conviction and courage as we pivot to new technologies – and continuously improve, together.