Senior Policy and Government Affairs Specialist

Vicinity Energy Overview

Vicinity Energy is North America’s largest provider of district energy solutions, offering low-carbon energy to many iconic buildings in the skylines of Boston, Cambridge, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and other U.S. cities. As a member of the communities we serve, Vicinity understands the critical role we play in reducing climate change impacts and leading decarbonization efforts. We are committed to achieving net zero emissions and eliminating reliance on fossil fuels. To meet these ambitious goals, we seek the best and brightest minds to join our team—not only for the benefit of our company but for our customers, communities, and planet.

Job Summary

Vicinity Energy is seeking a motivated individual to join our team as Senior Policy and Government Affairs Specialist. This role supports the company’s strategic growth and sustainability objectives by monitoring legislative and policy developments, formulating government affairs strategies, and influencing public policy.

Reporting to the Vice President of Government Affairs, the Senior Specialist will work closely with the Chief Sustainability Officer, the Chief Customer Officer, and other internal teams to communicate Vicinity’s mission effectively to public officials. This position will focus on enabling Vicinity to expand its footprint and lead urban decarbonization efforts.

Location: Baltimore, MD
Employment Type: Full-time, exempt
Compensation: $95,000–$135,000 annually, plus a 15% bonus target

Responsibilities

Positioning

• Analyze the political landscape to identify advantageous policies and trends that may impact Vicinity positively or negatively.
• Develop a deep understanding of Vicinity’s offerings, customer goals, and value proposition to assess legislative or regulatory impacts.
• Create and implement state and local government relations engagement plans.
• Set legislative goals and draft policy proposals in collaboration with Vicinity’s leadership.
• Draft public comments, letters, and other official documents.
• Ensure alignment among internal stakeholders for key policy and stakeholder engagements.
• Drive Vicinity’s policy priorities around energy issues in Baltimore and Annapolis.

Stakeholder/Community Engagement

• Engage with government officials, policymakers, and stakeholders to advocate for Vicinity’s legislative goals.
• Evaluate industry organization memberships and sponsorship opportunities.
• Foster relationships with Baltimore’s local and environmental community, ensuring transparency and grassroots support for initiatives.
• Organize community events, volunteer activities, and outreach strategies to build trust.

Research

• Conduct research on legislative and regulatory developments.
• Identify key stakeholders and develop tailored engagement plans.

Communications

• Collaborate with marketing and communications teams to ensure consistent messaging.
• Support strategic communications around thought leadership and industry engagement.
• Present policy priorities and progress to senior leadership.

Thought Leadership

• Represent Vicinity Energy as a spokesperson at external events.
• Identify speaking opportunities for leadership and subject matter experts.
• Support media engagements to promote aligned messaging.
• Establish and maintain a speakers bureau to support policy initiatives.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Environmental Policy, Business, or related field.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in public policy; experience in government, energy, or environmental policy is a plus.

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong background or ability to quickly gain expertise in district energy and climate policy.
• Passion for clean energy and sustainability.
• Superior writing, public speaking, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders and leadership.
• Research skills for navigating legislative and regulatory materials.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, CRM platforms, and video/telecommunication tools (e.g., MS Teams, Zoom).
• Organized, collaborative, and able to meet deadlines independently.

Benefits

• Personal Leave: FMLA up to 12 weeks (nonpaid benefit upon approval).
• Paid Time Off (PTO): 120 hours annually, accrued per pay period.
• Sick Leave: 40 hours per calendar year, prorated by hire date.
• Parental Leave: 100% pay for up to 160 hours, must be used in weekly increments.
• Holidays: 7 paid holidays and 40 floating holiday hours annually.
• 401(k) Plan: Includes a Roth option with matching contributions.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Vicinity Energy is committed to fostering an inclusive environment that values diversity. We encourage candidates to apply even if they do not meet every listed qualification. Creativity, innovation, and successful teams thrive on diverse perspectives.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO): Vicinity Energy provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disability status, or genetic information.

Learn more here