What are the responsibilities and job description for the Internal Communications Specialist position at Rappahannock Electric Cooperative?
OVERVIEW
The Internal Communications Specialist is responsible for creating REC’s internal communications to keep employees informed and engaged. This role focuses on creating and distributing content that enhances employee understanding of REC’s goals, values, and initiatives.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Internal Content Creation:
• Create content for internal communications platforms, including Powerlines, employee emails, and REC One.
• Collaborate with departments, including Human Resources and Safety to ensure consistent messaging and alignment with REC’s internal goals.
Employee Engagement:
• Develop and execute communication strategies to enhance employee engagement and awareness of key initiatives.
• Coordinate internal communication efforts around employee events, corporate culture initiatives, and internal training programs.
Content Creation & Management:
• Write, edit, and publish content for internal communications channels, ensuring content aligns with REC’s strategic goals. This includes internal newsletters, emails, employee bulletins, employee website and/or Intranet, internal digital signage and other platforms as introduced for internal communication.
• Coordinate and develop production schedules for internal communications across multiple channels, ensuring timely delivery and accuracy.
• Facilitate editorial plans for internal communications that align with the overall communications strategy. • Write and edit special internal communications for key events, announcements, and emergencies.
• Assist with content development for internal presentations, speeches, and town halls to ensure consistent messaging and tone from leadership to staff. • Serve as a primary point of contact for internal crisis communication, ensuring employees stay informed during emergencies or disruptions.
• Develop preemptive internal communication strategies and templates for use in crisis or emergency situations.
Collaboration:
• Work closely with REC management to ensure all internal messaging reflects REC’s goals, policies, and values.
• Maintain strong relationships with internal departments to ensure the smooth flow of information throughout the organization.
• Support leadership by developing internal messaging and provide communications support for leadership updates, announcements, and strategic goals.
• Support internal communication efforts during organizational changes (such as restructuring, new policies, or leadership changes), by creating company-wide messages to ensure clarity and transparency across the organization.
• Support business initiatives by developing communications for critical projects, such as IT system changes or new internal tools, to ensure smooth adoption and minimal disruption.
Proofreading & Quality Control:
• Ensure high quality and consistency in all internal communications, working within mutually agreed deadlines to correct proofs and finalize content.
• Adhere to brand standards for REC and its affiliates.
Content Analysis & Metrics:
• Monitor and report on the performance and effectiveness of internal communications through metrics such as employee engagement, open rates, and feedback.
• Use analytics to identify gaps in internal communication and propose improvements based on data-driven insights.
• Use employee feedback to refine internal communications strategies and improve overall engagement.
• Other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, or related field or an equivalent combination of training and relevant experience. One year of experience is preferred.
Must possess strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills to create clear and concise internal communications. Must have strong communication skills with experience creating content for internal platforms and across differences in employee roles. Must have experience in developing and coordinating content across multiple internal communication channels, such as newsletters, emails, and internal portals.
Must have the ability to work effectively with internal departments to align communication strategies with company goals. Must have the ability to maintain good rapport with REC employees and management to facilitate timely, effective communication within the organization.
Must have the ability to think strategically about how internal communications align with the broader goals of the organization, ensuring that messages help drive the cooperative’s mission, vision, and values. Must have the ability to anticipate communication needs and proactively create plans to address them. Must have the ability to creatively resolve communication challenges and come up with innovative ways to engage employees. Must have the ability to analyze feedback and issues to continuously improve the communication process and content.
Must possess the understanding of change management principles and how internal communications can facilitate organizational transitions smoothly and effectively. Must have the ability to communicate complex changes in a clear and empathetic manner, ensuring employees are informed and confident about upcoming changes.
Must have the ability to act quickly and effectively during crises to inform and reassure employees, maintaining transparency and calm. Must have experience with developing and implementing internal communications plans for emergency scenarios, including real-time updates.
Must possess strong interpersonal skills to build relationships with internal stakeholders at all levels of the organization. Must have the ability to navigate sensitive issues, handle confidential matters, and address employee concerns with empathy and tact.
Must have expertise in managing internal communication platforms, including intranets, employee portals, and collaboration tools (such as Microsoft Teams, Slack, etc.). Must have experience using data analytics to measure the success of internal communications and adapting strategies based on data-driven insights.
Most work will be done at the Fredericksburg office with some at district offices or in the field under any weather conditions. Occasional travel for activities at other offices, interviews or coverage of work-related activities performed by other employees, photo shoots, companywide events, media engagements and community events. Regular working hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; flexibility in work hours is required, especially during media events, crisis communications, or emergencies. In cases of outages or emergencies, work availability may be 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Applicants: Use our https://www.myrec.coop/careers to apply for the opportunity. Please indicate the Job Posting ID #49FB09112025