Watercraft Inspector - Natural Resource Technician - Career Seasonal

Watercraft Inspector

Classification
- Natural Resource Technician 2

Job Status
- Full-Time / Career Seasonal

Season Length- 10 months – January 1 – October 31

For the 2026 season, this position is anticipated to begin September 16, 2026 WDFW Program
- Fish Program – Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Management Duty Station
- Clarkston, Washington – Asotin County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Decontamination station – Photo Credit: WDFW

Join a team of dedicated technicians in the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Unit and help protect state waters by inspecting and decontaminating trailered watercraft for AIS.

In this role, you'll use your strong customer service skills to engage with the public, conduct interviews to collect essential data, perform watercraft inspections, and carry out decontamination procedures when necessary.

What to Expect:

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Watercraft Inspector will,

Inspect recreational and commercial watercraft conveyances at Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination (WID) Stations and during roving patrols:

• Conduct standardized interviews to collect watercraft conveyance information and history for record upload into multi-state WID database using provided iOS tablet or agency issued laptop.
• Follow watercraft inspection guidelines per Watercraft Inspection Technician (WIT) 1 - 2 trainings, including proper preservation of suspected AIS.
• Perform full decontaminations using pressurized hot-water decontamination unit when aquatic invasive species are detected.
• Opportunistically educate the public on Clean, Drain, Dry practices and AIS.
• Maintain and monitor electronic reader boards, ensuring signage alerting watercraft of inspection stations remain in proper condition.

Site and equipment maintenance and office support:

• Complete and submit weekly activity reports.
• Clean restrooms, pick up litter.
• Routine maintenance for vehicles, trailered electronic reader boards, and electronic tablets.
• Landscaping maintenance and maintaining landscaping tools and equipment.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards:

• Work is performed primarily outdoors at watercraft inspection and decontamination stations, often in inclement 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, and safely operate vehicles and decontamination equipment.
• Occasionally lift materials and perform maintenance activities such as cleaning, landscaping, and general facility upkeep.

Schedule:

Full-time, 40 hours per week. Schedule may vary based on business needs, time of year, and/or weather conditions including the potential for occasional evening or weekend work.

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.

Tools and Equipment:

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. Use a personal computer, smartphone, and iPad for data entry and communication. May also use hand tools, cleaning and maintenance equipment, and GPS or mapping devices.

Customer Interactions:

Interact with the public at mandatory check stations for trailered watercraft and decontaminations of infested AIS watercraft. Occasionally confronted by people that are non-compliant or not cooperative.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

At least one (1) of the following:

• One (1) year of…