Community Engagement Summer Associate

Job Description | Community Engagement Summer Associate 

About Us: 

East Point Energy is a development firm focused on the origination, construction, and operation of energy storage projects. Our team is currently developing gigawatts of energy storage projects throughout the country, helping to transform the grid into a renewable, resilient, and affordable system for generations to come. East Point is a wholly owned subsidiary of Equinor, a broad international energy company committed to long-term value creation in a low-carbon future. 

East Point’s nimble team is comprised of hard-working, strategic problem solvers who are passionate about sustainability. We are technology and contractor agnostic, allowing us to find the best solution for each project. The firm’s executive team founded East Point in 2018, bringing decades of combined energy development experience and over 1.8 gigawatts of solar, wind, and energy storage projects currently in operation across the United States. Success for East Point is measured by delivering affordable energy storage solutions that benefit the grid, communities, and our environment. 

East Point is committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes our company stronger. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for a job unless they feel they are fully qualified in every way. We also know that sometimes the best candidates do not check every box. If you are interested in learning more, we would love to hear from you. 

Title: Community Engagement Summer Associate 

The Community Development Summer Associate is responsible for supporting the Community Engagement Manager and the Project Development team in understanding the needs of and effectively connecting with the communities in which our projects are sited, as well as supporting our Project Developers as we develop grid-scale energy storage projects.   

Roles & Responsibilities:  

• Conduct due diligence on the community of proposed and/or current site locations in various markets; diligence including, but not limited to, power mapping (decision makers, other public officials, influential community members, and local advocacy groups), mapping of local permitting processes, and community needs 
• Build outreach plans to engage, build relationships, and promote understanding and support for the company’s projects with community members referenced in community due diligence 
• Assist with the development of community engagement strategies to inform, educate, and involve local residents and community groups regarding the company’s projects 
• Assist with the development and maintenance of community engagement plans to keep the locality informed on the project’s progress, monitor community-level dialogue regarding the project, and combat misinformation 
• Monitor media and social media in existing project areas and states 
• Collaborate with East Point marketing lead to refine/develop materials, including brochures, fact sheets, and presentations for community outreach and education purposes  
• Prospect and research target areas for new projects 
• Conduct and coordinate mailings to landowners and other project stakeholders 
• Research local discretionary and ministerial permitting requirements and project tax obligations 
• Support process improvement efforts for development tasks 
• Potential event facilitation related to projects 
• Independent research topic – presented to company in August 
• Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned 

Skills: 

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Teams, Outlook, SharePoint, One Drive, etc.) 
• Strong communication skills - written, verbal, and non-verbal 

Characteristics of an Ideal Candidate: 

• Passion for clean energy development and the environment 
• Creative problem-solving ability and solutions-oriented mindset 
• Self-starter with a desire to succeed and a focus on creating value 
• Team player and leader, proactive attitude 
• Organized, strong attention to detail 
• Ability to collaborate and provide support for projects  
• Comfortable with a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment 
• Ability to make informed decisions quickly and a bias for action 
• Integrity and accountability 

Education & Experience: 

• Currently enrolled in or recent graduate of a degree program  
• Preference for candidate with prior government, communications, political campaign, and/or coalition building experience  

Time Commitment/Travel/Other: 

• Paid; up to 40 hours/week during our regular hours of operation, 8:30AM - 5PM (30 min lunch) 
• 10-12 weeks (June-August), based on candidate availability. Preference for longer commitments 
• Potential travel to project areas  

Location: 

East Point Energy office in Charlottesville, VA  

This job description is not inclusive of all requirements of the position. Employees will perform any other duties as may be required by their manager.