Ballast Water Vessel Inspector – Marine Transportation and Safety Specialist 3 – Perm – 2026-08084

Title- Ballast Water Vessel Inspector
Classification- Marine Transportation and Safety Specialist 3
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!

As the Ballast Water Vessel Inspector, you’ll help protect Washington’s waters from aquatic invasive species and support the long-term health of our marine ecosystems.

In this role, you’ll train to conduct onboard inspections of commercial vessels arriving in Washington State to ensure compliance with ballast water management regulations designed to prevent the spread of invasive species. You’ll work in active port environments throughout the Columbia River, Greys Harbor, and South Puget Sound.

This is a great opportunity for someone interested in maritime operations, environmental compliance, vessel inspection, and protecting Washington’s natural resources through hands-on fieldwork and regulatory enforcement.

What to Expect:
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Ballast Water Vessel Inspector will,

Vessel Ballast Water Risk Audits:

• Assess daily vessel arrivals to identify the highest ballast water risks using vessel compliance history, department protocols, and professional judgement.
• Select, board, and inspect at least 5% of all targeted vessel arrivals in assigned region.
• Explain state laws and regulations and assist vessel officers and crew in meeting compliance objectives for state ballast water management.
• Complete required department inspection forms per protocols.

Compliance Actions:

• Assess onboard evidence of ballast water management compliance using vessel records, equipment specifications, and certifications.
• Investigate and issue appropriate compliance actions per department protocols for vessel situations including Warnings, Notices of Correction, or recommendations for Notice of Penalty.
• Compile evidence to create professional and legally defensible compliance actions.

Coordination, Planning, and Reporting:

• Coordinate with the U.S. Coast Guard, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, and Washington Department of Ecology to support cooperative vessel management and minimize duplication of efforts on concurrent vessel boardings.
• Analyze, evaluate, and interpret vessel inspection data.
• Support the development and implementation of work plans, regulatory updates, performance measures, management forms, protocols, and procedures.
• Participate in state, regional, and national work groups as assigned.

Monitoring and Research:

• Conduct onboard testing of new protocols and equipment as directed.
• Analyze ballast water treatment system (BWTS) voyage maintenance records and annual independent laboratory performance test reports to support the development of new regulatory requirements.
• Assist senior staff in developing and evaluating enhanced vessel ballast water and biofouling risk assessment protocols.
• Develop, evaluate, and interpret protocols, tools, and performance measures used to assess the effectiveness of ballast water management practices.

 

Working Conditions: 

Work Setting, including hazards:
Work is performed in potentially hazardous industrial port environments aboard merchant vessels conducting cargo operations. Board and inspect all types of vessels in a variety of weather conditions and physically access all areas of vessels, including climbing ladders and entering engine/pump rooms, and occasionally, ballast tanks to inspect ballast management activities. Frequently lift and carry a 40-pound gear bag. Handle hazardous biological sample preservation chemicals, such as Formalin and ethanol. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule:
This position is full-time, 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.

Travel Requirements:
Travel between state ports is required and may average approximately 1,500 to 3,000 miles per month.

Tools and Equipment:
Use appropriate safety equipment including flotation devices, hard hats, safety goggles, and steel-toed boots. 

Customer Interactions:
Regular interaction with regulated industry representatives, including situations that may be complex or confrontational. Communication may also involve working with individuals for whom English is a secondary language.

 

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1– All of the following:

• A Bachelor of Science or Master’s degree involving major study in one of the following:
  • Marine Engineering
  • Nautical Industrial Science
  • Naval Architecture
  • A closely related field
• *Four (4) years of professional-level experience in vessel design or vessel inspection.

Option 2 – All of the following (experience may be gained concurrently):

• A Bachelor of Science or Master’s degree involving major study in one of the following:
  • Environmental Planning
  • Natural Sciences
  • A closely related field
• *Four (4) years of professional-level experience in maritime operations, aquatic invasive species management, environmental compliance, or closely related regulatory or scientific work.
  • Including at least two (2) years of professional-level experience in vessel design or vessel inspection.

Option 3– All of the following:

• A PhD in one of the following:
  • Environmental Planning
  • Marine Engineering
  • Natural Sciences
  • Nautical Industrial Science
  • Naval Architecture
  • A closely related field
• *Two (2) years of professional-level experience in vessel design or vessel inspection.

*Qualifying experience must include substantial professional-level work in at least two (2) of the knowledge areas listed below, including at least one (1) area from Part A and one (1) area from Part B:

Part A:

• Shipping regulatory and management operations.
• Vessel operations.
• Vessel and port safety requirements.
• Vessel ballast water management system operations, testing, and quality control requirements used for regulatory purposes.
• Other related commercial vessel inspection duties, such as oil spill prevention and other vessel discharge.

Part B:

• Marine and freshwater Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) risks to the state, including ballast water and biofouling pathways and management techniques.
• Working effectively with diverse vessel managers, agents, officers, and crew.
• Field research, sampling, monitoring, and testing techniques.
• Other related natural resource duties and responsibilities, such as fishery observations and environmental compliance.

Please Note:

• Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.
• A current Maritime License for Marine Officer or Marine Engineer may substitute for the education requirement.

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid driver’s license.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• This position will be required to undergo a federal background check as part of obtaining a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) or similar federal credential.

 

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

• Results Orientation and Initiative: Focuses on results and desired outcomes and how best to achieve them. Proactively identifies needs and takes appropriate action.
• Decision Making: Ability to make independent decisions in a manner that produces outcomes that are consistent with Agency, Program, and Division policy is essential. Appropriately involves supervisor or others in decision making.
• Communication: Demonstrates clear, concise written and verbal communication skills. Keeps supervisors and co-workers informed of need to know items.
• Planning: Uses strategic thinking to evaluate proposed actions and timelines against organizational mission and values. Integrates current plans with other plans as needed to achieve the overall mission.
• Relationship Building and Collaboration: Develop and maintain effective internal and external partnerships that promote and support the Agency’s mission and goals.

 

Your Application should include the following:

• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• An up-to-date resume.
• A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
• At least three (3) professional references with current contact information.

 

Supplemental Information

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 Ashley.Lee@dfw.wa.gov.
• 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: 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 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, 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 (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com. 

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to Ashley.Lee@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-08084.

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