Watercraft Inspector - Natural Resource Technician 3 - Permanent

Washington Department of Natural Resources; Ridgefield (WA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington Department of Natural Resources is seeking a Watercraft Inspector in Ridgefield, WA. This role is part of the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Unit and focuses on collecting data, conducting watercraft inspections, and performing decontamination procedures to prevent AIS spread.

Field work occurs at outdoor stations and may involve weather challenges. The position emphasizes customer service, public interaction, and strict safety regulations, with responsibilities to train others,

Qualifications

• Two years of experience as a Natural Resource Technician 2 or equivalent.
• Associate's degree or higher in biology, fisheries, wildlife management, natural resources, environmental science or related field.
• Two years of professional experience in aquatic invasive species inspection or related duties.
• Valid Driver’s License.

Responsibilities

• Inspect watercraft at inspection stations and conduct standardized interviews to obtain watercraft information and decontaminate if infested with AIS.
• Utilize hot-water Decontamination Units.
• Educate the public on AIS and handle data entry.
• Monitor and maintain signage and electronic reader boards.
• Train staff on inspection and decontamination protocols.

Skills

Customer service

Data entry

Public interaction

Education

Associate's degree or higher in biology, fisheries, wildlife management, natural resources, environmental science or related field

Tools

GPS mapping devices

Job description

Title- Watercraft Inspector

Classification- Natural Resource Technician 3

Job Status- Full-Time - Permanent
WDFW Program- Fish Program
Duty Station- Ridgefield, Washington – Clark County

Photo Caption: Watercraft Check Station – Photo Credit: WDFW

Join the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Unit and be a part of a dedicated team working to protect state waters.

In this role, you’ll use your strong customer service skills to engage with the public to collect essential data, conduct watercraft inspections, and carry out decontamination procedures to prevent the spread of invasive species.

What to Expect:

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

• Inspect watercraft at inspection stations and conduct standardized interviews to obtain watercraft information, preserve potential AIS from watercraft for shipment and decontaminate watercraft if infested with AIS.
• Utilize hot-water Decontamination Units.
• Interact with the public and opportunistically educate the public on AIS.
• Maintain operation of electronic reader boards.
• Monitor condition of signage alerting watercraft of inspection stations.
• Train and teach new staff on proper inspection protocols, decontamination procedures, and data entry processes.
• Ensure staff are following WIT 1 and WIT 2 inspection and decontamination standards, including safety and regulatory compliance.
• Provide feedback to improve staff skills and adherence to protocol.
• Work is performed primarily outdoors at watercraft inspection and decontamination stations, often in varied and sometimes extreme 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, safely operate vehicles and decontamination equipment.
• Occasional lifting of materials and maintenance activities such as cleaning, landscaping, and facility upkeep.
• Must safely 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.
• Utilize WDFW issued computers, smartphones, and iPads for data entry and communication.
• May also use hand tools, cleaning and maintenance equipment, and GPS or mapping devices to support field operations and station upkeep.

Working Conditions:

Work setting, including hazards:

• Work is performed primarily outdoors at watercraft inspection and decontamination stations, often in varied and sometimes extreme 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, safely operate vehicles and decontamination equipment.
• Occasional lifting of materials and maintenance activities such as cleaning, landscaping, and facility upkeep.

Schedule: 24/7 non-scheduled, working 40 hours per week. The standard work schedule includes the potential for occasional evening or weekend work as needed. Schedules may vary based on business needs, time of year, and/or weather conditions, including responding on short notice to AIS watercraft during non-scheduled hours.

Travel Requirements: 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.

Tools and Equipment:

• Must safely 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.
• Utilize WDFW issued computers, smartphones, and iPads for data entry and communication.
• May also use hand tools, cleaning and maintenance equipment, and GPS or mapping devices to support field operations and station upkeep.

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

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• Option 1: Two (2) years of experience as a Natural Resource Technician 2
• Option 2: Associate's degree or higher in biology, fisheries, wildlife management, natural resources, environmental science or closely related field of study.
• Option 3: Two (2) years of professional experience performing technical or paraprofessional duties related to aquatic invasive species, field inspection, biosecurity practices, and/or handling and decontaminating equipment.

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid Driver’s License.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:

• Bachelor's degree in biology, fisheries, wildlife management, natural resources, environmental science or closely related field of study.
• One (1) year or more of leadership/supervisory duties including conflict resolution, training and development, planning and assigning work and evaluating performance.
• Two (2) years of professional experience as an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) watercraft inspector/decontaminator with certifications in the following: