Watercraft Inspector - Natural Resource Technician 2 - Permanent - 2026-09274

State of Washington; Ridgefield (WA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is hiring a Watercraft Inspector in Ridgefield, Washington. You will join the AIS Enforcement Unit to inspect and decontaminate trailered watercraft, engage with the public, and collect essential data for AIS prevention at inspection stations and roving patrols.

The role requires outdoor work in variable weather, data entry on tablets, and occasional travel across the region.

Qualifications

• One of: 1 year as Natural Resource Worker 2.
• Two years of college in natural resources or related field with technical duties.
• A combination of education and/or relevant experience totaling two years.

Responsibilities

• Inspect watercraft at stations and roving patrols.
• Conduct standardized interviews and collect data for WID database.
• Follow WIT 1-2 trainings and preserve AIS evidence.
• Perform decontaminations using hot-water unit when AIS detected.
• Educate the public on Clean, Drain, Dry practices.

Skills

Customer service

Interviewing

Data entry

Public engagement

Education

Two years of college in natural resources or related field

Experience as Natural Resource Worker 2

Education + experience totaling two years

Tools

iOS tablet

Laptop

GPS mapping devices

Smartphone

Data collection apps

Job description

Title- Watercraft Inspector

Classification- Natural Resource Technician 2

Job Status- Full-Time / Permanent

WDFW Program- Fish Program – Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Management Duty Station- Ridgefield, Washington – Clark County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

AIS Watercraft Decontamination – Photo Credit: WDFW

Join a team of dedicated technicians in the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Enforcement Unit and help protect state waters by inspecting and decontaminating trailered watercraft for AIS.

In this role, you’ll use your strong customer service skills to engage with the public, conduct interviews to collect essential data, perform watercraft inspections, and carry out decontamination procedures when necessary.

AIS Watercraft Inspection Interview – Photo Credit: WDFW

What to Expect:

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Watercraft Inspector will,

Inspect recreational and commercial watercraft conveyances at Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination (WID) Stations and during roving patrols:

• Conduct standardized interviews to collect watercraft conveyance information and history for record upload into multi-state WID database using provided iOS tablet or agency issued laptop.
• Follow watercraft inspection guidelines per Watercraft Inspection Technician (WIT) 1 - 2 trainings, including proper preservation of suspected AIS.
• Perform full decontaminations using pressurized hot-water decontamination unit when aquatic invasive species are detected.
• Opportunistically educate the public on Clean, Drain, Dry practices and AIS.
• Maintain and monitor electronic reader boards, ensuring signage alerting watercraft of inspection stations remain in proper condition.

Site and equipment maintenance and office support:

• Complete and submit weekly activity reports.
• Clean restrooms and pick up litter.
• Routine maintenance for vehicles, trailered electronic reader boards, and electronic tablets.
• Landscaping maintenance and maintaining landscaping tools and equipment.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards:

• Work is performed primarily outdoors at watercraft inspection and decontamination stations, often in inclement weather conditions.
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments, hot decontamination equipment, cleaning agents, and occasional contact with aquatic organisms.
• Stand for extended periods, perform repetitive tasks, and safely operate vehicles and decontamination equipment.
• Occasionally lift materials and perform maintenance activities such as cleaning, landscaping, and general facility upkeep.

Schedule:

Full-time, 40 hours per week. Schedule may vary based on business needs, time of year, and/or weather conditions including the potential for occasional evening or weekend work.

Travel Requirements:

This position requires frequent travel to and from various watercraft inspection and decontamination stations throughout the region. Travel is typically within an assigned area but may occasionally extend to other parts of the state for training, meetings, or to support program operations. Employees must be able to operate state vehicles and may occasionally work extended hours, weekends, or holidays depending on seasonal workload and inspection station needs.

Tools and Equipment:

Transport and operate equipment including a trailered electronic reader board, trailered hot-water pressure washer, and a one-ton 4x4 truck. Operate and maintain various inspection and decontamination tools and supplies such as hoses, pumps, sprayers, and protective gear. Use a personal computer, smartphone, and iPad for data entry and communication. May also use hand tools, cleaning and maintenance equipment, and GPS or mapping devices.

Customer Interactions:

Interact with the public at mandatory check stations for trailered watercraft and decontaminations of infested AIS watercraft. Occasionally confronted by people that are non-compliant or not cooperative.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

At least one (1) of the following:

• One (1) year of experience as a Natural Resource Worker 2.
• Two (2) years of college level work in the field of fish, wildlife, or habitat management, agriculture, forestry, or a natural resource science performing technical or paraprofessional duties related to aquatic invasive species, field inspection, biosecurity practices, and/or handling and decontaminating equipment.
• A combination of education and/or relevant experience in the field of fish, wildlife, or habitat management, agriculture, forestry, or a natural resource science performing technical or paraprofessional duties related to aquatic invasive species, field inspection, biosecurity practices, and/or handling and decontaminating equipment totaling to two (2) years.

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in the field of fish, wildlife, or habitat management, agriculture, forestry, or a natural resource science.
• Two (2) years of experience as a Natural Resource Worker 2.

One (1) year of professional experience:

• Watercraft inspection.
• Using computers, electronic tablets, and data collection applications.

Certifications:

• Watercraft Inspection Technician 1 (WIT Level 1) Certification.
• Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Roadside Safety certification.

In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for.

Important Note:

All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

Union- WAFWP:

This position is in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals.

Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice:

Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following:

• Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at [e-mail].
• Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
  • Please redact any PII such as social security numbers.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2026-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

As part of WDFW’s efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications. Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully. All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Request an accommodation: Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone [phone] or email [e-mail], or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.

Technical Difficulties: If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at [phone] or [e-mail].

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to [e-mail] and reference job #2026-09274.