Marketing and Communications Specialist, EnerStar

Company Description

EnerStar Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative that is locally owned and controlled by its members. The cooperative powers the lives of more than 5,300 homes and businesses in east-central Illinois. It operates over 1,500 miles of lines in Clark, Coles, Douglas, Edgar, and Vermilion counties. The headquarters are located in Paris, IL.

Electric cooperatives are member-owned, not-for-profit businesses that provide electricity and related services to their members. They are distinguished from investor-owned utilities by their cooperative structure, where profits are returned to members rather than shareholders. Electric co-ops were initially formed to bring power to rural areas where investor-owned utilities were not providing service. 

Here's a more detailed look at electric cooperatives:

• Member-owned:

Unlike traditional utilities, electric cooperatives are owned and controlled by the members they serve. 

• Not-for-profit:

Any margins (profits) are returned to the members, often in the form of capital credits, rather than going to shareholders. 

• Community focused:

Electric cooperatives are deeply rooted in the communities they serve, with a focus on providing reliable and affordable electricity, as well as supporting local initiatives and economic development. 

• Democratic control:

Members have a voice in the cooperative's operations through democratic member control, and elect fellow coop members to serve on the board of directors. 

• Rural focus

Electric cooperatives were instrumental in bringing electricity to rural areas where investor-owned utilities were not present. That commitment to rural communities continues today.

Position Purpose/Summary

The Marketing and Communication Specialist position plays a key role in supporting the organization's communications strategy, brand visibility, and stakeholder engagement.  Candidate will design a robust and effective marketing and communication strategy that aligns with the cooperative's strategic plan and the management's goals and creates awareness of the cooperative's business activities.

In addition to communications responsibilities, this position supports the cooperative's commitment to exceptional member service. The Marketing and Communications Specialist will serve as a back-up for member service department, assisting with inquiries as needed, service concerns, and outreach. Some regional and national travel and occasional weekend availability are required for this role.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general content for the performance of this position. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of essential duties, responsibilities, and requirements.

Social Media Management

• Develop, schedule, and publish engaging content across the organization's social media platforms including linked in.
• Monitor social media channels, respond to comments and messages in a timely and professional manner, and engage with followers and partner organizations.
• Track and analyze social media performance metrics; prepare regular reports and recommend adjustments to improve reach and engagement.
• Maintain a consistent brand voice and visual identity across all social platforms in alignment with organizational standards.

Writing, Press Releases & Internal Corporate Communications

• Draft, edit, and distribute press releases, media alerts, and public statements for organizational announcements, programs, and events.
• Write and edit a wide range of communications materials including newsletters, email campaigns, talking points, and annual report content.
• Maintain relationships with local and regional media contacts, coordinate media inquiries and support press outreach efforts.
• Ensure all written communications are accurate, professionally presented, grammatically correct, and aligned with organizational messaging. May also coordinate with internal management team on various topics.

Video Production & Digital Content

• Conceptualize, film, and edit short-form video content for social media, internal communications, and organizational promotions.
• Support the development of video content for events, presentations, and awareness campaigns using accessible editing tools (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, CapCut, or Canva Video).
• Assist with photography and visual asset management for organizational use across digital and print platforms.

Website Content Management

• Maintain and regularly update the organization's website using a content management system (CMS), HTML knowledge is not required.
• Ensure website content is accurate, current, visually consistent, and reflective of organizational priorities and events.
• Coordinate with the management team to gather content updates and post new materials including event announcements, news articles, and cooperative values and other.
• Will perform a comprehensive traffic analysis of the website and will review web analytics.

Public Speaking & Representation

• Represent the organization at community events, public forums, and outreach activities as assigned.
• Deliver prepared remarks, introductions, or presentations to small and mid-sized audiences on behalf of the organization.
• Assist in developing talking points, scripts, and presentation materials for organizational leadership and staff.

Annual Meeting & Corporate Event Planning

• Organize in planning, coordinating, and executing the organization's annual meeting and other corporate events including the CEO annual report.
• Develop and distribute event communications such as save-the-dates, invitations, programs, and post-event follow-up materials.

Member Services & Cooperative Support

• May back-up the member services department to assist with cooperative members, responding to inquiries, concerns, and service requests in a professional, courteous, and timely manner.
• Coordinate member satisfaction initiatives by gathering feedback, identifying recurring concerns, and communicating member needs to appropriate internal departments.
• Assist in developing member-facing communications, outreach materials, and educational content that promotes cooperative programs, services, and member benefits.
• Represent the cooperative at regional and national member events, conferences, and industry convenings as assigned; some travel will be required.
• Support cooperative operations during major outage events or severe weather emergencies, which may include working outside of normal business hours, on weekends, or on short notice to assist with member communications, public information, and on-the-ground coordination.
• Collaborate with operations, engineering, and leadership staff during emergency response situations to ensure accurate, timely, and compassionate communications are delivered to affected members.
• Assist with post-event member outreach and satisfaction follow-up following service disruptions or emergency events.

Qualifications

• The requirements below are representative of the education, knowledge, skill and or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual to perform the essential functions of the job.

Requirements and Competencies

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, or a closely related field, OR equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience may be considered.
• Experience creating and editing video content using any video editing software or application.
• Familiarity with design tools such as Canva or Adobe Creative Suite.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Professional demeanor and comfort speaking or presenting in front of small to mid-sized audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a genuine commitment to member/customer service and satisfaction.
• Ability and willingness to travel regionally and nationally as required by car or air, and to be available on weekends or during off-hours for emergency cooperative support.
• Must have a valid/current driver’s license.

Computer Skills

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products
• Proficiency with editing and scheduling software in all aspects of communications.

• Ability to operate various in-house software programs that are specific to the job.

Physical Demands

• Primarily sit at desk with some standing, kneeling, bending, reaching, twisting, and lifting typically 25 pounds and under.
• Regularly use hands and fingers to control and feel to perform a variety of functions.
• Will do some field work in all types of weather conditions for communications and photography.

Work Environment

• Noise level is low.
• Nearly all work is performed indoors.

Language Skills

• Ability to read and write
• Ability to speak to and hear members and other employees

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

A comprehensive benefit package is available.  This is not an exhaustive list:

* 401K-traditional and Roth-employer and employee eontributions

* Defined Pension-employer contributes for employee

*Clothing allowance

*Health, dental and vision insurance

*11 Holidays per year

*Life insurance paid for by EnerStar with more available with employee payroll deduction 

*Very generous vacation and sick leave

*and much more