Why you should join the team

The Internal and Strategic Communications Specialist will work to: improve internal communications' efficiency and effectiveness; help ensure positive project, advocacy and initiative results; and enhance and promote VELCO's corporate identity. These objectives will be pursued through the creation and distribution of digital and print communications consistent with VELCO's Mission, Vision, and Values, as needed for employees and key stakeholders. These communications channels will include in-person gatherings, company newsletters and intranet, news releases, internal and external websites, social media channels and electronic communications.

The specialist will also provide administrative support for the Vermont System Planning Committee.

How you will make an impact

Internal

• Oversee and produce, from concept to completion, a broad array of digital and/or print promotional, marketing and communication materials for VELCO.

• Write, help edit, and manage material and publication design for company publications, newsletters, reports, presentations, Board of Directors packages and other internal communications. Market and offer these services actively to internal clients.

• Develop and manage internal communications plans, projects, and policies that advance the company's ongoing work and strategic priorities.

• Draft briefing documents and messaging for executive team internal communications.

• Provide skilled communications advice to management on topics and initiatives as needed in order to achieve positive outcomes with external and internal stakeholders.

• Work jointly with other departments to ensure communications meet the highest professional standards of accuracy, clarity, and style.

• Ensure that all materials present a clear, unified, and positive image for the organization and/or brand promoting VELCO's Mission, Vision, and Values.

• Establish and nurture an effective network of internal subject matter experts in a manner that promotes efficient collaboration.

• Facilitate conversations, presentations, and meetings as necessary to advance internal communication objectives.

• Support creation of internal events that advance VELCO's learning and safety culture, increase transparency, and advance initiatives.

  External

• Assist with developing and implementing ideas for generating positive, earned media, as well as with developing media inquiry responses to include interview preparation.

• Manage VELCO's presence across social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and X (Twitter) by creating a social calendar to schedule posts, coordinating social campaigns, and collaborating with different teams within VELCO to highlight significant news, opportunities, and projects for public sharing. Provide support to internal and external customer service responses (responses, resolving inquiries, tracking/monitoring issues and communicating to Communications Team)

• Develop performance metrics to assess social media work effectiveness

• Track and share news coverage of VELCO and selected internal and external stakeholders.

• Assist with external communications, including identifying newsworthy story ideas and drafting press releases, and social medial content.

• Provide administrative support to the Vermont System Planning Committee that may include scheduling subcommittee meetings, posting materials on the external website, and arranging logistics for quarterly meetings.

  Vermont System Planning Committee

• Provide administrative support to the Vermont System Planning Committee that may include scheduling subcommittee meetings, posting materials on the external website, and arranging logistics for quarterly meetings.

• Other duties as assigned.

Education & Training

Bachelor's Degree in communications, public relations or relevant field or experience required; an equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered.

Experience

Two to four years of internal communications experience required:

• Working knowledge of the energy industry and Vermont energy policy is strongly desired in order to plan, implement and evolve VELCO's media strategy.

• Demonstrated competence communicating to a variety of constituencies in all manner of media.

• Experience conceiving, developing and implementing public relations activities that enhance branding and increase constituent engagement

• Experience conceiving, developing, organizing and implementing employee events that enhance esprit de corps.

• Actively participate in creating and contributing to a positive work environment, including on matters of equity and belonging.

Knowledge/Skills

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Excellent copy-editing skills.

• Excellent social media skills.

• Excellent relationship fostering and collaboration skills.

• Excellent graphic design skills.

• Extremely proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and desktop publishing software.

• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.

• Demonstrates a curious and open-minded approach to utilizing emerging tools, like AI.

• Experience with Constant Contact, Canva, and other marketing tools is a bonus.

Important considerations

• Must be able to withstand prolonged periods of sitting or standing at a desk while working on a computer. Must be able to perform typical administrative functions which may involve long periods of keyboarding and periodically of scanning, filing, copying, etc.

• Must be able to maintain fast pace while completing complex work, with competing priorities, within tight timelines and with frequent interruptions.

• Must be able to work additional hours when necessary.

• Must maintain a valid driver's license.

• VELCO is an Equal Employment Opportunity & Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

• Starting pay will be determined at the time of offer based on the experience, education, and training of the successful candidate.

• Eligible applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

• Any offer of employment will be contingent upon successful reference check, background check, physical examination, drug screening, and documentation of Covid-19 vaccination unless candidate qualifies for a vaccine exemption.

• VELCO's headquarters are located in Rutland, Vermont. This is a hybrid position and the expectation is that the incumbent will spend at least two days per week onsite and more as needed.

• If you need an accommodation as part of the application or interview process please reach out.

VELCO is handling all aspects of talent acquisition internally and will not engage the services of third-party staffing agencies, recruiters, or headhunters. We kindly request that these entities refrain from contacting us.