What are the responsibilities and job description for the Hydro Compliance Specialist position at Avista?
Closes: April 20, 2026
Job Description
This role is critical to ensuring the safety and regulatory compliance of Avista’s dams—work that directly protects people, communities, and essential infrastructure. The position leads ongoing monitoring, coordination, and reporting of federal and state dam safety requirements, ensuring all regulatory commitments are met accurately, clearly, and on time.
You will develop and maintain deep expertise in dam safety compliance, documentation standards, personnel requirements, and record‑keeping practices. Strong writing skills are essential, as you will be responsible for preparing clear, precise, and well‑organized regulatory filings, reports, and correspondence that meet strict agency standards.
Acting as a trusted internal resource, you’ll help Avista employees understand and apply regulatory obligations while coordinating and communicating with state and federal agencies as needed. Success in this role depends on exceptional attention to detail, the ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into clear written guidance, and effective collaboration across departments to ensure consistency, accuracy, and adherence to deadlines.
As a key member of the interdepartmental Dam Safety Core Team, you will facilitate communication, support problem‑solving efforts, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across the organization.
Responsibilities
Hydro Compliance Specialist:
Sr. Hydro Compliance Specialist
Hiring Range: $88,336 to $114,838
Hybrid work options are available for this role. The successful candidate will be required to work at our Spokane, Washington headquarters at least 3 days per week including Mondays and Tuesdays with additional day(s) determined by the manager.
To Apply
We encourage you to apply as many of our positions have multiple levels to account for an incoming employee’s various 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".
Total Rewards
At Avista, our employees are the foundation of our success. Their dedication drives the value we deliver to our customers and communities. That’s why we prioritize the physical, mental, and financial well-being of our team members and their families.
We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards program designed to support every stage of life and career. Our offerings include:
We are committed to maintaining a competitive and equitable total rewards package that attracts and retains a diverse, skilled, and engaged workforce.
In compliance with state laws, we provide the full salary range for each position, along with the typical hiring range based on qualifications, experience, and internal equity. The full salary range for this position is $68,027 to $141,339. Questions regarding compliance with this requirement can be directed to humanresources@avistacorp.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
Avista is a safe, inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds, and we are committed to Equal Opportunity Employment. 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.
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.
Job Description
This role is critical to ensuring the safety and regulatory compliance of Avista’s dams—work that directly protects people, communities, and essential infrastructure. The position leads ongoing monitoring, coordination, and reporting of federal and state dam safety requirements, ensuring all regulatory commitments are met accurately, clearly, and on time.
You will develop and maintain deep expertise in dam safety compliance, documentation standards, personnel requirements, and record‑keeping practices. Strong writing skills are essential, as you will be responsible for preparing clear, precise, and well‑organized regulatory filings, reports, and correspondence that meet strict agency standards.
Acting as a trusted internal resource, you’ll help Avista employees understand and apply regulatory obligations while coordinating and communicating with state and federal agencies as needed. Success in this role depends on exceptional attention to detail, the ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into clear written guidance, and effective collaboration across departments to ensure consistency, accuracy, and adherence to deadlines.
As a key member of the interdepartmental Dam Safety Core Team, you will facilitate communication, support problem‑solving efforts, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across the organization.
Responsibilities
- Monitor and manage dam safety compliance to ensure adherence to federal and state regulatory requirements, proactively identifying and addressing compliance risks.
- Maintain expert knowledge of evolving hydro regulations, submittal standards, and compliance obligations; document, track, and communicate requirements, deadlines, dependencies, and key regulatory correspondence.
- Lead and coordinate the preparation, review, drafting, and submittal of regulatory filings, exhibits, plans, and records in collaboration with engineers, project managers, consultants, and subject matter experts, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and timeliness.
- Serve as the primary internal point of contact for regulatory audits, investigations, and non compliance matters, including supporting root cause analysis and recommending corrective actions.
- Manage and maintain hydro compliance records and tracking systems, including record retention, reporting, system troubleshooting, and partnering with Enterprise Technology to enhance tools and processes.
- Develop, standardize, and document compliance templates, procedures, and workflows; initiate awareness of upcoming compliance tasks and coordinate resolution of issues to meet regulatory obligations.
- Support and deliver hydro compliance education, training, emergency preparedness activities, and stakeholder outreach, including workshops, exercises, presentations, and reporting of compliance and environmental metrics.
Hydro Compliance Specialist:
- Requires an Associates degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university or equivalent certification from business school in business, accounting, or related field.
- Minimum of three (3) years of demonstrated experience in compliance, legal, accounting, document management/retention or related office environments.
- Adaptable and effective interpersonal and communication skills to work with all organizational levels, senior leaders, and external organizations.
- Ability to be flexible to changing priorities.
- Individual must possess an intermediate to advanced knowledge of computer software, such as MS Suite, shared drives, tracking systems, etc.
Sr. Hydro Compliance Specialist
- Requires a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university in business, accounting, legal/compliance or related field.
- Minimum five (5) years of demonstrated experience in compliance, legal, accounting, document management/retention or related office environments, with at least two years in direct regulatory compliance roles required.
- Demonstrated technical and practical knowledge of hydro dams, regulations, documents, etc., preferred.
- Adaptable and effective interpersonal and communication skills to work with all organizational levels, senior leaders, and external organizations.
- Effective and flexible communication skills including verbal, written and presentations.
- Demonstrated ability to transition easily between tasks, responding quickly and efficiently to changing priorities.
- Individual must possess an intermediate to advanced knowledge of computer software, such as MS Suite, shared drives, tracking systems, etc.
Hiring Range: $88,336 to $114,838
Hybrid work options are available for this role. The successful candidate will be required to work at our Spokane, Washington headquarters at least 3 days per week including Mondays and Tuesdays with additional day(s) determined by the manager.
To Apply
We encourage you to apply as many of our positions have multiple levels to account for an incoming employee’s various 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".
Total Rewards
At Avista, our employees are the foundation of our success. Their dedication drives the value we deliver to our customers and communities. That’s why we prioritize the physical, mental, and financial well-being of our team members and their families.
We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards program designed to support every stage of life and career. Our offerings include:
- Affordable healthcare options including medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Retirement benefits with an enhanced 401(k) match
- Incentive programs rewarding performance and contributions
- Competitive paid time off including holidays, personal days, and vacation
- Life and disability insurance for added peace of mind
- Wellness resources supporting mental and physical health
- Education and development support including tuition assistance
- Community giving programs encouraging employee engagement and impact
- Other optional benefits from Legal insurance, Pet insurance, and more (Eligibility subject to Bargaining Unit affiliation)
We are committed to maintaining a competitive and equitable total rewards package that attracts and retains a diverse, skilled, and engaged workforce.
In compliance with state laws, we provide the full salary range for each position, along with the typical hiring range based on qualifications, experience, and internal equity. The full salary range for this position is $68,027 to $141,339. Questions regarding compliance with this requirement can be directed to humanresources@avistacorp.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
Avista is a safe, inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds, and we are committed to Equal Opportunity Employment. 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.
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.
Salary : $68,027 - $87,754