• Job Description

  Req#: ENVIR005041

  Closes: August 11, 2024
  Starting Range: $71,741 to $106,174
  Full Range: $71,741 to $118,425

  Job Description

  As a part of Avista’s environmental compliance team, the Environmental Specialist/Scientist in this role is responsible for broad environmental regulatory support for Avista’s thermal generation resources, including Air Quality permitting and compliance, as well as solid & hazardous waste and water quality management associated with thermal generation resources. This role may also undertake other areas of environmental compliance in support of broader utility operations. The thermal support specialist will oversee consultant and contractor work and coordinate and communicate with numerous internal and external stakeholders.

  The Specialist/Scientist will promote a high level of environmental performance by designing, implementing, coordinating, and maintaining programs. Applies experience, knowledge, and training to implement measures consistent with environmental policy. Assists Avista by providing environmental management including activities such as compliance monitoring and reporting, project analysis and permitting, environmental auditing, risk assessment and communication, regulatory policy review and project management. Depending on qualifications and years of experience specialist/scientist will be hired into one of three levels.

  Preferred Experience Includes:

  Field experience at a utility or other industrial facilities and demonstrated capacity to identify, communicate and vet environmental compliance requirements with facility managers, project managers, engineers, construction crews, and various regulators.

  • Experience in planning, developing, and negotiating air permits (NSR and Title V) for new and existing sources and associated compliance tracking (Acid Rain), analysis and reporting for electric generating units.
  • Experience in multi-media regulatory tracking, analysis and compliance reporting for multi-state electric utilities preferred. Ability to interpret existing and review proposed regulations essential.
  • Understanding of and practice in the Clean Air Act and related local, state and federal regulations, as well as one or more of additional major regulatory areas, such as those related to water quality, solid & hazardous waste management, hazardous site cleanup or other areas.
  • Understanding of WA, ID, OR and MT state environmental compliance requirements.

  Requirements

  • Bachelor’s Degree from four-year college or university in an applicable field, such as biology, geology, chemistry, fisheries, wildlife, recreation, environmental science, or related field.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships and to communicate clearly is essential.
  • Computer skills proficiency required including standard office software as well as GIS or other specialized applications.
  • Excellent organizational and communication skills, with proficiency in writing/grammar.

  Environmental Scientist II

  • Three to six years of professional experience.
  • Demonstrates understanding of fundamental concepts, practices and procedures of particular field of specialization.
  • Comfortable in office and field situations representing the company and interacting with a wide variety of utility staff, agency regulators, tribes, and other stakeholders.

  Environmental Scientist III

  • Six or more years of professional experience.
  • Applies a comprehensive and advanced knowledge of a particular field of specialization in achieving organization compliance.
  • Capable of reading and interpreting complex regulations, case law and related information.
  • Demonstrates broad knowledge of multiple environmental disciplines and applies that knowledge in managing environmental programs.
  • Knowledge of budgeting and business procedures, as well as knowledge of gas/electric utility industry.
  • Comfortable in office and field situations representing the company and interacting with a wide variety of utility staff, agency regulators, tribes, and other stakeholders.

  Other combinations and education and experience may be considered.

  To Apply
  We encourage you to apply as many of our positions have step progressions to account for an incoming employee’s various levels of knowledge, skills, and experience.

  Complete an online application and attach your resume and cover letter to your profile. All documents must be attached to your application at the time of submitting your application for review. No documents can be attached after you click "Submit".

  Benefits
  At Avista, we believe our employees are essential. Through them we deliver value to our customers and the communities we serve. The physical, mental, and financial health and well-being of our employees and their families are important to us. We are committed to offering a comprehensive total rewards program comprised of an externally competitive, internally equitable compensation structure and a benefits package that allows us to retain and attract a diverse, engaged, and skilled workforce. Our benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage, retirement benefits, incentive plans, wellness resources, time-off programs and much more. In addition to our total rewards program, the Pacific Northwest offers abundant outdoor recreation, four distinct seasons, and all the amenities and activities an individual or family might be interested in. To learn more, please visit our benefits website at https://avistabenefits.com/.

  Pre-employment screening requirements
  Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a drug test, background check and motor vehicle records review.

  Avista’s Commitment to Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action
  Avista is a safe, inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds, and we are committed to Equal Opportunity Employment, Affirmative Action efforts, and Equity, Inclusion and Diversity. We strongly encourage applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, protected veterans, and all others. All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, sensory, mental or physical disability (unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification), Veteran status or any other classification protected by nondiscrimination laws.

  Equity and diversity in our workplace is important to us. Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here. Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you require any special accommodations to participate fully in our recruitment process. Avista will make reasonable accommodation to assist a qualified person with a disability in the job application, interview process, and to perform the essential functions of the job whenever possible, where undue hardship would not be created for Avista. Please contact us at humanresources@avistacorp.com if you would like assistance.

  Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

  The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

• About the company

  Avista Corporation is an American energy company. Avista generates and transmits electricity and distributes natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers.

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