Okay, I've searched for full-time Business Analyst roles in Spokane, WA with hybrid work options, requiring a Bachelor's degree related to Information Systems, at least 3 years of experience, and within the asset management or analytics industry. I found 47 suitable positions for you.

Sure. Here's the analysis:

Job Analysis:

The Business Analyst role at Avista is fundamentally about bridging the gap between business needs and technical solutions, with a focus on leveraging data and analytical tools to drive business improvements and asset management capabilities. This role requires a candidate who is not only adept at analyzing existing business processes and workflows to identify inefficiencies but also skilled in facilitating collaboration across departments to champion change and implement solutions. Given the tiered experience levels (BA I to BA III), the role expands from handling relatively straightforward analytical tasks and basic queries to conducting complex analyses, developing procedural guidelines, and communicating insights to diverse audiences. The emphasis on understanding the utility business and operational context highlights the need for domain knowledge, ensuring that recommendations and changes align with the intricacies of energy production, transmission, and distribution. Candidates must be comfortable navigating a hybrid work environment and engaging with multiple cross-functional teams, which likely involves managing ambiguity, influencing stakeholders without direct authority, and prioritizing initiatives based on business impact. Success in this role would manifest as improved operational efficiencies, data-driven decision-making support, and the delivery of actionable insights that support Avista’s asset management and business analytics goals.

Company Analysis:

Avista operates as a regional energy utility serving large areas in the Pacific Northwest, positioning itself as a stable, community-focused organization with deep operational roots in energy services. This stability means the Business Analyst role is less about disruptive innovation and more about continuous improvement within a regulated, mission-critical infrastructure environment. The company’s culture likely values reliability, inclusion, and community impact, fostering a collaborative yet structured workplace where regulatory compliance and customer service quality are paramount. With service to over 600,000 utility customers, the scale and complexity of Avista’s operations offer a dynamic backdrop for analytical work, but also require sensitivity to the strict regulatory and safety frameworks inherent in utilities. The role fits within a strategic thrust to enhance asset management and analytics, signaling the company’s intent to modernize and optimize operations via data-driven insights. Candidates can expect strong leadership visibility for this role given its cross-functional influence, with opportunities to contribute meaningfully to key company initiatives. The hybrid work model, benefits, and commitment to diversity and inclusion indicate a balanced, employee-centered environment, making it attractive for individuals seeking a stable yet growing energy sector player aligned with public and environmental responsibilities.

Absolutely. Here are some mock interview questions that could come up:

• Behavioral: Tell me about a time when you had to facilitate a discussion between different departments to gather requirements for a project. How did you ensure all perspectives were considered?
• Behavioral: Describe a situation where you identified a business process inefficiency. What steps did you take to analyze and improve the process?
• Behavioral: Can you share an experience where you had to communicate complex technical information to a non-technical audience? How did you ensure clarity and understanding?
• Behavioral: Tell me about a challenging project where you had to manage ambiguity and adapt your approach as new information became available.
• Technical: How would you approach creating SQL queries to extract meaningful data from a utility operations database to support asset management decisions?
• Technical: Explain your experience with analytical tools like Cognos, Tableau, or Maximo in analyzing business workflows or operational data.
• Technical: Describe your understanding of utility industry operations and how this knowledge informs your business analysis approach.
• Technical: What methodologies do you use to map and analyze current-state business processes and define future-state improvements?
• Situational: Imagine you receive conflicting requirements from two key stakeholders in different departments. How would you resolve these conflicts to keep the project moving forward?
• Situational: If you discover that the data provided for analysis is incomplete or unreliable, what steps would you take to ensure your recommendations are sound?
• Situational: How would you handle resistance from team members during the rollout of a new process or system that you helped design?
• Company Fit/Motivation: Why are you interested in working at Avista, particularly within the asset management and analytics team?
• Company Fit/Motivation: How do you see your skills contributing to Avista’s mission to provide reliable energy services while driving operational improvements through analytics?
• Company Fit/Motivation: What attracts you to working in the energy utility sector, and how do you stay informed about industry trends and regulatory changes?
• Candidate Questions: Can you describe how the asset management and business analytics team collaborates with other divisions within Avista?
• Candidate Questions: What are the biggest challenges the team currently faces in leveraging data to improve utility operations?
• Candidate Questions: How does Avista support professional development and career growth for business analysts within the organization?