Public Engagement & Outreach Professional Job Columbus area,Ohio USA,Non-Profit & Social Impact

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

The Public Engagement & Outreach Professional helps lead the planning and delivery of meaningful, inclusive, and transparent engagement for electric transmission projects. This role builds relationships with communities, landowners, public officials, agencies, Tribal representatives, environmental justice communities, and other stakeholders throughout project planning, permitting, construction, and closeout.

Core functions of the job may include

Lead the implementation of public engagement and stakeholder outreach plans for assigned electric transmission projects or geographic regions.
Plan, manage, and facilitate open houses, workshops, public hearings, community meetings, site visits, and small-to-medium stakeholder presentations.
Develop tailored engagement content, presentations, fact sheets, newsletters, FAQs, and project communications for diverse audiences.
Translate complex technical project details (routing, schedule, impacts, benefits) into clear, accessible language.
Evaluate community feedback, identify emerging issues/trends, maintain issue logs, and propose timely response strategies.
Promote culturally appropriate, equitable, and accessible engagement practices, including outreach to historically underserved and environmental justice communities.
Coordinate across internal engineering, environmental, permitting, real estate, legal, and construction teams to align messaging and commitments.

Primary Responsibilities

Independently manage stakeholder interactions, event schedules, material preparation, and cross-functional support.
Maintain stakeholder strategies, issue-resolution plans, contact databases, and engagement metrics.
Coach less experienced outreach team members and provide quality control for their deliverables.
Coordinate with internal and external partners to align project messaging and responses to community feedback.
Represent the project with increasing independence and judgment at public or agency meetings.

Here's what you'll need

Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, public policy, environmental studies, planning, political science, community development, or a related field (or equivalent relevant experience)
4–8 years of progressive experience in stakeholder engagement, public affairs, community relations, or communications.
Demonstrated experience managing public meetings, facilitating discussions, and developing outreach materials for infrastructure projects.
Strong facilitation, negotiation, written, and verbal communication skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, stakeholder relationship management databases, and project trackers.
Valid driver’s license and ability to travel up to 25% of time for site visits, community events, and evening/weekend public meetings.

Ideally, you'll also have

Direct experience with electric transmission, utility, renewable energy, or linear infrastructure permitting processes.
Experience engaging landowners, municipal governments, elected officials, and regulatory agencies.
Deep experience with environmental justice, equity-focused engagement, or Tribal consultation.
Multilingual skills relevant to project service areas.

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about.

Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount.
Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan.
Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave.
And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $75,300.00 to $. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin,…