Summary

Public Affairs Manager - Develops and maintains a favorable relationship with the surrounding community with combined focus on government and community affairs.

Government: Work closely with relevant government, community and/or tribal sources to persuade and influence decisions that support business goals. Develop and maintain trusting relationships with a wide range of local leaders and community organizations including but not limited to government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), local businesses and chambers, non-profits, HOAs and others; serve as the primary contact for APS with these stakeholder groups. Plan, coordinate, and direct programs to ensure a favorable climate with federal, state, tribal, county, and local governments, and agencies to influence decisions as they relate to APS policies in a specific area of focus (i.e., statewide electrical infrastructure needs, fossil generation/Four Corners Power Plan, etc.).

Community: Educate local communities on issues of importance to APS and Arizona's energy future. Continuously monitor for issues that may involve APS or APS interests and partner with other APS teams to resolve local issues and leverage opportunities. Manage APS community relief efforts during power outages, wildfires, and other emergencies. Manage APS participation and presence at local events. Leverage APS charitable contributions and major philanthropic contributions. Support APS management with community and government engagement.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelors degree in Business, Communications, Public Relations, Government Relations or related field
• PLUS minimum six (6) years' experience in government affairs, public affairs, community economic development, community relations, communications, or related industries.
• In lieu of degree, 10 years' equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must possess excellent verbal and written communication, negotiation, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to interpret business requirements and determine strategies and programs to support business needs.
• Position involves statewide travel.

Preferred Special Skill, Knowledge or Qualifications

• For Electrical Infrastructure: Experience building substantial and trusting relationships with high profile elected and appointed officials at the state, county, and local levels.
  • Substantial knowledge of/and experience with utility infrastructure, infrastructure siting, and franchise issues.
  
  

Major Accountabilities

1. Develop and maintain trusting relationships with a wide range of local leaders and community organizations including but not limited to government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), local businesses and chambers, non-profits, HOAs and others; serve as the primary contact for APS with these stakeholder groups. Regularly represent APS at civic meetings and events. Maintain frequent quality contacts with community leaders. Perform service on high-profile local boards. Develop annual plan for large or targeted communities.

2. Ensure APS maintains effective relationships/liaisons with entities at all levels of state government and/or relevant community/tribal sources to advance public awareness and influences support for plant and Fossil Generation objectives or electric transmission initiatives by directing effective communication programs.

3. Anticipate political developments to position the Company most favorably, and initiate changes through the development of coalitions, alliances, and relationships.

4. Educate local communities on issues of importance to APS and Arizonas energy future. Partner with media relations. Participate in media training. Serve as spokesperson / guest columnist, if needed. Maintain active social media presence. Maintain list of key contacts for potential calls to action around issues. Serve as guest speaker at appropriate local events.

5. Continuously monitor for issues that may involve APS or APS interests. Partner with internal business units as necessary to resolve local issues or leverage opportunities. Stay current on business initiatives with local impact, including transmission line siting, generation projects, local reliability projects, etc. Conduct periodic community needs assessments.

6. Manage APS community relief efforts during power outages, wildfires, and other emergencies. Maintain readiness to set up community relief effort and external communications on short notice. Maintain awareness of local grid operational conditions. Partner seamlessly with Customer and Energy Operations during outage events.

7. Manage APS participation and presence at local events. Develop and execute a strategy for local sponsorships.

8. Leverage APS charitable contributions. Provide recommendations to Corporate Giving and the APS Foundation on contributions requests and opportunities. Leverage major philanthropic contributions through media relations, social media, events, and other opportunities.

9. Support APS management with government and community affairs. Recommend local opportunities for APS leadership. Provide advance support for visits by senior APS executives.

Export Compliance / EEO Statement

This position may require access to and/or use of information subject to control under the Department of Energy's Part 810 Regulations (10 CFR Part 810), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730 through 774), or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter M Part 120) (collectively, 'U.S. Export Control Laws'). Therefore, some positions may require applicants to be a U.S. person, which is defined as a U.S. Citizen, a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), a Political Asylee, or a Refugee under the U.S. Export Control Laws. All applicants will be required to confirm their U.S. person or non-US person status. All information collected in this regard will only be used to ensure compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws, and will be used in full compliance with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of national origin and other factors. For positions at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Stations (PVNGS) all openings will require applicants to be a U.S. person.

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates ('Pinnacle West') maintain a continuing policy of nondiscrimination in employment. It is our policy to provide equal opportunity in all phases of the employment process and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This policy of nondiscrimination shall include, but not be limited to, recruiting, hiring, promoting, compensating, reassigning, demoting, transferring, laying off, recalling, terminating employment, and training for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, disability, age, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other classification or characteristic protected by law.

For more information on applicable equal employment regulations, please refer to EEO is the Law poster. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of every person hired to work in the United States, refer to E-Verify poster. View the employee rights and responsibilities under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

Arizona Public Service is a smoke free workplace.