Watercraft Inspector - Natural Resource Technician 3 - Permanent - 2026-08353

State of Washington; Ridgefield (WA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Washington is seeking a Watercraft Inspector to join the Fish Program in Ridgefield, WA. The role focuses on data collection, watercraft inspections, and decontamination procedures to prevent invasive species spread.

Staff will operate at outdoor inspection stations and engage with the public while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance. Responsibilities include training new staff, supervising frontline workers, and maintaining equipment and signage at inspection sites.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience as a Natural Resource Technician 2.
• Associate’s degree or higher in biology, fisheries, wildlife management, natural resources, environmental science or closely related field.
• Two years of professional experience with aquatic invasive species inspection, biosecurity, or decontamination.

Responsibilities

• Inspect watercraft at inspection stations and conduct standardized interviews.
• Use hot-water decontamination units.
• Educate the public on AIS.
• Train and supervise frontline staff on inspection protocols and data entry.

Skills

Public interaction

Data collection

Decontamination procedures

Safety compliance

Education

Associate’s degree or higher in biology or related field

Bachelor’s degree in biology or related field

Tools

GPS devices

Decontamination equipment

Data entry devices (iPad, smartphone)

Watercraft inspection equipment

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

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption: Watercraft Check Station - Photo Credit: WDFW

Why join us

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

Role Summary

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 recreational and commercial watercraft at mandatory inspection stations:

• Inspect watercraft at inspection stations and conduct standardized interviews to obtain watercraft information, preserve possible 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

• 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.

Supervision of frontline and field-oriented operations employees:

• 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.

Working Conditions:

• 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:

• Two (2) years of experience as a Natural Resource Technician 2
• Associate’s degree or higher in biology, fisheries, wildlife management, natural resources, environmental science or closely related field of study.
• 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:

• 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:

• Watercraft Inspection Technician 1 (WIT Level 1)
• Watercraft Inspection Technician 2 (WIT Level 2)
• Watercraft Inspection Technician 3 (WIT Level 3)

Pay and Benefits:

In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the Benefits tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.

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 (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2024-1234 – 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 #2026-08353.

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