Avalanche Forecast & Control Technician; Intern

Description About WSDOT

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal agency with a global reputation for excellence. Our dedicated workforce plans, designs, builds, and operates an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 20,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT leads an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, manages the world's longest floating bridge, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

WSDOT is seeking an Avalanche Forecast & Control Technician in the Stevens Pass Area. This is a rare opportunity to launch your career in one of the most unique and challenging environments in transportation. As part of our avalanche control team, you’ll gain specialized, hands‑on experience helping manage snow and avalanche hazards and keeping one of Washington’s vital mountain routes open and safe for the traveling public and communities that depend on it.

Working alongside experienced avalanche professionals, you’ll be part of a highly skilled team where safety, teamwork, and sound decision‑making come first. If you’re ready to trade the ordinary office for the mountains, build specialized skills, and make a direct impact on keeping Washington moving through winter, this could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.

This position requires routinely traveling through mountainous terrain and deep snow while carrying a backpack weighing up to 30 pounds. Employees must be able to ski advanced and complex avalanche terrain in heavy snow and adverse weather conditions, including using ski‑cutting techniques to assess snow stability and initiate controlled avalanche releases. The work may also require working loyees must be able to report to their assigned duty station within three hours when required and work safely in cold, wet, humid, and windy conditions.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, Avalanche Forecast and Control Technician will:

• Assist in performing daily and interval observations regarding weather, snow, snow structure, and avalanche conditions.
• Assist with combining pertinent information from field observations for risk assessment, communication, treatment and review.
• Conduct evaluations that may involve climbing and skiing to remote sites to assist with performing prescribed test methods.
• Assist with recording weather observations from remote stations. Assist with entering and maintaining weather and snow data into a database.
• Assist with the use of explosives in hand‑placed and remote delivery applications for intentional release of avalanches to reduce overall avalanche hazard. Involves working via snow cat, skis (ski cutting), howitzer, avalauncher, and RACS.

To be considered for this opportunity, the following competencies are required:

• Snow Science & Avalanche
  
  Education:
  
  Demonstrated foundational knowledge of snow science, avalanche phenomena, and avalanche safety through one or more of the following: current enrollment in or recent completion of a bachelor’s degree program in Snow Science or a related field at an accredited college or university; completion of at least two semesters, or equivalent coursework, toward a bachelor’s degree in Snow Science or a related field;
  
  or current enrollment and active pursuit of an American Avalanche Association (A3) Avalanche Education certificate
  . Ability to apply foundational knowledge to support avalanche forecasting, snow stability assessment, and avalanche hazard management.
• Technology & Electronic Systems: Basic proficiency using electronic systems, including Microsoft Office applications, to access, enter, organize, and communicate information.
• Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Service-Oriented: Takes action to meet the needs of others.

The following qualifications are also required:

• A valid driver’s license and the ability to operate state-owned vehicles.
• Ability to safely travel through mountainous terrain on foot and navigate challenging winter conditions while carrying necessary…