Community Benefits Specialist

Department: Government and Public Affairs

Position Summary

The Community Benefits Specialist is responsible for the creation, management and oversight of Plug’s community benefit planning and implementation across a wide and increasing range of facility projects throughout the U.S. This critical role will lead the execution of finalized community benefit plans and building relationships with key stakeholders in specific locations in order to fulfill the goals of the associated plans. The ideal candidate for this position has a strong working knowledge of federal, state and local government programs associated with Justice 40, energy equity, DEIA and workforce development and how those programs result in documenting and realizing increased economic, social and community benefits within the project communities. This position reports to the Director of Community and Workforce Development with Plug’s Government Affairs team. The role interacts with multiple business units within Plug to execute on community benefit planning and goals.

Principal Accountabilities

• Development and implementation of multiple project specific community benefit plans
• Production of reports and metrics to internal and external stakeholders to meet plan goals.
• Assists with negotiation, execution and management of various contracts and milestones with community benefit partner organizations.

Core Duties And Responsibilities

• Work with external stakeholders such as workforce development boards, economic development organizations, community and non-profit support agencies, chambers of commerce, educational institutions to define a structured and specific plan that documents how the associated project will benefit the local community.
• Relate the structure of the community benefit plan back to the corresponding federal, state or local agency negotiating or requiring the plan.
• Engage with various internal business units such as HR, Operations, Energy Services, Marketing and Communications to design and implement plans with attainable goals and facilitate introductions to various external stakeholder groups.
• Design an effective and repeatable plan implementation template that can serve as a grounding point for consultant teams, internal and external stakeholders.
• Interact with the Finance and Legal teams to ensure identified community benefit partners have mutually beneficial contracts and deliverables in place to achieve overall plan goals.
• Conduct regular check-in meetings with community members and stakeholder groups to gauge progress on plan implementation and address gaps or deficiencies.
• Where applicable on federally funded projects, design and document community benefits that align with Justice 40 initiatives benefitting disadvantaged communities.
• Ensure plans have a comprehensive Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) component and are engaging with stakeholder groups that can assist in meeting goals.
• Ensure plans have strong workforce development programs and pathways that enable individuals from disadvantaged communities within or near the project site have the training and education necessary to obtain and retain employment.
• Ensure plans address energy equity and create opportunities for disadvantaged communities impacted by the project to have access and equitable treatment to the benefits of the associated clean energy projects.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Public Policy, Social Welfare, Business, Communications, Economics or related program
• A minimum of 2-3 years of experience in government/public affairs, economic/ workforce development, grants or contract management or public relations/communications required.
• Excellent communication skills including public speaking, writing, negotiations, and community relations.
• Strong project management acumen with ability to manage multiple high demand project deliverables in a fast-paced technology environment.
• Experience with government reporting requirements, tax incentive programs, contract negotiations/management and associated terminology
• Strong collaboration skills with the ability to build trust and relationships with individuals and organizations.
• Must be willing to travel throughout the United States on a limited basis for critical meetings or discussions with project teams and partners. Travel may be up to 25%.

Estimated Base Salary Range

$69,900.00 – $104,900.00