Communication Specialist (3+ years of EXP federal, state programs)

Position Overview

The Communication Specialist for Fire & Disaster Recovery supports T&D’s clients, Mora/San Miguel Electric Cooperative (MSMEC) and others, with the safe and efficient removal of hazardous trees and rebuilding of electrical infrastructure by coordinating landowner outreach and communication, property access, and field operations activities. This role serves as the key liaison between landowners, contractors, and project leadership to ensure work is properly scheduled, documented, and completed in alignment with safety standards, environment requirements, and program timelines.

This position is responsible for facilitating Right-of-Entry (ROE) processes, maintaining accurate tracking systems, resolving access or scheduling challenges, and supporting overall project performance. By integrating customer service with operational coordination, the coordinator helps reduce public safety risks and advance mitigation and disaster recovery objectives while promoting a positive landowner experience.

Key Responsibilities:

Under the direction of the Public Information Officer (PIO) or project leadership, this position is responsible for:

· Project Monitoring: Monitor day-to-day hazard tree program activities. Identify and escalate, when necessary, project risks including access delays, contractor performance issues, weather impacts, and community concerns. Identify geographic or demographic trends impacting participation. Support development of standard operating procedures and monitoring framework. Ensure right-of-entry, consent, or authorization tracking efforts by coordinating communications, collecting documentation, reconciling records, and identifying gaps or risks.

Field Support: Conduct on-site outreach efforts, including door-to-door canvassing and participation in community events to engage residents and provide project information. The primary goal will be to work with project technical specialists to contact landowners/MSMEC members to inform them of the project work on their property and obtain ROEs. Continued engagement with landowners/MSMEC members as project work occurs on those properties will ensure good communications.
Public Engagement: Support the development and implementation of outreach strategies to inform residents about the MSMEC Fire & Disaster Recovery Projects, including its purposes, goals, and timelines.
Communication Support and Information Dissemination: Support, create, and distribute informational materials such as brochures, flyers, and newsletters to keep the community updated on project developments and safety measures. Assist Public Information Officer (PIO) in communicating program updates through multiple communication channels.
Public Meetings: Support the Public Information Officer to organize and facilitate community meetings and workshops to gather input, address concerns, and provide a platform for residents to ask questions about the project.
Relationship Building: Establish and maintain strong relationships with community members, local organizations, and stakeholders to promote collaboration and gather feedback.
Resource Coordination: Work with the PIO, project leadership and to connect residents with resources related to tree safety, utility services, and wildfire recovery efforts.
Reporting: Track, monitor and report on program activities, community feedback, concerns, and make suggestions to project leadership and project technical specialists to inform ongoing communication efforts.
Social Media Engagement: Assist Public Information/Communications Specialist in managing social media channels to promote outreach activities and share project updates, engaging with community members online.
Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in experience in Business Administration, Communications, Public Administration, or a related field.
Minimum of 3 -5 years of experience in federal, state, or local programs, communication role, or project support roles.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
Strong organizational skills, attention to details, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in fast paced environment.
Strong proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, including Teams, SharePoint, Word, Excel, and Outlook, and in using social media platforms and outreach tools for community engagement.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic environment.

· Willingness to work in a hybrid office/field setting and travel locally as required.

Preferred Competencies

Experience working with state, local, federal, or grant-funding programs
Strong public speaking and community outreach skills.
Experience handling sensitive or high-concern public interactions professionally.
Bilingual (Spanish and English) skills will be beneficial.
Experience supporting disaster recovery, utility, or infrastructure programs is a plus.

Work Environment

This position combines office-based administrative work with active community and field engagement. This position must be comfortable interacting with public in rural or infrastructure-focused environments and adaptable to flexible schedules as needed to support project activities. This position may require evening or weekend hours.

Schedule

· Flexible Monday – Friday schedule during normal business hours.

· Approximately 8-hour shifts, with flexibility based on project and executive support needs.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Transmission & Distribution Services, LLC (T&D) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

T&D is committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment and to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful work environment.

Job Types: Full-time, Temporary

Pay: $32.00 - $38.00 per hour

Expected hours: 35 – 40 per week

Benefits: