Community Engagement Associate

About Us

East Point Energy is a development firm focused on the origination, construction, and operation of energy storage projects. Our team is currently developing gigawatts of energy storage projects throughout the country, helping to transform the grid into a renewable, resilient, and affordable system for generations to come. East Point is a wholly owned subsidiary of Equinor, a broad international energy company committed to long-term value creation in a low-carbon future.

East Point’s nimble team is comprised of hard-working, strategic problem solvers who are passionate about sustainability. We are technology and contractor agnostic, allowing us to find the best solution for each project. Success for East Point is measured by delivering affordable energy storage solutions that benefit the grid, communities, and our environment.

East Point is committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes our company stronger. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for a job unless they feel they are fully qualified in every way. We also know that sometimes the best candidates do not check every box. If you are interested in learning more, we would love to hear from you.

Title: Community Engagement Associate

The Community Engagement Associate is responsible for helping develop, execute, and manage the public’s interaction with East Point projects; building and executing project-level campaign strategy that effectively leverages media engagement, community relations, and grassroots advocacy to ensure a quality long-term partnership between East Point and the various host communities of our projects. Collaborating across multiple business lines, the Community Engagement Associate will work with the Community Engagement (CE) Manager and Project Developers to ensure community relationships are fostered and maintained through not just the development phase, but also into construction and ultimately long-term operation. This role reports directly to the Community Engagement Manager.

Roles & Responsibilities:

- Conduct due diligence on the communities of proposed and/or current site locations in various markets; diligence including, but not limited to, power mapping of influential community members and organizations, mapping of local permitting processes, and community needs

- Collaborate with Project Developers and CE Manager to build, execute and maintain project-level engagement plans, ensuring East Point identifies and activates project supporters, fosters relationships with critical stakeholders, tracks local and regional media, and promotes understanding and support for East Point’s projects

- Support Project Developers in creating tailored key messages that combat misinformation and ensure stakeholders are well-informed of the direct and indirect benefits of our projects

- Coordinate local events to engage local government officials, civic leaders, community influencers, local businesses, and non-profit groups at the direction of the Project Developer and CE Manager

- Monitor media and social media in existing project areas and states

- Assist with the maintenance of stakeholder databases for projects to enable smooth transitions between project phases

- Support development of social investment strategies for project communities; once approved, track social investments across the company’s project pipeline

- Support creation and implementation of a project-level communications strategy, including, but not limited to: updating project websites, tracking local social media activity, and developing project collateral

- Assist CE Manager with identifying external facing 3rd parties to support projects, including 3rd party PR and community engagement firms

- Work with Project Developers to coordinate mailings to landowners and other project stakeholders

- Support Project Developers and Director of Policy & Strategy, as needed, on policy tracking and advocacy that impacts local community affairs, including, but not limited to, coordination with regional and federal trade organizations

- Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned

Skills:

- Proficiency with Microsoft software suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Teams, etc.)

- Ability to communicate across a broad spectrum of technical understanding - written, verbal and non-verbal

- Familiarity with PR campaign plans and willingness to learn and execute

- Comfort and skill with de-escalating potential confrontations with individuals or groups that are opposed to energy storage projects or similar issue-based campaigns

- Exceptional interpersonal, written, and oral community skills with an ability to communicate across a broad spectrum of technical understanding

Characteristics of an ideal candidate:

- Passion for renewable energy development and the environment

- Creative problem-solving ability and solutions-oriented mindset

- Self-starter with a desire to succeed and a focus on creating value

- Team player and leader, proactive attitude

- Organized, attention to detail

- Comfortable with a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment

- Ability to make informed decisions quickly and a bias for action

- Integrity and accountability

Education & Experience:

- Bachelor’s degree or higher in public relations, communications, political science or a related field

- Preferred 3 years of experience working in public affairs, public relations, communications, community organizing, or campaign management (in Mid-Atlantic states, Texas, and /or New York an additional plus)

- Knowledge of designing and executing effective grassroots campaigns, whether political or issue based

- Familiarity and experience working with common campaign tactics such as direct mail, radio/newspaper advertising, door-to-door canvassing, and social media advertising

- Experience in energy industry preferred

- Experience participating in a cross-functional team

Travel & Time Commitment:

- Up to 40% of time will be on the road; will vary based on the status of projects.

- Limited travel related to industry conferences and company events

- This is a full-time, exempt salaried position. Standard office hours are from 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM EST.

The demands of projects may require work outside of these times.

Benefits:

- Health, Dental, & Vision Insurance

- Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Coverage

- Life Insurance

- 401(k) & Employer Match

- Parental Leave

- Paid Time Off, Sick Leave, Holidays

- Education, Parking, and Gym Membership Stipends

Location:

East Point Energy office in Charlottesville, VA

This job description is not inclusive of all requirements of the position. Employees will perform any other duties as may be required by their manager.

East Point Energy is an E-Verify Employer