Environmental Scientist/Specialist - Land Use Permitting and Compliance
Environmental Scientist/Specialist - Land Use Permitting and Compliance
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$ 65410 - 118631
1 Vacancy
Job Description
Closes: July 7 2025
Starting Range: $65410 to $96621
Full Range: $65410 to $118631
Job Description
This Environmental Scientist/Specialist position provides regulatory analysis and permitting for all electrical transmission & distribution natural gas non-hydro generation and service facilities construction and maintenance projects. The Specialist works with project leads to ensure environmental and cultural resource compliance through all stages of projects.
- Evaluate non-hydro proposed projects for regulatory and permit applicability including scope work methods and other related potential environmental impacts.
- Provide project lead(s) with permitting recommendations to complete project work in a timely and efficient manner including other strategic approaches or options when available.
- Manages the complete environmental and land-use permitting process through all stages including:
Planning Applicability Application Public Notice Negotiation Permit Issuance Implementation and On-site Construction/Compliance Monitoring. Keeps accurate and complete records of all work. - Selects and manages the proper contractor and/or specialized resources needed to acquire permits in a timely and efficient manner.
- Proactively establishes and maintains open communication and strong relationships with the local state municipal and federal agencies.
- Proactively establishes and maintains open communication (including training) with internal personnel regarding environmental and land use permitting and cultural resource regulations.
- Seeks and implements methods to improve the quality and efficiency of permitting processes and other duties.
- Bachelors Degree from four-year college or university in an applicable field such as biology geology chemistry fisheries wildlife recreation environmental science or related field
- Must demonstrate understanding of fundamental concepts practices and procedures of particular field of experience or 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
- Excellent organizational and communication skills with proficiency in writing/grammar
- Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships and to communicate clearly is essential
- Demonstrated planning and organizing skills; ability to anticipate outcomes
- Computer skills proficiency required including standard office software GIS or other specialized applications
- Valid Drivers License
- Minimum of one (1) year of professional experience required
- Minimum of three (3) years of professional experience
- Proficiency in creating clear concise and well-structured technical documentation including reports manuals process guides etc. Ability to translate complex technical information into easily understandable content for various audiences
- Demonstrated planning and organizing skills; ability to anticipate outcomes
- Ability to successfully develop and maintain collaborative relationships at all levels of the organization and with external stakeholders
- Experience preparing regulatory permit applications as well as developing regulatory compliance strategies for a variety of project types
- Fundamental understanding of electric and gas utility work activities; how they are accomplished and their associated compliance risks and obligations
- Background and experience in federal state and local environmental and land-use regulation and permitting strategies for NEPA Special Use Permits SEPA Army Corp Wetlands ESA Cultural Resources etc. with existing relationships with regulatory staff in Washington Idaho and Oregon
- Advanced technical writing skills and critical thinking. The successful candidate will be able to work both independently and as part of a team and be expected to manage projects to completion
Other combinations of education and experience may be considered.
Environmental Scientist I: Hiring Range: $65410 - $84379 Full Range: $65410 - $103347
Environmental Scientist II: Hiring Range: $74611 - $96621 Full Range: $74611 - $118631
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 an additional day determined by the employee and manager.
To Apply
We encourage you to apply as many of our positions have step progressions to account for an incoming employees 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 screening requirements
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a drug test background check and motor vehicle records review.
Avistas 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 if you would like assistance.
Required Experience:
Unclear Seniority
Employment Type
Full-Time
