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The Customer and Community Liaison serves as the primary company representative for landowners affected by local transmission projects. This position is responsible for building and maintaining trusted relationships, coordinating property-specific communications, documenting concerns, facilitating issue resolution, and ensuring landowners receive timely, accurate, and understandable information throughout the project lifecycle. The position will also support engagement with local community organizations, agricultural groups, business organizations, civic leaders, and other stakeholders with an interest in project development.**We are open to any Indiana & Michigan location but the most central to the project are Fort Wayne and Avilla.
Job Description Key Responsibilities:
- The Customer and Community Liaison works closely with transmission planning, siting, right-of-way, engineering, environmental, legal, construction, communications, and community engagement teams to help landowners navigate project activities and obtain answers to questions regarding project impacts, property considerations, easement acquisition, construction activities, and restoration commitments.
- This position serves as a dedicated advocate for the landowner experience while supporting successful project execution through proactive communication, issue identification, and stakeholder engagement.
Landowner Relationship Management:
- Establish and maintain productive relationships with landowners through regular and proactive communication.
- Listen to and understand property-specific concerns, questions, and interests. Want people to feel heard.
- Provide responsive, professional, and respectful support while building trust and credibility.
- Tailor communication and engagement approaches to meet individual landowner needs and preferences.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned landowners throughout transmission project development, easement acquisition, construction, and restoration activities.
- Participate in community meetings, open houses, stakeholder briefings, and public engagement activities.
- Support implementation of project-specific engagement plans and outreach activities.
- Communicate community perspectives and concerns to project teams. Build relationships with local organizations, agricultural groups, chambers of commerce, community leaders, civic organizations, Farm Bureau representatives, and other stakeholder groups.
- Document customer and community interactions, concerns, commitments, and action items.
- Coordinate responses with engineering, siting, environmental, right-of-way, legal, communications, and construction teams.
- Track commitments through completion and ensure timely follow-up.
- Escalate significant customer and community concerns and emerging project risks when appropriate.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, public affairs, business, agriculture, community development, political science, or related field; or equivalent experience.
- Three (3) years of experience in stakeholder engagement, community relations, customer service, public affairs, account management, project coordination, right-of-way, real estate, outreach, or related field.
- Demonstrated ability to build relationships and communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
- Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Valid driver’s license required.
- Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to navigate complex issues
- Must have good public speaking skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to explain complex information in a clear and understandable manner.
- Demonstrated conflict resolution and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail.
- Strong project coordination skills.
- Ability to work effectively with customers, community stakeholders, contractors, and cross-functional teams.
- Sound judgment, professionalism, and discretion when handling sensitive issues.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in the electric utility, energy, infrastructure, real estate, agriculture, or construction sectors.
- Experience working with landowners, easement acquisition, right-of-way, or property-related issues.
- Experience supporting public infrastructure or capital projects.
- Familiarity with transmission development, siting, permitting, or construction processes.
- Experience engaging with rural communities and agricultural stakeholders.
- Experience utilizing CRM, case management, or stakeholder tracking systems.
Physical Requirements and Travel
- Ability to travel frequently within assigned service territory.
- Ability to attend evening meetings and community events as required.
- Ability to conduct field visits on private property and construction sites
- Must have a valid driver’s license
- Will utilize own vehicle. No overnight travel, travel will be across IN to the MI border.
Reference: 1066496
Worried that you don’t meet every single requirement listed in the job ad? Studies have shown that individuals from marginalized groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. Hive + Co. is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and representative workplace, so if you’re excited about this role, but worried that you don’t meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyways. We’d love to get to know you.