Water Rights Specialist & Hydro Archivist

Closes:
March 17, 2026

Job Description

This position administers the utility's water rights portfolio and oversees Environmental Affairs archival processes to ensure compliance, operational continuity, and long-term resource stewardship. The role serves as a liaison with regulatory agencies, legal counsel, and internal teams to align water rights strategy with organizational goals and environmental commitments.

In addition, this position develops and maintains archival systems for environmental and generation records, ensuring accurate cataloging, preservation, and accessibility of critical documents. Duties include implementing digital document management, new technology solutions for data integrity, and maintaining compliance tracking systems. The role supports hydro licensing, dam safety, and environmental compliance in advancing best practices in records management and archival process development.

Responsibilities

* Lead and administer the utility's water rights program, ensuring regulatory compliance, operational continuity, and long-term resource stewardship. [

* Serve as a subject matter expert and liaison with regulatory agencies, legal counsel, internal stakeholders, and community partners on water rights matters.

* Integrate water rights considerations into strategic planning, risk assessments, capital projects, and operational decision-making.

* Maintain and manage the utility's water rights inventory, including permits, certificates, adjudications, transfers, and required reporting.

* Analyze water rights data to identify risks, opportunities, and impacts related to water availability, regulatory changes, and infrastructure planning.

* Lead development and oversight of environmental and hydro archival systems, ensuring accurate preservation, accessibility, and compliance with regulatory requirements (including FERC).

* Implement and improve digital document management and records management practices, supporting data integrity and long-term information preservation.

* Provide research support, training, and guidance to internal teams related to water rights, records management, and archival resources.

Requirements

* Bachelor's degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university in Environmental Science, Hydrology, Law, or a related field, with a Master's degree preferred

* Minimum 6 years of experience in water rights management, environmental compliance, paralegal, regulatory, research, or related work required

* Demonstrated understanding of water law, permitting and adjudication processes, and/or other regulatory framework experience preferred

* Familiarity with electronic document management systems preferred

* Effective analytical skills, process orientation, and business savvy; ability to work independently and manage complex, detail-oriented tasks; effective and flexible written and verbal communication skills

* Demonstrated 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

* Comfortable in office and field situations representing the company and interacting with a wide variety of utility staff, agency regulators, tribes, and other stakeholders

* Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing technological advancements, particularly in data preservation

* Research experience with dedication and determination to pursue difficult-to-find information

Other combinations of education and experience may be considered.

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…