Community Affairs Liaison, Imperial Valley

Position Summary:

As our Community Affairs Liaison in the Imperial Valley, California you will be the primary liaison locally for a leading and growing company in the region. You will manage the relationship between the company and all Imperial County stakeholders, which includes social organizations, local elected officials, concerned residents, tribes, non-profits, service organizations and community leaders. You will be expected to attend community events regularly, present on the project, solicit feedback, answer questions, communicate clearly and effectively and be able to navigate local issues and concerns deftly.

Responsibilities:

·       Day-to-day point of contact for any Imperial County lawmaker, stakeholder or resident as the project begins construction and gears up for operations in the future.

·       Possess a keen understanding of community concerns

·       Liaise with the local government on regulatory issues and government programs that may support the project

·       Manage stakeholder relationships and establish new relationships as warranted, and maintain regular, on-going communication.

·       Give presentations and actively participate in local events that promote and support the project.

·       Attend and participate in public meetings and hearings, and supporter events

·       Keep constant two-way line of communication with the company’s community engagement leaders.

·       Although a technical background is not required, you must have a commitment to understanding the technology and project details to confidently present on the plans and answer complex high-level questions with confidence and poise.

·       All other duties as assigned

Key Requirements:

Public Speaking Excellence: You can confidently and effectively deliver presentations that clearly articulate the project details and community benefits, while earnestly answering questions and soliciting feedback.

Writing: You excel in writing letters, emails, blogs and correspondence to local elected officials, stakeholders, community leaders and residents.  You must write and self-edit for clear communications.

 Public Facing Persona. As the face and point of contact for a major project in the area, you must thrive in the public and be at ease meeting new people, managing relationships and leading conversations.

Data Management and Organization. You must have impeccable organizational skills to track, monitor and update excel and customer relations management software to ensure all community groups are engaged, questions are followed up with and stakeholders are included in regular communications.

Team Player: Working within the company’s community engagement program, you must have a willingness to accept constructive feedback, work cooperatively on the engagement strategy and provide regular updates to the leadership team.

Accountability: As the primary liaison in Imperial County, you are expected to be a self-starter that is constantly looking for opportunities to connect with the community, attend events, educate residents on the projects, and proactively follow-up with those interested in the project or who have questions. 

Qualities and Attributes of the successful candidate:

·       A focus on working constructively with Imperial County

·       A positive and steady demeanor

·       A dedication to understanding the community and the project

·       An “addiction” to quality thinking and performance

·       A commitment to continuous improvement

·       A highly collaborative workstyle with team members

Minimum Education Requirements:

·       Bachelor’s degree or equivalency

Minimum Experience Requirements:

·       Experience in development, local government, external affairs, grassroots advocacy or community affairs positions.

·       Experience in permitting or engineering is a plus.

·       A strong connection to Imperial County is highly preferred.

Location: 

Operations are located in El Centro and Calipatria, CA.  The ideal candidate will reside in Imperial County, CA.

Place of work