Vicinity Energy

Auxiliary Operator

Join Vicinity Energy in Boston, Massachusetts as an Auxiliary Operator. Operate and maintain plant equipment to support low-carbon district energy solutions. This full-time role offers union membership, competitive hourly pay, and a chance to contribute to decarbonization efforts in iconic US cities.
Vicinity Energy
Vicinity Energy
Boston, Massachusetts, United States On-site Full time USD 45 per hour UTC-05:00

Vicinity Energy

Company Overview

Vicinity Energy, privately owned by Antin Infrastructure Partners

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

2020

Approximately 520 employees (source: zoominfo.com)

What They Do

Vicinity Energy is a leading U.S. district energy company specializing in the production and distribution of steam, hot water, chilled water, and carbon-free steam through underground networks to buildings and campuses (source: vicinityenergy.us). Established in 2020 following Antin Infrastructure Partners' acquisition of Veolia’s U.S. district energy assets, Vicinity operates 19 district energy systems across 12 cities nationwide, serving roughly 1,000 customers through long-term contracts (source: antin-ip.com). The company focuses on central thermal infrastructure technologies including steam plants, chilled-water systems, electric boilers, industrial-scale heat pumps, and thermal storage rather than renewable generation like solar or wind (source: wikipedia.org). Vicinity is recognized as the first U.S. provider to introduce carbon-free eSteam™, an innovative solution aimed at rapidly decarbonizing customers’ thermal loads, with initial deployments in Boston and Cambridge (source: vicinityenergy.us). Their customer base primarily includes large commercial properties and campuses located in dense urban cores, where centralized energy production improves efficiency, reliability, and reduces carbon footprints (source: zoominfo.com).

Projects & Track Record

Vicinity Energy operates several notable district energy assets across the United States. Among these is the 163 MW Grays Ferry cogeneration plant in Philadelphia, which serves over 70 million square feet of building space (source: wikipedia.org). In Cambridge, the company runs the 200 MW Kendall Cogeneration Station, also serving 70 million square feet (source: wikipedia.org). Other significant systems include the Tulsa district energy plant serving 7 million square feet, Oklahoma City’s system serving 9.9 million square feet, and Kansas City’s facility serving 11 million square feet (source: wikipedia.org). The Kent County waste-to-energy and district energy system in Grand Rapids serves 10 million square feet, while Baltimore’s system covers over 30 million square feet including major institutions like the Walters Art Museum and Mercy Medical Center (source: wikipedia.org). The Atlantic Station chilled water system in Atlanta serves 4.7 million square feet, and the Trenton district energy system serves 12 million square feet (source: wikipedia.org). Vicinity’s portfolio expanded in 2020 with acquisitions such as the Watergate Energy Collaborative Utility in Washington, D.C., and West Virginia University’s district steam system in Morgantown (source: wikipedia.org).

Recent Developments

Recent initiatives at Vicinity Energy have focused on electrification and decarbonization of thermal energy systems. In April 2022, the company launched eSteam™, marking the first U.S. innovation to electrify district energy operations using renewable thermal energy, initially deployed in Boston and Cambridge (source: wikipedia.org). In April 2023, Vicinity partnered with MAN Energy Solutions, based in Augsburg, Germany, to develop low-temperature source heat pump systems for steam generation, aiming to enhance sustainability (source: wikipedia.org). The company plans to install an industrial-scale heat pump complex at its Cambridge facility powered by renewable electricity, designed to harvest heat from the Charles River while protecting the river environment by returning water at a lower temperature (source: wikipedia.org). In November 2023, Vicinity announced the arrival of a 42 MW industrial-scale electric boiler at the Kendall Square facility in Cambridge, further advancing its electrification goals (source: wikipedia.org). The company is committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions across its operations by 2050 or sooner (source: wikipedia.org).

Working There

Vicinity Energy offers a range of roles spanning plant operations, maintenance, engineering, distribution, commercial functions, and technical trades, reflecting its operations-heavy business model (source: indeed.com). Job postings include positions such as Plant Engineer, Technician, Maintenance Mechanic, Account Manager, Operations Manager, Test Manager, and Skilled Laborer, with responsibilities covering site engineering support, project management, troubleshooting, and thermal performance monitoring (source: indeed.com). The company’s Boston headquarters and additional operating sites make the area a key hiring location, with roles requiring skills in carpentry, concrete, excavation, piping insulation, and masonry, often within unionized environments such as IUOE Local 877 (source: indeed.com). Compensation packages include competitive salaries, bonuses, personal and parental leave, paid holidays, and 401(k) plans with matching contributions, reflecting a structured benefits program (source: indeed.com). Vicinity’s culture emphasizes solving complex clean energy challenges within a niche sector that bridges utilities, industrial engineering, and building services, offering employees the opportunity to contribute to large-scale thermal utility operations and rapid decarbonization efforts (source: vicinityenergy.us).


Last updated on May 19, 2026 | Report an issue

Vicinity Energy is North America's largest provider of district energy solutions, offering low carbon energy to most of the iconic buildings you see in the skylines of Boston, Cambridge, Philadelphia, Baltimore and many other cities in the US. As a member of the communities we serve, all of us at Vicinity understand the critical role we play in reducing the impacts of climate change and being a leader in decarbonization. We are committed to net zero and eliminating our reliance on fossil fuels, but we need the best and the brightest minds on our team to help us reach our goal, not only for us as a company, but for our customers, our communities, and our planet.

Summary

Operate and maintain plant equipment. This is a full-time hourly position, reporting to the Plant Supervisor in Boston, MA. This position is a member of the Bargaining Unit Member of the IUOE, Local 877. The hourly rate for this position is $45.54.

Responsibilities

  • Take schedule readings.
  • Blow down boilers, water columns and glasses.
  • Collect water samples, perform analysis and add chemicals as required.
  • Maintain proper external cleanliness of boilers and related areas.
  • Maintain proper lubrication of equipment.
  • Keep Assistant Watch Engineer and Control Room Operator informed of changes in equipment conditions.
  • Check, clean, and change burners and fuel oil strainers.
  • Start and stop auxiliary equipment.
  • Operate soot blowers.
  • Stick oil tanks to determine levels.
  • Assist in training other Auxiliary Operators.
  • Perform other duties as required to insure continuous operation of the steam plant.
  • Assist others as required.
  • All other related duties.

Basic Qualifications

  • High School Diploma or equivalent.
  • Massachusetts 2nd Class Fireman License.
  • Valid Driver's License to operate company vehicles.

Other Qualifications

  • Must have the ability to distinguish between different shades of color and transcribe numbers accurately.

Physical Requirements

  • Must submit to company provided pre-employment physical exam and drug screening.
  • Must possess a valid driver license in good standing in order to operate a company vehicle. Must have and maintain a driving record meeting the standards of the company.
  • Required to wear a half face respirator or powered air respirators (PAPR) or proper safety procedures warrant use.
  • Required to lift and / or operate machinery, tools, etc., weighing up to 50 pounds, unassisted.
  • Required to work in confined spaces.
  • Required climbing ladders, and / or stairs.
  • Required to work in all adverse conditions, both indoors and outdoors all seasons.
  • Required to work in hot areas.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY POLICY STATEMENT Vicinity Energy is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of the Company to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

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About the role

July 15, 2026

July 15, 2026

Full time

On-site

Company

USD 45 per hour

Bioenergy

Vicinity Energy

vicinityenergy.us

  •  Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Entry-level

UTC-05:00