Communications Specialist I

Communications Specialist Location: Fergus Falls Salary grade 10 At Otter Tail Power Company, our employees support the communities we serve by delivering reliable, affordable electricity and helping advance initiatives that contribute to long-term organizational and community success. We’re seeking a collaborative and resourceful Communications Specialist to transform complex business priorities into clear, meaningful communication that builds understanding, trust, and engagement. In this role, you’ll develop and execute communication plans for assigned business priorities, projects, and stakeholder initiatives. You’ll identify who needs information, what they need to know, who should deliver the message, which channels will be most effective, and what action or understanding is needed. From initial planning and content development through delivery, measurement, and follow-up, you’ll take ownership of communication projects and help ensure work is accurate, coordinated, and successfully completed. This position reports to External Affairs Business Partner. Key Responsibilities Develop comprehensive communication plans that identify stakeholder and audience groups, communication objectives, information needs, key messages, credible messengers, timing, channels, responsibilities, dependencies, and measures of success. Partner with leaders and subject-matter experts to understand business priorities, stakeholder perspectives, likely questions, potential barriers, and differing information needs before recommending an effective communication approach. Translate business strategy into coordinated action by recommending practical communication methods, channels, formats, sequencing, and engagement activities that support approved objectives. Create and adapt audience-focused content , including stakeholder updates, presentations, fact sheets, frequently asked questions, talking points, invitations, newsletters, web and digital content, signage, handouts, and other supporting materials. Turn complex information into clear communication by translating technical, operational, regulatory, project, policy, or business content into accurate, useful, and accessible materials for the intended audience. Manage communication projects from beginning to end , including intake, planning, content development, review, approval, production, delivery, measurement, follow-up, and closeout. Maintain organized project documentation , including communication plans, schedules, task lists, status updates, decision logs, records, and shared workspaces that provide visibility and accountability. Coordinate communication and logistical activities for stakeholder meetings, public-engagement sessions, open houses, sponsorship activities, tours, events, and other community or business initiatives. Collaborate across functions and with external partners , coordinating handoffs among business teams, communication professionals, subject-matter experts, creative resources, production partners, and vendors. Ensure communication quality and consistency by coordinating review, approval, design, production, publication, and distribution while maintaining version control, accessibility, factual accuracy, and alignment with established brand and communication standards. Identify and resolve communication risks , including missing information, conflicting messages, timing concerns, approval delays, resource constraints, and execution barriers. Escalate material stakeholder, reputation, legal, regulatory, safety, confidentiality, or policy concerns as appropriate. Monitor communication effectiveness by tracking deliverables, channel use, engagement activity, deadlines, stakeholder feedback, commitments, and follow-up actions. Support continuous improvement by compiling performance information, sharing observations and recommendations, and identifying opportunities to strengthen communication plans, materials, events, tools, vendors, and processes. Use approved technology and AI-enabled tools responsibly to support research, drafting, content adaptation, planning, summaries, checklists, and workflow efficiency while applying sound judgment and required governance. Qualifications We’re looking for a communication professional who takes initiative, brings thoughtful recommendations forward, manages details effectively, and follows work through to completion. Required qualifications include: Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, marketing, journalism, business, event management, community development, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience. Experience in communications, public relations, communication planning, community engagement, project management, marketing, customer engagement, or a related area. Demonstrated ability to develop communication plans, identify audience and stakeholder needs, select appropriate messages and channels, and prepare clear, accurate, audience-appropriate materials. Strong writing, editing, proofreading, organizational, and communication project-management skills. Ability to independently manage multiple plans, deliverables, deadlines, details, and stakeholder relationships from start to finish. Experience coordinating multi-step communication projects, meetings, events, community activities, or stakeholder-engagement initiatives. Strong interpersonal and customer-service skills, with the ability to work professionally and collaboratively with leaders, coworkers, community partners, vendors, and external stakeholders. Strong attention to detail, judgment, adaptability, follow-through, and commitment to quality. Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and the ability to learn communication, project-management, event, digital, collaboration, and AI-enabled tools. Ability to travel as needed and work occasional evenings or nonstandard hours to support meetings, events, or stakeholder activities. Preferred qualifications include: Experience in a utility, energy, infrastructure, government, public affairs, human resources, nonprofit, economic development, or another stakeholder-intensive environment. Experience supporting community relations, external affairs, public affairs, governmental affairs, human resources, major projects, or stakeholder-engagement programs. Experience coordinating public meetings, open houses, community events, sponsorships, tours, conferences, or similar activities. Experience partnering with specialists in design, print, digital content, social media, content management, or production. Familiarity with project-management platforms, content-management systems, stakeholder databases, survey tools, or communication analytics. Experience responsibly using AI-enabled tools to support research, communication planning, content development, or workflow efficiency. If you’re energized by turning complex priorities into communication that helps people understand, engage, and take action, we encourage you to apply. Join Otter Tail Power Company and use your communication expertise to support meaningful business initiatives, strengthen stakeholder relationships, and contribute to the communities we proudly serve. What We Offer We believe employment is a partnership and we expect excellence from our talented employees. To support our employees and help drive their career experience and goals. Competitive wage & benefit package. The expected offer for base compensation for this role is $69,000 - $96,000 annually. The actual compensation within the compensation range will vary based on factors relevant to the position. Incentive plans Employee Stock Ownership options Retirement Savings Fund with employer match Health, disability and life insurance plan options Our employees are provided training and development opportunities each year, including education reimbursement. This includes safety – one of our values and key to our success – technical, compliance and developmental training. Career development is critical to our long-term success. Otter Tail Power employees have opportunities to participate in various leadership development programs, gain access to an a la carte online leadership course catalog, receive mentorship from current leaders and more! Mental health support from the experts at SupportLinc as well as competitive vacation and sick leave to ensure employees are at their best when they’re working. To apply, visit our careers page at www.otpco.com . Applications accepted through November 13, 2026. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship at this time. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.