General Summary

Work as a team member to lead Dakota Electric Association's print and digital communication efforts to improve and maintain the cooperative's image and support the cooperative's strategic initiatives including member engagement. 

Responsibilities

1. Write, design and coordinate the production of the digital and print versions of Circuits, Dakota Electric’s monthly member newsletter.
2. Write, edit and manage content for Dakota Electric’s website. Evaluate and implement new website initiatives. Manage vendor relationship and work with vendor to address website issues and improvements.
3. Write, design and coordinate the production of print materials, including internal forms, sell sheets, rebate forms, flyers, direct mail, bill inserts, posters, event invitations and other communication pieces as needed.
4. Create and implement digital communication strategies, including videos, social media posts and website projects to help the cooperative engage members online.
5. Assist other departments with developing and curating content and editing text for public-facing communication projects.
6. Evaluate new and existing communication channels to develop the most effective mix of communication methods for members, employees and other audiences.
7. Back up and assist communication department team members, including in emergency and outage communication situations.
8. Collaborate with Energy and Member Services staff to develop the annual strategic marketing communication plan, including targeted marketing/communications campaigns to achieve organizational goals.
9. Coordinate the annual member satisfaction survey.
10. Work with Energy Services staff to develop and implement programs focused on increasing kWh sales and meet energy-savings goals.
11. Establish and maintain good relationships with cooperative customers, developers, builders, realtors and the general public.
12. Collaborate with team members to develop, manage and implement organizational advertising campaigns.
13. Assist with the development and management of the marketing/communications budget.
14. Work with Great River Energy staff to create, develop and implement strategic marketing and communication projects for co-op members.
15. Comply with established Dakota Electric safety and operating rules, policies, procedures and guidelines. Be responsible for reporting any unsafe practices and/or hazards to a supervisor.

Supervision/Direction of Others

None

Position Specifications

Educational Experience

Bachelor’s degree in journalism/communications, marketing or related field and minimum of two years’ experience in journalism or marketing/communications.

Key Competencies

1. Must be proficient with Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Mac OS. In addition, must be familiar with Microsoft 365 applications.
2. Must be proficient with website content management, digital analytics systems and digital media platforms.
3. Must be able to develop publications, collateral materials and digital communication pieces.
4. Must be an effective speaker, writer, editor and graphic designer.
5. Must have a general working knowledge of printing principles, video editing and photography.
6. Must effectively collaborate as part of a team to accomplish company goals and objectives.
7. Must be able to quickly learn, evaluate and implement new technologies.
8. Must be able to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
9. Must be able to work amicably with all types of people in a wide variety of circumstances.
10. Must understand and be able to implement strategic marketing and communication efforts.
11. Must maintain a valid Minnesota driver’s license.

Working Conditions

1. May need to work additional hours and be involved with crisis management when necessary.
2. Although much of the communications specialist’s work will be performed in the office environment, it shall be necessary, also, for this employee to operate in the industrial portions of the cooperative’s facilities, and to travel in and beyond the cooperative’s service territory on occasion.
3. This employee will be faced with multiple deadlines and projects simultaneously.

Physical Demands

The physical demands for this position are identified on the Office/Professional template.

(All duties should be considered essential functions per the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)