Community Outreach Coordinator

Customer and Community Liaison

Location: Fort Wayne or Avilla, IN (Preferred)

Employment Type: 1 Year contract with the potential to convert to a permanent position

Travel: Frequent local and regional travel throughout Indiana, up to the Michigan border. No overnight travel required.

We have a contract opportunity with our client in Fort Wayne or Avilla, IN, for a Customer and Community Liaison. This position serves as the primary point of contact for landowners and community stakeholders impacted by electric transmission projects. The ideal candidate will have strong relationship-building, communication, and conflict-resolution skills, with the ability to navigate sensitive situations and ensure landowners feel heard, informed, and supported throughout the project lifecycle.

This role involves frequent interaction with property owners, agricultural groups, community organizations, and internal project teams to address concerns, coordinate communications, and facilitate issue resolution.

Key Responsibilities

Landowner Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for landowners throughout transmission project development, easement acquisition, construction, and restoration.
• Establish and maintain positive relationships through proactive, consistent communication.
• Listen to and address property-specific questions, concerns, and project impacts.
• Provide timely, accurate, and understandable information regarding project activities and commitments.
• Adapt communication approaches to meet individual landowner needs while building trust and credibility.

Community Engagement

• Build relationships with local organizations, agricultural groups, chambers of commerce, civic leaders, Farm Bureau representatives, and other community stakeholders.
• Participate in community meetings, public open houses, stakeholder briefings, and outreach events.
• Support project-specific community engagement plans and outreach initiatives.
• Gather community feedback and communicate concerns to internal project teams.
• Represent the organization professionally in potentially sensitive or challenging situations.

Issue Resolution & Project Coordination

• Document landowner and community interactions, concerns, commitments, and follow-up activities.
• Collaborate with engineering, construction, environmental, legal, right-of-way, and communications teams to resolve issues.
• Track outstanding concerns and commitments through resolution.
• Identify and escalate significant stakeholder concerns or potential project risks.
• Help landowners understand project timelines, property considerations, construction activities, and restoration commitments.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Public Affairs, Business, Agriculture, Community Development, Political Science, or a related field; equivalent experience will be considered.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in stakeholder engagement, community relations, customer service, public affairs, account management, project coordination, right-of-way, real estate, outreach, or a related field.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
• Excellent verbal, written, and public speaking skills.
• Demonstrated conflict-resolution and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to explain complex or technical information clearly to nontechnical audiences.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Professionalism, sound judgment, and discretion when handling sensitive situations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Valid driver's license and ability to use a personal vehicle for work-related travel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in electric utilities, energy, infrastructure, real estate, agriculture, or construction.
• Experience working directly with landowners on property-related concerns, easements, or right-of-way matters.
• Familiarity with electric transmission projects, permitting, siting, or construction processes.
• Experience supporting public infrastructure or capital improvement projects.
• Experience engaging with rural communities, farmers, or agricultural organizations.
• Familiarity with CRM, case management, or stakeholder tracking systems.

Work Environment & Travel

• Frequent travel throughout the assigned Indiana service territory, extending to the Michigan border.
• No overnight travel required.
• Must be comfortable visiting private properties and active construction sites.
• Ability to attend occasional evening community meetings and public events.
• Candidates near Fort Wayne or Avilla are preferred, although other locations within the service territory may be considered.
• Personal vehicle required for travel.