Manager Safety at Avista

Closes: December 16, 2025

Job Description

The Manager of Safety provides strategic leadership for the utility’s enterprise safety management system (ESMS), focusing on programs that protect employees, customers, and the public while maintaining the integrity of company infrastructure. Integrates human and organizational performance (HOP) principles with risk management strategies to prevent Serious Incidents and Fatalities (SIF). Promotes a high-performance safety culture by aligning policies with corporate strategies and regulatory requirements, leveraging ESMS and HOP to drive measurable improvements. Ensures compliance with all regulations while building strong relationships with industry and oversight agencies. Collaborates across the organization to strengthen safety practices and remove barriers to achieving safe outcomes.

Principal Accountabilities

• Facilitates development of the team’s vision, mission, and plans to align with corporate strategies, Enterprise Safety Management System (ESMS), and Human Organizational Performance (HOP) principles. Collaborates with leadership to set goals for operational risk management, occupational safety, and employee engagement.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable regulations and ESMS requirements. Oversees reporting, record-keeping, and tracking of safety goals and recognitions to meet regulatory and organizational standards.
• Leads development and continuous improvement of the ESMS, integrating HOP principles and risk management strategies across all programs.
• Drives identification, prevention, and mitigation of Serious Incidents and Fatalities (SIF) through proactive assessments and HOP learning teams.
• Develops and implements awareness strategies to educate employees, customers, and the public on risk, safe practices, and the company’s safety expectations.
• Partners with Occupational Health to integrate and align clinic, worker compensation, ergonomic, and industrial hygiene programs with ESMS and company objectives.
• Works closely with operational departments to develop, maintain, and practice safe work habits, recognition, visibility, and awareness. Participates in field activities including work observations, safety audits, Job Safety Analysis (JSAs), and activities that promote and help maintain a safe work environment.
• Develops and implements Public Safety Awareness strategies to protect the public and safeguard company assets, facilities, and equipment, while minimizing financial risk. Coordinates cross-functional collaboration among Operations, Claims, Marketing, Hydro, Safety, Risk Management, Compliance, Environmental, Human Resources, Facilities, and external partners to ensure alignment and effectiveness of public safety initiatives.
• Represents the company on committees and boards influencing safety, operational/occupational risk management, and performance, advocating ESMS, HOP, and SIF prevention best practices.
• Manages personnel including hiring, performance management, coaching, employee engagement, continuous education, training, and development.
• Develops and implements work plans, standard operating procedures, program improvements, and best practices; responsible for instituting a culture of high performance and continuous improvement.
• Fosters a positive and supportive work environment; promotes inclusion and 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, communications, safety, industrial health, public health, or related field.
• 7+ years of relevant experience with safety regulations, policies, programs and administration and public safety knowledge or experience.
• 2+ years’ leadership experience preferred.
• Possess a clear understanding of utility operations, OSHA, WISHA, DOT and other regulatory requirements.
• Working knowledge of electric and gas utility operations preferred.
• Skills and ability to align utility leadership with safety performance strategies and tactics.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to successfully develop and manage relationships at all levels of the organization and influence a variety of stakeholders.
• Skilled in using computers and related software applications.
• Ability to appropriate technology to organize, synthesize, and communicate data.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply technical understanding of regulations, rules, and requirements.
  
  
  

Other Combinations Of Education And Experience May Be Considered.

Hiring Range: $109,815 to $144,406

Hybrid work options are available for this role. The successful candidate will be required to work at our Spokane Mission campus 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 and bonus programs rewarding performance and contributions
• Generous 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
• Many other elective benefits from Legal insurance, Pet insurance, and more
  
  
  

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. The full salary range for this position is $109,815 - $178,999. Questions regarding compliance with this requirement can be directed to [email protected].

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 [email protected] if you would like assistance.