This Communications & Legislative Specialist is part of the Member Services Team and responsible for supporting the Agency and Association efforts to promote, implement and maintain internal and external communications efforts serving to develop an overall communications strategy for the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA), the Illinois Public Energy Agency (IPEA), and the Illinois Municipal Utilities Association (IMUA). This individual reports to the Vice President of Government Affairs and Member Services.
1. Work closely with the VP of Government Affairs & Member Services on legislative tracking and advocacy. This includes assisting in planning, identifying issues of interest, outreach to IMEA/IPEA/IMUA members and to members of the General Assembly. Efforts will include helping to develop background, strategy and input on legislation, as well as communicate the organizations’ positions.
2. Work as part of a team to develop general communications materials and provide support in other activities and issues as needed for use by the Agencies and the Association related to communications, public relations, organizational development, and legislative/regulatory advocacy. Develop program specific communication materials to highlight programs available to Agency and Association members.
3. Participate and represent the Agency/Association in relevant trade organization meetings.
4. Develop communications content for both print and Web including marketing efforts, website content, brochures, weekly newsletters, annual reports, social media materials, presentation materials, and media releases.
5. Create content for a communication and messaging strategy that includes the build out and maintenance of IMEA/IPEA/IMUA social media presence, as well as any advocacy or outreach campaigns that align with legislative, regulatory, or other issues of interest to public power.
6. Organize initiatives and plan events or press conferences, such as ribbon cuttings, etc.
7. Assure that the agency’s messaging and production standards are clear and consistent across all media platforms.
8. Requires travel to member communities, as well as limited travel to locations outside of the State.
9. Other duties as assigned to facilitate the effective operation of IMEA, IPEA and IMUA.
Requirements:
· Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, English, public relations, journalism, graphic design or other related field
· Ability to form, execute, and evaluate a communications plan that targets audiences appropriately
· Desired 4 + years of experience working in marketing, communications, or related fields
· Experience with or background in energy issues or association-related work preferred
· Possess a solid understanding of effective marketing and communication outreach techniques
· Knowledge and experience with social media and strong verbal and written communication skills
· Experience working with the Illinois Legislative process preferred
· Ability to communicate clearly and effectively express complex and detailed technical concepts to a variety of audiences in reports, letters, training manuals, news articles, memorandums, press releases, announcements and presentations
· Strong time-management, prioritization and organizational skills
· Ability to work independently, set priorities, and manage multiple tasks/projects simultaneously
· Working knowledge of MS Office, Canva; photo and video-editing software is an asset
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $85,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Family leave
- Flexible spending account
Experience level:
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
Work setting:
Experience:
- Public speaking: 1 year (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
- Springfield, IL 62711 (Required)
Work Location: In person