Government Affairs Specialist

American Electric Power•Washington, DC

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Government Affairs Coordinator will report to the Managing Director, Government Affairs and support and participate in AEP’s engagement with the U.S. Congress, including meetings with Members of Congress and their staff. This role will assist in advancing American Electric Power’s (AEP) federal policy priorities by conducting and supporting congressional outreach and engagement, monitoring legislative activity, preparing briefing materials, and coordinating internal and external engagement efforts. The Coordinator will work closely with the Federal Affairs team, internal subject matter experts, and external stakeholders to help execute AEP’s federal advocacy strategy. This role will focus primarily on congressional affairs, with limited support provided to broader team operations, including occasional federal agency, PAC-related, or administrative support as needed. This position is based out of AEP’s Washington, DC office.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in related areas of study: concentration in political science, public policy, government, communications, or a related field is preferred.
5 years related experience including knowledge of the legislative process.
Minimum 2 years with a strong preference for up to 4 years of relevant experience in congressional affairs, government relations, public policy, Capitol Hill, trade associations, or related fields.
Experience supporting legislative or policy processes preferred.
Understanding of the legislative process and congressional operations.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to synthesize policy information clearly and concisely.
Ability to work collaboratively across teams and build effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to interact professionally with external stakeholders, including congressional offices, and represent the company effectively in meetings and events.
Demonstrated interest in federal policy and public affairs.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
Must possess strong computer skills and be able to operate audio visual equipment.
Must demonstrate ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing and be able to complete a task with minimum supervision.
Must be able to effectively work with individuals internal and external to the Company.
Responsibilities and activities can have a significant impact on external customer's perception of the Company's service.
Must be proactive and able to work on projects independently or with a team.

Responsibilities

Support the Federal Affairs team’s engagement with Members of Congress and their staff, including scheduling, preparation, and follow-up for meetings and events.
Participate in and conduct meetings with congressional offices, including Members of Congress and their staff.
Monitor congressional activity, including legislation, hearings, markups, and relevant policy developments affecting AEP and the electric utility industry.
Prepare background materials, briefing documents, and summaries to support congressional advocacy efforts, including executive and senior leader meetings.
Track and maintain records of congressional meetings, stakeholder engagement, and legislative developments.
Coordinate with internal business units and subject matter experts to gather information and support policy positions and advocacy materials.
Assist in the development of presentations, reports, and other materials for internal and external audiences.
Support logistics and execution of congressional meetings, fly-ins, site visits, and other engagement opportunities.
Support participation in trade associations, coalitions, and external stakeholder engagements as directed.
Attend and support AEP PAC events and political engagement activities as directed.
Provide limited support to internal PAC-related activities and broader team operations, as needed, including event logistics or administrative backfill support.
Be responsive to internal AEP requests and maintain strong working relationships with internal colleagues.
Demonstrate the highest standards of ethical behavior and support the company’s Corporate Compliance Policy.
Assume other duties and responsibilities as assigned.