Senior Watershed Inspector

Senior Watershed Inspector

IMPORTANT: Please do not attach resumes or cover letters; they will not be considered in the review of candidate qualifications.

Application Requirement: An online application, including responses to the supplemental questionnaire, must be fully completed for consideration.

Seattle Public Utilities is seeking a Senior Watershed Inspector to protect the pristine Cedar River and South Fork Tolt Watersheds, including the Rattlesnake Recreation Area.

Senior Watershed Inspector duties include working independently to lead watershed protection daily activities in the field, enforce regulations, conduct security patrols (by foot, vehicle, aircraft, or boat), document work through mobile applications, prepare reports, suppress wildfires, and respond to emergencies including search and rescue operations.

Based at Cedar Falls Headquarters (34 miles east of Seattle near North Bend), this position requires 100% on-site presence with no telework options available. The schedule currently includes 10‑hour shifts with variable times and days of the week.

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is a Community Centered Utility whose mission is to foster healthy people, environment, and economy by partnering with our community to equitably manage water and waste resources for today and future generations. We deliver high quality, vital services, across four major lines of business: providing water, solid waste, drainage and wastewater services for Seattle residents and businesses.

SPU provides drinking water for 1.5 million regional customers in Seattle and other municipalities. Our customers depend on us to deliver high quality, reliable, and cost‑conscious utility services and to achieve the highest benefits possible for every investment we make.

SPU’s values:
Our City Values and Race and Social Justice as core principles that guide our work. We actively take steps to dismantle systemic racism and increase service equity. We value diverse life experiences and strive to create a workplace that is welcoming to all. We take steps to be inclusive and equitable in our recruiting, hiring and promotional opportunities.

For more information about Seattle Public Utilities, please visit SPU Website and Strategic Business Plan.

• Family‑friendly and multicultural work environment
• Generous benefits package
• Free public transportation options
• City pension plan with employer/employee contributions
• Growth potential and advancement opportunities

• Perform strategic patrols to monitor work sites, roads, fences, gates, and watershed facilities for potential threats to water quality
• Enforce City access and control regulations by addressing unauthorized personnel on restricted lands and reporting violations to appropriate authorities
• Educate and inform visitors about recreation area rules and regulations to promote compliance and environmental protection
• Act as a Special Police Officer to enforce ordinance infraction‑based violations in an unarmed capacity (future level of enforcement requirement in the next 2‑3 years)
• Lead and schedule Watershed Inspectors for daily tasks and assignments

• Create detailed, factual case reports documenting incidents and observations with precision and thoroughness
• Conduct comprehensive investigations including evidence collection, scene photography, witness interviews, and detailed documentation
• Execute complex investigations and produce detailed incident reports to support decision‑making processes

• Research, evaluate, and procure specialized equipment to support watershed protection operations
• Become proficient in security systems including closed‑circuit television (CCTV) monitoring, electronic gate operations, and facility security

Note:

this job posting is not designed to cover or contain the complete listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change as conditions require.

• One (1) year of college education in forestry, law enforcement, natural resource management, fire science or…