Job Description

Position  

Michigan Community Advocate 

Location  

Michigan (with the option to expand the region in the future) 

Company 

National Grid Renewables is a full-service renewable energy company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. National Grid Renewables has developed over 2,400 megawatts of wind and solar projects that are either operational or currently under construction throughout the United States. National Grid Renewables has a multi-gigawatt development pipeline of wind and solar projects in various stages of development throughout the United States. National Grid Renewables provides custom solutions for utilities and corporations looking to harness renewable energy for business growth. With deep roots in agriculture, National Grid Renewables prides itself on developing renewable energy projects that are farmer-friendly, community-driven, and beneficial for rural communities.   

Position Description 

The Michigan Community Advocate will lead community relations for all of NG Renewables’ Michigan projects. This will include forming and maintaining partnerships with community stakeholders, having individual meetings with community members, hosting listening sessions, educational events and volunteer opportunities, and sponsoring and tabling at community events. This position will drive project-level giving from development through operations across our Michigan portfolio.  To be successful, this position must collaborate internally with developers, plant personnel, construction, executive management and other departments. The Michigan Community Advocate will report to the Senior Community Engagement Specialist. This is a full-time position. 

Duties 

• Understand, deliver and improve upon National Grid Renewables’ community outreach strategy for all Michigan projects.  

• Advocate for local communities and ensure that community engagement in Michigan has a positive impact and is delivered efficiently and within budget. 

• Manage relationships and partnerships across the state, including external stakeholders such as local communities, 3rd party organizations and others as applicable. 

• Drive support for projects locally and statewide and develop and execute campaigns to combat opposition to renewable energy and/or projects. 

• Collaborate with others on the Community Engagement team to provide support, learn from each other, and adopt best practices based on on-the-ground experience. 

• Work closely with the Marketing and Communications department to ensure community and charitable projects are recognized internally and externally. 

• Work cross-functionally with other departments, including development, permitting, policy, construction, and operations to deliver integrated and high-quality community engagement. 

• Monitor Michigan and national renewable energy news, including opposition activity, competitor community engagement activities, permitting news, and community news. 

• Ability to travel within Michigan up to 50%, with some travel on short notice. 

• Occasional travel outside of Michigan to assist with other projects, visit the corporate office in Minnesota, etc. 

• This is NOT a standard Monday-Friday, 8-5 role. Some evenings and weekends will be required to have a presence at community events. 

Experience 

• MUST be a resident of Michigan. Preferred residence in Muskegon County or West Michigan. 

• Proven collaborator and networking expert, with the ability to build strong relationships internally and externally. 

• Experience working with external and internal stakeholders to deliver community-level projects. 

• Able to manage and prioritize complex, competing communication issues – maintaining high standards and alignment with National Grid Renewables’ strategy  

• Understanding of the importance of strategic communications. 

• Highly articulate and persuasive communicator. 

• Ability to remain calm in stressful/tense situations. 

• Skills/Attributes: 

• Strong verbal skills 

• Achievement driven 

• Energetic  

• Able to manage multiple tasks and projects  

• Loyal and committed to the organization 

• Pursuit of personal growth 

Preference may be given to candidates with the following:  

• Experience with political campaigning and/or building grassroots and community support for a cause.   

• Established relationships with Michigan renewable energy groups, nonprofits, legislators, and/or other influential stakeholders. 

• Understanding of the energy/utility sector preferably renewable energy, and relevant internal/external influences (such as governmental, regulatory, NGOs, communities, employee relations, media, agencies, industry bodies).  

• Experience in volunteering and other structured employee participation in responsible business activity 

• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook).  

Compensation 

This is a contract position, with an hourly rate starting at $50/hour. 

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. National Grid Renewables is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  

National Grid Renewables believe fostering diversity, equity and inclusion is everyone’s responsibility. Open, honest and respectful ways of working, learning and communicating are the cornerstones of a successful business, and leveraging inclusion and diversity lead to better business results. At National Grid Renewables, we’re focused on creating a work environment where our people feel respected and included, and therefore empowered to be themselves. 

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