At La Plata Electric Association, our mission is to provide our members safe, reliable electricity at the lowest reasonable cost while being environmentally responsible.  We are shaping the future by building trustworthy community partnerships as an innovative, forward-thinking industry leader, delivering excellence in our member-owned cooperative.

Summary

The Community Outreach Specialist helps LPEA successfully interact with the local and regional community. The position ensures that LPEA is engaged with key publics throughout its service territory to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes. Duties include coordinating events and event participation, managing LPEA’s grant, scholarship, and electric safety education programs, and supporting the co-op's broader communication and outreach goals.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Coordinate LPEA special events such as Member Appreciation Lunches, networking events, and town hall meetings. Pitch, schedule, and coordinate LPEA’s presence in community events and conferences to boost engagement with our membership and meet them where they are.
  • Coordinate and facilitate LPEA’s scholarship program, including promotion, selection committee management, application management, candidate selection, and financial administration.
  • Coordinate LPEA’s grant programs, including promotion, application processing, and administrative/financial administration.
  • Coordinate LPEA’s electric safety program, including promotion, scheduling, and presentation.
  • Support LPEA’s efforts to connect with, and understand the needs of, its membership including regular membership surveys, focus groups, and informal polls.
  • Support the broader efforts of the communication team by drafting and editing publications, managing local print and radio advertising, pitching stories to the media, writing and voicing radio ad copy, updating the website, posting on social media, designing digital marketing emails, conducting photography/videography assignments, and completing other tasks as needed.
  • Coordinate internal communication among LPEA’s 100+ employees in Durango and Pagosa Springs. Support employee engagement activities as required.

Qualifications

  • Must have a bachelor’s or associate degree and at least two years of experience in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, or related field. A combination of relevant experience and education can be used to meet this requirement.
  • Must be familiar with LPEA’s service territory and the non-profit and for-profit organizations and groups within it.
  • Must have public speaking and presentation skills and experience in stakeholder engagement.
  • Must be proficient with Microsoft Office products, including Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel, Planner, and Teams.
  • Experience with content management systems and Adobe create suite preferred.
  • Must have a positive, collaborative, and team-oriented attitude.
  • Must be adaptable, flexible, creative, and able to work under tight deadlines.
  • Physical demands are an essential function of this job. The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
  • Must have a valid Colorado Driver’s License.

Compensation

Annual salary $54,054-$65,823

Benefits

  • Medical Insurance
  • Dental & Vision Insurance
  • Paid Vacation
  • Personal Leave
  • Sick Time
  • 401(k)
  • Health Club Reimbursement
  • Education Assistance
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled and veterans.

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