Communications Consultant - Media Relations

Date: Aug 26, 2025

Location: PHOENIX, AZ, US, 85004-3903

Company: APS

Arizona Public Service generates reliable, affordable and clean energy for 2.7 million Arizonans. As the state’s largest and longest-serving energy provider, our more than 6,000 dedicated employees power our vision of creating a sustainable energy future for Arizona.

Summary

The Communications Consultant provides candid strategic counsel and communications, from conception to execution. The ideal candidate is a compelling communicator who can translate complex issues into easy-to-understand messages for a variety of audiences and has experience in reputation management through media relations.

Responsibilities include serving as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and internal partners; writing and editing news releases, statements and key messages; building and maintaining relationships with local, national and trade reporters/news outlets, including Spanish-language media; pitching stories; responding to media inquiries, serving as a company spokesperson and member of the crisis communications team, participating in response efforts and exercises; and taking shifts in 24/7 on-call media duty rotation. The consultant works in a cross-functional team environment with minimal supervision, so collaboration and being action oriented are important competencies.

Bilingual (Spanish) candidates are encouraged to apply.

Minimum Requirements

- Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Advertising, Marketing, Public Relations, English, Communications or related field

- And five (5) years related writing/editing experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills, software application skills including word processing and desktop publishing, and solid project management skills.

Major Accountabilities

1) Consults with internal clients to assist achievement of their respective business goals. This includes advice on strategy, positioning, messages and media mix.

2) Develops and provides leadership for the implementation of strategic communication plans directed to a variety of targeted internal/external audiences.

3) Directs a variety of communication activities including writing, editing, scripting, producing and distributing media such as collateral materials, memos, brochures, flyers, posters, articles, and letters.

4) Designs, plans, processes and communicates accurate, complex information to a variety of targeted internal/external audiences, ensuring on-time delivery.

5) Maintains a broad-based knowledge of business or industry technologies and issues, including specific knowledge of the electric utility industry.

6) Maintains quality standards and adheres to communication plans.

7) Manages resources within time and budget constraints by coordinating the use of internal suppliers, vendors and outside agencies.

8) Maintains appropriate levels of confidentiality.

Export Compliance / EEO Statement

This position may require access to and/or use of information subject to control under the Department of Energy's Part 810 Regulations (10 CFR Part 810), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730 through 774), or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter M Part 120) (collectively, 'U.S. Export Control Laws'). Therefore, some positions may require applicants to be a U.S. person, which is defined as a U.S. Citizen, a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), a Political Asylee, or a Refugee under the U.S. Export Control Laws. All applicants will be required to confirm their U.S. person or non-US person status. All information collected in this regard will only be used to ensure compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws, and will be used in full compliance with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of national origin and other factors. For positions at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Stations (PVNGS) all openings will require applicants to be a U.S. person.

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates ('Pinnacle West') maintain a continuing policy of nondiscrimination in employment. It is our policy to provide equal opportunity in all phases of the employment process and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This policy of nondiscrimination shall include, but not be limited to, recruiting, hiring, promoting, compensating, reassigning, demoting, transferring, laying off, recalling, terminating employment, and training for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, disability, age, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other classification or characteristic protected by law.

For more information on applicable equal employment regulations, please refer to EEO is the Law poster. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of every person hired to work in the United States, refer to E-Verify poster. View the employee rights and responsibilities under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

Arizona Public Service is a smoke free workplace.

Hybrid:Employees in hybrid roles work both in their home offices (virtually) and alongside their colleagues (in person).

In order for employees to build strong relationships and to promote meaningful in-person interactions, hybrid employees are expected to work about 40% of their time in-person at an APS or other (non-home office) location.

- Employees are expected to reside in Arizona (or New Mexico for Four Corners-based employees).

- Working from a home office requires adequate technology and an appropriate ergonomic set up.

- Role types are subject to change based on business need.

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