Watercraft Inspection & Decontamination Unit Leader – Environmental Planner 5 – Permanent-2026-01250

Title – Watercraft Inspection & Decontamination Unit Leader
Classification – Environmental Planner 5
Job Status – Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program – Fish Program – Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Division
Duty Station – Olympia, Washington – Thurston County
Remote Employment – This position may include telework options up to 4 days per week, at the discretion of the supervisor.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

The Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination (WID) Unit Lead serves as the Department’s subject matter expert and strategic advisor on statewide WID policy, planning, and regulatory implementation. 

Collaborate with agency partners, tribes, and national and international organizations while leading innovative strategies to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS).

With your experience, you will provide leadership to prevent AIS introductions, ensure compliance with state and federal laws, support cross-program coordination, and advance long-term environmental protection strategies across Washington’s marine and freshwater waterways.

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Watercraft Inspection & Decontamination Unit Leader will conduct,

Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination Unit Leadership and Supervision:

• Serve as the WDFW senior planning and policy expert on watercraft/aquatic conveyance inspection and decontamination.
• Lead and supervise all unit activities to perform the daily operations of the Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination Unit while meeting all safety, policy and procedure, and legal authorities.
• Ensure unit operations are safe, efficient, and effective including ensuring scheduling of unit safety and staff meetings and maintaining unit email distribution lists.
• Develop and implement unit-specific procedures, and protocols documenting the work of the unit, in compliance with federal, and state authorities, and WDFW policies and procedures.
• Supervise and mentor staff to build and maintain an effective, motivated team within the unit.

Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination Unit Fiscal Administration, Funding and Grant Applications:

• Lead unit activities to develop and track budgets and expenditures across various projects and awards.
• Develop and maintains roll-up summary budget and expenditure reports for all unit projects including funds received internally from the State Legislature, WDFW, or external grants and agreements.
• Develop annual work plans, funding requests and grant applications, for review and approval by WDFW leadership.

Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination Statewide, Regional, National, and International Coordination and Cross-Program and External Coordination: 

• Represent WDFW as the Department’s subject matter expert and technical expert on WID at statewide, regional, national, or international formal and informal workgroups, summits, or meetings.

Working Conditions: 

Work Setting, including hazards: This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments. 

Telework options may be available, with approval for up to 80% of the work week.

Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week. The standard work schedule may include occasional evening or weekend work as needed. 

Alternative schedules may be considered based on business needs.

Travel Requirements: Some travel is required and is typically statewide or within the Pacific Northwest region states, to meet with staff, clients, and partners to conduct business, or attend or provide training.

Customer Interactions: Frequent internal and external communication and coordination. 

Qualifications:

Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.  

Required Qualifications:

Option 1 – All of the following (experience may be gained concurrently):

• A Bachelor’s degree with emphasis in biology, environmental or natural resource planning and management, geography and land use planning, environmental law, or public administration with an environmental regulation and management focus.
• Experience leading, supervising and managing remote employees performing field work.
• Seven (7) years of professional experience planning and executing regulation and management of species.
• All seven (7) years of experience must be at the level of a project leader, supervisor, coordinator, or lead subject matter expert.
  • Relevant fields include integrated pest management, noxious weed or invasive species management, wildlife management, wildlife conflict resolution, natural resources stewardship, or a closely related field.

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

• A Master’s degree or above with emphasis in biology, environmental or natural resource planning and management, geography and land use planning, environmental law, or public administration with an environmental regulation and management focus.
• Experience leading, supervising and managing remote employees performing field work.
• Five (5) years of professional experience planning and executing regulation and management of species.
• All five (5) years of experience must be at the level of a project leader, supervisor, coordinator, or lead subject matter expert.
  • Relevant fields include integrated pest management, noxious weed or invasive species management, wildlife management, wildlife conflict resolution, natural resources stewardship, or a closely related field.

Option 3 – All of the following (experience may be gained concurrently):

• Four (4) years of experience as an Environmental Planner 4.
• Experience leading, supervising and managing remote employees performing field work.

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:

Experience with:

• Implementing Uniform Minimum Protocols and Standards for Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination Programs for Dreissenid Mussels (e.g., zebra and quagga mussels) in the Western United States.
• Invasive species or invasive pest management strategies including prevention, rapid response, containment, and long-term management.
• Processes to contain and limit human access and activities including quarantines, regulatory controls such as mandatory check stations, or access closures.
• Development and negotiation of agreements or memoranda of understanding with national, regional, tribal, or local governments.
• Contract and agreement management as subject matter expert and project manager.
• Developing and managing multiple budgets totaling more than $200,000.00 annually.
• Interacting with law enforcement and functioning as a liaison between law enforcement officers and natural resource subject matter experts.
• Government-to-government interactions with tribal governments, or subject matter experts from other countries.
• Interacting with regulated industry and public, such as recreational boaters, sea plane pilots, or commercial shipping companies.
• Interacting with local governments and both public and private utilities, and other water infrastructure managers such as irrigation districts.
• Developing and submitting federal funding requests and grant applications.
• Training staff and partners to perform watercraft and other aquatic conveyance inspection and decontaminations.
• The Incident Command System for Initial Response, and National Incident Management System.

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 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 Elizabeth.Bullard@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: 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 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 Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-01250.

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