Job Description

Collaborate with all lines of business to build relationships and provide excellent customer service to both internal and external customers. Create, coordinate and distribute informative communications that encourage employee engagement, using effective messaging tools and delivery channels.

Note: There is one position available and the position will be filled at one of three job grade levels: Employee Communications Specialist I, job grade 5; Employee Communications Specialist II, job grade 6; Employee Communications Specialist III, job grade 7; or Senior Employee Communications Specialist, job grade 8. This decision will be based on the qualifications and experience of the candidate selected, and Tri-State business needs at the time of hire.

Tri-State recognizes the value of a highly-engaged and committed workforce and provides an excellent benefits program that includes:
Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Work Schedules including compressed work week and telecommuting opportunities to work remotely up to 40%, Life Insurance, 401K, Long Term Disability (LTD), Short Term Disability (STD), Employee Assistant Program (EAP) and Paid Leave Benefits.

Senior Employee Communications Specialist
Hiring Salary Range: $88,000-$111,000
Employee Communications Specialist III
Hiring Salary Range: $80,000-$99,000
Employee Communications Specialist II
Hiring Salary Range: $72,000-$88,000
Employee Communications Specialist I
Hiring Salary Range: $64,000-$79,000

Actual compensation offer to candidate may vary outside of the posted hiring salary range based upon work experience, education, and/or skill level.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage innovative and creative communication plans that deliver key campaign and project messages while supporting employee initiatives.
• Write and edit content for internal and external communications channels including intranet, digital signage, posters, emails, presentations and executive correspondence, as well as external websites and publications.
• Interview and frame stories to incorporate Tri-State goals, strategies and interests. Manage editing process to produce stories that are well researched, accurate and free of errors.
• Design communications for the digital communication stations and posters and provide feedback on creative materials.
• Support communication strategies aligned with corporate brand, goals, value and culture.
• Review monthly board meeting presentations, prepare monthly board report for members and staff.
• Perform regular content audits of intranet and other employee-facing platforms.
• Proactively identify areas for improvement of communications program, based on knowledge of the company, its departments and employees, and the industry as a whole.
• Occasionally lead the work of small project teams and provide guidance to junior staff.
• Support the Marketing Communication team with member events as well as writing and editing for external and member-facing communications.
• Document, test and finalize processes to support cross-training of communications team on key duties.
• Provide support for media relations and crisis communications.
• Adhere to and demonstrate compliance with appropriate electric utility industry regulatory requirements. Attain knowledge and remain knowledgeable of development in regulations, laws, standards and best practices applicable to the functional area including, but not limited to, Standards of Conduct, Environmental, Employment Law, NERC Reliability Standards and Safety. Must be familiar with, and comply with, all aspects of Corporate Policy C-54, Compliance.
• Demonstrate behavior consistent with Tri-State's culture embodied in the Cooperative principles and spirit and core values of technical competency, respect and dignity, accountability, integrity, trustworthiness, and servant leadership to empower or otherwise enable others to optimally perform their job responsibilities. Demonstrate and promote ethics and behaviors consistent with Tri-State's culture, Board policies, and business practices. Understand and fulfill the role and responsibility for all compliance programs within the company.
• Because Tri-State is an electric utility with continuous service obligations to its customers, regular, reliable, and predictable performance of the essential functions and responsibilities is an essential function of the job.
• Because Tri-State has an obligation to provide continuous, reliable electric service to its customers, the ability to work overtime at any time of the day or week is considered an essential function of the job.

OTHER DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Perform other related duties as assigned

Qualifications

Education and Training

• Bachelors' degree in a communications field (journalism, communications, English) or an equivalent combination of experience and/or education.

Knowledge, Skills, and Ability:

• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Must be able to be creative and concise.
• Proficient in Associated Press (AP) style.
• Proven skills in designing effective and engaging communications.
• Ability to communicate with and write for all employees, members and other external audiences.
• Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office.

Other:

• Ability to travel up to 25% including overnight to Tri-State and member locations as necessary to build and maintain relationships.

DESIRED JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Microsoft 365
• WordPress
• SharePoint
• Mailchimp
• Basic photography skills
• Basic HTML coding
• Basic design skills