Community Relations Specialist - Oahu

We recognize our competitive advantage — our people. We believe in our people, who share our vision of meeting the needs of our employees, customers, and communities and who carry out the continued success of the company. Our employees are committed to the company's foundational values: integrity, excellence, teamwork, environmental stewardship, and community commitment. In turn, we invest in our employees, providing opportunities for challenge and advancement and offering a competitive compensation package.

About the role

The PQR Community Relations Department of the P Community Affairs Division at Hawaiian Electric Company has a management vacancy for a professional role focused on developing, implementing, and coordinating community relations programs to further Company goals and objectives. This includes identifying critical community issues and concerns that may impact the Company and recommending actions to address them.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic community relations and communications plans to advance Company goals and facilitate acceptance of Company initiatives and programs, incorporating insights from relationships with residential customers, community leaders, neighborhood boards, and other civic, community, and charitable organizations.
• Provide community relations guidance and consultation to Company personnel, assisting in the preparation of meetings, presentations, and materials for public outreach. Evening and/or weekend work may be required.
• Serve as the Company’s liaison with customer and community stakeholders for major capital projects and smaller-scale projects, offering guidance, strategy development, and support for project personnel.
• Conduct outreach and presentations before public groups and agencies, sometimes in potentially hostile environments, to explain the Company’s position and address sensitive community concerns.
• Respond to escalated concerns from customers or community members impacted by projects.
• Collaborate with Government Relations on critical issues discussed with public and elected officials, including state and local agencies.
• Conduct research to assist with inquiries from federal, state, and county elected officials and government agencies.
• Work closely with Corporate Communications and Government Relations on external communications, informing and educating Company management about customer and community concerns.
• Monitor and assess customer and community issues, newsletters, and other communications to track community sentiment.
• Provide community relations support and training to employees and contractors to ensure awareness and sensitivity to customer and community needs.
• Offer cultural support for Company projects in culturally sensitive areas, assisting with compliance related to historic preservation issues.
• Collaborate with the Community Relations Manager, Community Affairs Director, and consultants to develop strategies for navigating cultural sensitivities unique to Hawai‘i, including burial discoveries, cultural protocols, and working in cultural resource areas.
• Coordinate project outreach with the State Historic Preservation Division, O‘ahu Island Burial Council, known lineal and cultural descendants, and the Company’s archaeological consultants.
• Promote understanding of Hawai‘i’s unique culture through cultural sensitivity training to avoid inadvertent damage to cultural and archaeological resources and violations of federal and state laws.
• Participate in Company emergency response activities as assigned.

Requirements

• Working knowledge of key community organizations and business practices.
• Working knowledge of federal, state, economic, business, and political climates.
• Demonstrated knowledge of communications and information dissemination techniques.
• Understanding of how people communicate, listen, learn, and react.
• Working knowledge of personal computers and related software applications (e.g., spreadsheets, word-processing).
• Working knowledge of budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Expert knowledge of Company operations; working knowledge of utility industry operations; familiarity with the communities the Company serves and the issues facing them.
• Sound understanding of individual, group, and organizational behavior.

Skills

• People Skills:
  • Leadership skills to work with individuals dealing with sensitive, difficult, or confrontational issues in potentially hostile environments.
  • Ability to handle such issues professionally with tact, courtesy, and discretion.
  • Strong interpersonal skills to influence and persuade various groups or individuals.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong positive relationships with community and government personnel.
  • Ability to work independently, remain flexible in a demanding work environment, handle multiple tasks concurrently, and adapt to rapidly changing priorities.
  • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a team member across diverse departments.
  • Ability to effectively represent the Company’s position in the community, regardless of personal views.
  • Demonstrated ability to enter a community “cold” and gain long-term respect and credibility.
• Business Skills:
  • Excellent understanding of the value of community relations to organizational success.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, and facilitation skills, including the ability to think on one’s feet and respond to media and customer inquiries clearly and concisely.
  • Analytical and conceptual skills to assess issues, recommend actions, and coordinate implementation.
  • Ability to simplify financial, statistical, and technical information for broad consumption.
  • Flexibility to maintain a schedule including evening and weekend work in the community.
  • Established reputation for personal credibility, high ethical values, and conduct.

Qualifications

• 5 to 7 years of active community relations, public affairs, or problem-resolution experience, or 8+ years of extensive community volunteer experience.
• 5+ years of Company service is desirable.
• Experience providing testimony and fielding questions at public hearings and community meetings.
• Positive background and work history reflecting success in relevant communities (desirable).

About Hawaiian Electric Companies

Hawaiian Electric Companies provide electricity and services to 95 percent of the state's 1.4 million residents. The company is a leading employer and a major contributor to community and educational programs. With over a century of service, the company is committed to providing quality service and seeking clean local energy sources for future generations.

Pay

The hiring range for this position is $89,100.00 to $113,700.00. The selected candidate will be placed according to skills and qualifications.

Location: Honolulu – Oahu