BACKGROUND

About Energy Trust of Oregon

Energy Trust of Oregon is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to energy efficiency and renewable energy development. We serve Oregon customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas and Avista, and SW Washington customers of NW Natural. Year over year Energy Trust is recognized as one of the 100 Best Nonprofits to Work For in Oregon.

Our Vision

Clean, affordable energy for everyone.

Our Commitment to Diversity

We recognize the lack of diversity in our industry, and we actively seek to address it with our hiring and retention practices as well as our values. We believe every person and their lived experience is integral to building a vibrant culture and delivering effective services to all customers we serve. We are committed to the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion, and we encourage candidates with diverse backgrounds and experience to apply.

Our Location

Energy Trust provides for a range of work location options, including remote, hybrid and in-office work. This position will represent Energy Trust in public settings and potentially at community events. We are open to candidates who live throughout Oregon and Washington. The Communication Specialist would be expected to report to the office on a quarterly basis, at minimum.

What We’re Looking For:

The Communications Specialist is responsible for developing, managing and delivering Energy Trust communications products that support the organization’s external relations with stakeholders including the Oregon Public Utility Commission, utilities, Energy Trust board of directors, Energy Trust’s advisory councils and other industry stakeholders.

Based in the Communications & Customer Service (CCS) group, the Communications Specialist will be a member of the Communications Team, which develops stakeholder-facing communications products and performs internal communications and reporting functions. (Please note that marketing, public relations, advertising, brand and social media are outside the scope of this role.)

The person in this position will be a skilled writer and copy editor with experience managing a variety of complex, detailed and often technical communications products. They will have excellent critical thinking, judgement and problem-solving skills. They will thrive in a fast-paced work environment and be able to juggle multiple competing priorities.

This position will work closely with staff and contractors across the organization, routinely working with subject matter experts on a variety of energy efficiency, renewable energy, economic and financial content. The work requires an ability to negotiate and clarify needs and outcomes, prioritize project deliverables and engage internal and external stakeholders.

What You’ll Do:

• Develop, write, edit and/or deliver Energy Trust external and internal communications content, including communications plans, presentations, speeches, messaging and talking points, fact sheets, web copy, and other general communications projects and initiatives.
• Manage and support complex communications initiatives and projects with multiple internal stakeholders.
• Collaborate with colleagues to gather information and input for development of content and communications plans. This person will work regularly with communications, policy services, outreach, programs, planning and evaluation, and director-level staff.
• Review and copy edit communications to ensure consistency, clarity, readability and alignment with Energy Trust style.
• Maintain and reinforce Energy Trust style guidelines.
• Advise colleagues on communications strategy and content development.
• Participate on cross-functional teams for organizational initiatives to provide communications guidance and leadership.
• Research issues and develop backgrounders as needed.
• Perform notetaking duties at public meetings as needed.
• Apply standard project management techniques, including developing project schedules, meeting interim and overall project deadlines, communicating with project team members, informing project sponsors and resolving issues to keep projects on course.
• Document processes, decisions and meetings.
• Manage contracted professional services to complete communications projects and initiatives as needed.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
• Perform all functions of the job in a safe manner.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

• No direct supervisory responsibility.
• This position may procure and manage the work of external contractors.

What You’ll Need:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, political science, public affairs or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 3-5 years of progressively responsible professional communications and project management experience.
• Superior writing skills and experience writing and producing a variety of communications. Applicant must submit a writing sample with application materials.
• Strong AP knowledge and demonstrated skill in copy editing.
• Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, issue resolution and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Attention to detail, commitment to quality and a passion for clear and effective communications.
• Excellent verbal communication skills and ability to articulate ideas, problem solve and bring a team to resolution.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel. Experience with SharePoint a plus.
• Energy efficiency, renewable energy or utility industry experience preferred.

The above information is designed to outline the functions and position requirements of this job. It does not identify all tasks that may be expected, nor address the performance standards that must be maintained.

What You’ll Get:

• Health/dental/vision insurance
• Employer sponsored and paid life/disability
• 401(k) with a company contribution of 6% of your salary after 90 days of employment
• TriMet pass
• Access to health and dependent FSA/HSA accounts
• Generous paid vacation, holidays and sick days
• Paid volunteer hours
• Employee assistance program
• Career advancement opportunities
• Great colleagues and culture
• Flexibility to work from home and/or an office space at the Portland, OR location
• Work from home laptop provided

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that candidates from certain demographics are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification—for example, women and People of Color. At Energy Trust we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace—if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles.

Attn: Communication Specialist

Please submit a resume, cover letter and sample of your writing