Sr Load Forecaster-Economist

Avista•Spokane, WA

32d•$114,207 - $150,183•Hybrid

About The Position

Avista seeks an experienced professional to advance long-term energy forecasting and methodologies in support of optimizing its integrated planning process. The position is responsible for developing and leading medium-term and long-term load forecasts for Avista’s gas and electric businesses. These forecasts support the integrated system plan, financial plan, energy supply procurement, and other strategies. The role also requires effectively presenting and explaining Avista’s load forecasts—including customer growth drivers and energy consumption trends—to internal management, state utility commissions, public-interest groups, and other audiences. The position is part of a highly collaborative team that develops modeling approaches, analyses, and forecasts. Hybrid work is available. The successful candidate must work at the Spokane office at least three days per week, including Mondays and Tuesdays, with additional days determined by the manager.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university in economics, engineering, finance, math, business, or a related field.
Seven or more years of progressively responsible experience in forecasting, economics, utility planning, qualitative analysis, or a related field.
Effective, adaptable, and exceptional communication skills for a wide variety of internal and external audiences.
Ability to develop and manage relationships at all levels of the organization and influence a variety of stakeholders.
Demonstrated creative problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities.
Demonstrated experience with statistical analyses, analytical software and modeling, and forecasting and econometric theory.
Broad and deep understanding of electric and/or gas utility business operations and mastery of advanced forecasting tools and methods are identified as ideal-candidate qualifications.

Nice To Haves

Master’s or doctorate degree in economics, engineering, finance, math, business, or a related field.
Experience with modeling frameworks used for long-term load forecasting.
Experience as an expert witness and/or ability to effectively represent Avista with outside organizations and in regulatory processes.

Responsibilities

Advance long-term energy forecasting and related methodologies to support optimization of Avista’s integrated planning process.
Develop and lead medium-term and long-term load forecasts for Avista’s gas and electric businesses.
Support the integrated system plan, financial plan, energy supply procurement, and other strategies through load forecasting.
Articulate and explain Avista’s load forecasts to internal management, state utility commissions, public-interest groups, and other audiences.
Explain the drivers of customer growth and energy consumption trends.
Collaborate with the team to develop robust modeling approaches, analyses, and forecasts.