Summer 2024 External Affairs Intern

Southwest Power Pool (SPP) is about more than power. We’re about the power of relationships. Our employees have the opportunity to work together to ensure electricity is delivered reliably and affordably to the millions of people living in our service territory. We have been voted one of Arkansas’ Best Places to work by Arkansas Business and we are looking for a member of our team who is passionate about our mission to keep the lights on!

We have a core ideology here at SPP that we stand by: Do the right thing, for the right reason, in the right way.

Overview

The External Affairs internship will consist of 10 – 12 weeks of fulltime External Affairs work. The External Affairs Intern serves the External Affairs organization in supporting the mission of Southwest Power Pool and executing improved outcomes for all stakeholder-impacting initiatives. This position provides assistance and support to the combined External Affairs teams, as needed, including Communications and Stakeholder Affairs, Stakeholder Relations, Stakeholder Training, and Government Affairs.

The External Affairs Intern will assist the department in writing, editing, developing presentations, creating graphics, policy research and analysis, survey development and analysis, and stakeholder relations, all in alignment with SPP’s business objectives. The intern will also assist in administering the content and maintenance of SPP’s communications channels, including the organization’s corporate website SPP.org, employee intranet the Circuit, and SPP’s social media channels. In collaboration with other members of the External Affairs organization, the intern contributes to the ongoing development of the SPP brand and the enforcement and consistent application of brand standards across corporate communications.

The intern works with the External Affairs team other SPP staff to engage member companies, elected officials, regulators, prospective customers, community leaders and others in support of SPP’s overall business objectives.

A wide range of skills is preferred, including writing, public speaking, design, communications planning, web content management, policy research and analysis, public and traditional social media relations.

Essential Functions

Government Affairs

• Determine the potential impact on SPP, its members and stakeholders by independently researching, monitoring and performing analysis of proposed state and federal legislative and regulatory actions.
• Prepare fact sheets, talking points, presentations, briefings, etc. on legislative and regulatory activity, and public policy developments of interest to SPP and its members, for internal and external audiences.

Corporate Communications

• Draft and edit press releases and other messages intended for broad audiences, synthesizing complex technical information from subject matter experts and communicating it clearly and concisely based on audience research.
• Design, administer and report on the results of surveys intended to measure SPP’s organizational effectiveness, reputation, and other success metrics.
• Support special events such as committee and staff meetings, conferences, panel discussions, town halls, press conferences, and community outreach events.
• Create infographics, illustrations, charts, slides, print pieces, web graphics and other visual materials in alignment with brand standards and in support of SPP’s business objectives.

Stakeholder Relations

• Create effective outreach plans for different types of stakeholders.
• Escalate, as appropriate, issues such as delayed resolution to Customer Relations Manager for action and follow-up.
• Monitor social media, web forms and email accounts for stakeholder inquiries and coordinate with other communications staff to respond appropriately and in a timely fashion.

Stakeholder Training

• Prepare and publish meeting and training materials in compliance with SPP’s bylaws.
• Conduct thorough analyses with stakeholders prior to the development of learning experiences to ensure that the content is aligned with the need.
• Assure the maintenance and accuracy of existing online training.
• Work with the SPP Integrated Marketplace consultants to develop, design and evaluate market training for new and existing market participants.
• Measure and monitor success of market-related training programs for operations personnel.
• Accurately and thoroughly document training projects, ensuring the documentation meets all regulatory requirements.

Other

• Create reports from existing data to direct future stakeholder enhancements.

Education Requirements:

• Progress toward degree in business, communications, education/training, journalism, public affairs, marketing, graphic design, or a related field.
• GPA of 3.0 or higher

Experience Requirements:

• No experience required

Required:

• Adaptability and strong analytical skills
• Strong presentation and public speaking skills
• Strong writing and editing skills with the ability to adapt messages for various media (e.g., print, web, and social) and audiences (technical, public, etc.)
• Excellent customer service skills and the ability to build and maintain strong relationships
• Evidence of self-initiative, self-direction, motivation, as well as critical and creative thinking skills.
• Strong organizational skills
• Flexibility and the ability to function with constantly changing and multiple priorities
• Understanding of and compliance with SPP Policies and Procedures OR
• Understanding of, compliance with and enforcement of SPP Policies and Procedures

Preferred:

 Work Environment:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

 Physical and Mental Demands:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to make decisions, interpret data, and problem solve.
• The employee frequently is required to stand or sit for extended periods; use hands to operate a computer keyboard and standard office equipment.
• The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 10 pounds.
• Requires the ability to work and collaborate with managers and employees at all levels to exchange ideas, information, and opinions to facilitate the task.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:

This is a temporary position. Days and hours of workweek are Monday through Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Travel Requirement:

This position requires no travel

Should you elect to apply for this position SPP will review your qualifications and if after reviewing the qualifications and experience of all applicants, your skills and credentials meet our needs, someone from our organization may contact you. Please be advised that the time required to complete the applicant review process typically takes between 30 and 90 days, but could extend beyond that. Once the position has been filled, all applicants will be notified via email.

Southwest Power Pool is an Equal Opportunity Workplace and an Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age or any other protected category.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines “reasonable accommodation” as a change or adjustment to a job or work environment that allows a qualified individual with a disability to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of a particular job, and does not cause an undue hardship for the employer. SPP adheres to the ADA and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable a qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions.