Watercraft Inspector – Natural Resources Technician 3 – Career Seasonal – 2025-09121

Working Title– Watercraft Inspector
Classification- Natural Resources Technician 3
Job Status– Full-Time/Career Seasonal
Season Length– 10 months – February 1 – November 30 annually
WDFW Program– Fish Program – Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Division
Duty Station– Spokane Valley, Washington – Spokane County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Are you passionate about protecting Washington’s environments from invasive species?

Embrace this role to protect state waters by inspecting and decontaminating trailered watercraft for aquatic invasive species.

This is an opportunity to serve Washington’s citizens by protecting, restoring and enhancing fish and wildlife and their habitats, while providing sustainable and wildlife-related recreational and commercial opportunities. 

WHAT TO EXPECT –
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position will:

Inspect recreational and commercial watercraft at Mandatory Inspection Stations.

• Inspect watercraft at inspection stations for Aquatic Invasive Species, conduct standardized interviews to obtain watercraft information, preserve possible AIS from watercraft for shipment, 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.
• Record collected watercraft inspection and decontamination data into the “Colorado” WID Database system.

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.
• Perform weekly check-ins with staff, ensuring proper opportunities for coaching and mentoring of lower-level staff.

Office Support/Other Duties as Assigned.

• Entry of collected information using electronic tablets.
• Assisting with presentations about the WDFW AIS Program.
• Assist in the implementation and expansion of the AIS unit.

Equipment/station/facility maintenance.

• Ensures vehicles and equipment are in safe and working order through weekly review.
• Work with supervisor to provide staff with resources to maintain station facility.

Working Conditions:

Work setting: Work is performed primarily outdoors at watercraft inspection and decontamination stations, often in varying 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. The position requires standing for extended periods, performing repetitive tasks, safely operating vehicles and decontamination equipment. Occasional lifting of materials and maintenance activities such as cleaning, landscaping, and facility upkeep are also required.

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. The incumbent may be required to respond on short notice to AIS watercraft during non-scheduled hours.

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.

Customer Interactions: Interacts with the public at mandatory check stations for trailered watercraft and decontaminations of infested AIS watercraft and occasionally is confronted with citizens that are non-compliant or not cooperative.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1:

Two (2) years of experience as a Natural Resource Technician 2.

  And

One (1) year or more of leadership/supervisory duties including conflict resolution, training and development, planning and assigning work, evaluating performance.

  And

Valid driver’s license.

Option 2:

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.

  And

One (1) year or more of leadership/supervisory duties including conflict resolution, training and development, planning and assigning work, evaluating performance.

  And

Valid driver’s license.

Option 3:

Associate’s degree in biology, fisheries, wildlife management, natural resources, environmental science or closely related field of study.

  And

One (1) year or more of leadership/supervisory duties including conflict resolution, training and development, planning and assigning work, evaluating performance.

  And

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 biology, fisheries, wildlife management, natural resources, environmental science or closely related field of study.

Two (2) years of professional experience as an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) watercraft inspector/decontaminator with certifications in both: 

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

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 Cheri.Potter@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 Cheri.Potter@dfw.wa.gov and reference job number/title from the top of this posting.

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