Manager Gas Operations, South Area WA-ID

Avista; Pullman (WA); On-site; USD 114,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Total Rewards program

Affordable healthcare options

401(k) retirement plan with enhanced 1

Paid time off

Education and development support

Community giving programs

Job summary

Avista in Washington state seeks an experienced Operations Manager to lead the Pullman and Clarkston district teams, ensuring safe, efficient service and strong customer satisfaction. You will supervise crews, manage budgets, coordinate resources, and drive continuous improvement while adhering to safety and regulatory standards.

Responsibilities include establishing project plans, partnering with vendors, and fostering community engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, finance, engineering, or similar operations experience.
• 5+ years of relevant experience.
• 3+ years of supervisory experience preferred.
• Knowledge of gas construction, area standards, and industry best practices.

Responsibilities

• Manages business operations and continuous improvement in assigned districts and service areas; supervises crews and schedules work to meet timelines.
• Coordinates with vendors, contractors, agencies, and other departments; negotiates services and prices with outside contractors and vendors.
• Maintains a culture of safety, aligns with Avista’s Safety Management System, and participates in safety meetings.
• Prepares and oversees O&M and capital budgets; verifies expenses, time records, and invoices for accuracy.

Skills

Leadership

Planning & scheduling

Budgeting & cost control

Safety management

Communication skills

Vendor & contract coordination

Team development

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, finance, engineering, or similar operations experience

Job description

Job Description

Manages the operations and facilities within the assigned area to ensure customer satisfaction, quality service, employee safety, and efficient operations. Ensures resources are utilized collaboratively and efficiently across districts. Leads employees in meeting department business goals and objectives, accountable for business results, and effective management of resources. Provides day-to-day supervision of operations employees. Schedules and deploys crews, coordinates material and equipment requirements, and ensures safety compliance as needed to support department goals and objectives. Establishes and maintains positive and collaborative relationships within the local community and creates a culture of safety and efficiency for customers and employees. Work is complex, requiring experience performing the job and knowledge and application of job concepts.

Closes: Open until filled

Summary

Job Description

Manages the operations and facilities within the assigned area to ensure customer satisfaction, quality service, employee safety, and efficient operations. Ensures resources are utilized collaboratively and efficiently across districts. Leads employees in meeting department business goals and objectives, accountable for business results, and effective management of resources. Provides day-to-day supervision of operations employees. Schedules and deploys crews, coordinates material and equipment requirements, and ensures safety compliance as needed to support department goals and objectives. Establishes and maintains positive and collaborative relationships within the local community and creates a culture of safety and efficiency for customers and employees. Work is complex, requiring experience performing the job and knowledge and application of job concepts.

Supervision

Manages crew(s) and staff in the Pullman and Clarkston district/service area, spending time at both office locations throughout the week. Incumbent has moderate discretion, using some discretion in daily work and recommending new or revised policies, procedures, and standard practices; investigates and recommends action to supervisor before making decisions. Supervision received is limited; general directions are given with periodic status checks.

Principle Accountabilities

• Manages business operations and continuous improvement in assigned districts and service areas. Determines operational needs and schedules crews. Conducts regular inspections of fieldwork, checks progress, and ensures compliance with schedules, drawings, and specifications. Ensures compliance work is completed in a timely and accurate manner. May perform or participate in project design work.
• Coordinates with vendors, contractors, agencies, and other departments. Engages with various contracted resources and negotiates services and prices with outside contractors and vendors.
• Responsible for all aspects of workplace safety. Creates and maintains a culture of safety by championing Avista's Safety Management System, which includes worker, process, pipeline, and public safety. Takes an active part in safety meetings and collaborates with crews to ensure that work activities meet all applicable federal, state, and company safety regulations. Regularly visits employees in the field. Spearheads accountability for reporting and documenting incidents involving safety.
• Responsible for the preparation and oversight of O&M and capital budgets as required to meet annual budget allocations. Verifies accuracy of expense accounts, time records, credit card reconciliation, invoice approval, and other documents.
• Works as a key stakeholder in conjunction with the Regional Business Manager and other Avista stakeholders on large scale community projects. Participates in community and civic affairs to improve the company’s ability to efficiently deliver services, position the company to effectively compete and grow, strengthen goodwill through corporate citizenship, promote public safety awareness, and enhance corporate reputation as a strategic asset. Proactively manages the simple-to-complex corporate and community network issues, policies, and regulations to meet critical business needs.
• Provides off-hour emergency response by coordinating emergency crew and serviceman work as needed.
• Ensures resources are utilized collaboratively and efficiently across districts; coordinates material and equipment to meet business needs.
• Administers the collective bargaining unit agreement. Responsible for understanding and following the collective bargaining agreement as it pertains to union employees within the workgroup. Reviews and approves timecards ensuring employees are paid according to the collective bargaining agreement and applicable wage and hour laws.
• Manages personnel including hiring, performance management, coaching, employee engagement, continuous education, training, and development; oversees and manages apprentice progress.
• Develops and implements work plans, standard operating procedures, program improvements, and best practices; responsible for instituting a culture of high performance and continuous improvement.
• Ensures activities, services and/or products are compliant with applicable regulations, rules, policies, and procedures.
• Fosters a positive and supportive work environment; promotes belonging in the workplace; and contributes to an environment of mutual respect.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university in business administration, accounting, finance, engineering, or similar operations experience
• 5+ years of relevant experience.
• 3+ years of supervisory experience preferred.
• Similar field or journeyman experience preferred.
• Knowledge of all types of gas construction, area standards, and industry best practices.
• Knowledge of progressive utility experience preferred.
• Demonstrated ability in helping customers navigate through complex or sensitive issues, keeping the customers’ best interests in mind.
• Ability to effectively plan work activities, schedules, priorities, and utilization of resources.
• Effective and flexible written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in making critical decisions.

Other Combinations Of Education And Experience May Be Considered.

Hiring Range: $114,207 to $150,183

This position requires an in-person presence to support team and on-site responsibilities.

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)

To learn more, please visit our benefits website at https://avistabenefits.com/.

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. Questions regarding compliance with this requirement can be directed to [e-mail].

Pre-employment screening requirements (FMCSA/PHMSA)

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

This position is considered safety-sensitive under the Department of Transportation regulations 49 CFR Part 40 and may be subject to pre-employment drug and/or alcohol testing as well as other testing and training requirements as mandated by federal law.

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 [e-mail] if you would like assistance.