Community Benefits Specialist

Community Benefits Manager

Estimated Start Date: November 1, 2024

Assignment Length: 6 months

Estimated Hours Per Week: 40 hours (full-time)

Work Schedule & Time Zone: Central Time; preferred core hours 9 AM - 3 PM (flexible)

Temp to Hire: Yes

Remote or Onsite: Onsite strongly preferred (hybrid possibilities available)

Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree

Position Overview:

The Community Benefits Manager will oversee the management and execution of community benefit initiatives associated with Federal and State funded projects. The role requires a deep understanding of the 4-pillar principles governing these projects and the ability to author documentation and reports by collaborating with relevant stakeholders. The manager will engage across various business lines, including LI, H2E, AirGas, E&C, and R&D, while also partnering with community leaders, labor representatives, elected officials, and federal employees to facilitate the effective execution of publicly supported projects.

Key Responsibilities:

- Plan and manage all Community Benefits tasks tied to specific project scopes and regions.

- Initiate, manage, and actively participate in industry and regional activities, including stakeholder engagement and workforce development, particularly focused on DEIA and Justice40 initiatives.

- Cultivate and maintain relationships with key local and state stakeholders, such as council members, mayors, chamber of commerce representatives, and environmental justice organizations.

- Identify and collaborate with contractors to promote stakeholder engagement and event planning.

- Lead the establishment of community governance structures in various U.S. states.

- Develop, monitor, and report on quantitative and qualitative metrics linked to environmental justice, Justice40, DEIA, workforce, and community engagement.

- Support project teams in understanding community engagement requirements throughout the project development phase.

- Manage and optimize allocated Community Benefits funds and resources.

Qualifications:

- Bachelor’s degree in Social Services, Public Policy, or Administration.

- 10+ years of relevant experience in community engagement, with a preference for candidates with backgrounds in energy transition, policy, ESG, or environmental regulatory policies.

- Strong public speaking skills, with the ability to engage with limited support from other team members.

- Proven ability to work independently with complex social and community organizations to identify challenges and recommend solutions.

- Skilled at fostering relationships with diverse and potentially contentious stakeholders while adhering to core ethics and business principles.

- Ability to travel up to 50% of the time.

- Location: Houston, TX.

- Excellent teamwork skills, with a proven track record of influential leadership and strong interpersonal abilities.

- Capacity to navigate technical, social, and economic challenges within a matrix organization.

- Commitment to customer and community welfare.

- Experience in Corporate Social Responsibility, ESG, labor/workforce relations, or environmental regulatory policies is required.

- Knowledge of hydrogen and/or energy transition is a plus.

- Proficiency in Spanish is a plus.