Boat Captain - Scientific Technician 3 - Part-Time​/Project

Description

Title- Boat Captain

Classification- Scientific Technician 3

Job Status- Part-Time/Project

Anticipated Project Length- 7.5 Months-Sept 1, 2026 - April 15, 2027

WDFW Program- Wildlife Program
- Science Research Division

Duty Station- Port Townsend, Washington
- Jefferson County

Photo Caption:
Marbled Murrelet During At-Sea Study
- Photo Credit: WDFW

Imagine yourself out on Washington’s scenic marine waters, from the Puget Sound and all along the Washington coast, to conduct boat-based surveys researching marbled murrelets, a Threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.

As the captain of a research vessel, you will assist in collecting essential data on marbled murrelets, in addition to seabirds and marine mammals, in support of conservation and recovery efforts.

With your expertise in vessel operation and marine navigation, your work will contribute to key strategies outlined in the Marbled Murrelet Recovery Plan and help state and federal agencies make informed research and management decisions.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Boat Captain will,

• Serve as boat captain for Research Vessels Fog Lark and Puffin, each 26-feet long with twin outboards.
• Conduct inland Puget Sound, nearshore outer coast, and pelagic surveys 80 kilometers off the Washington coast.
• Ensure safety of self and other staff while at sea, including monitoring weather forecasts and conditions using marine electronics (GPS, depth finder, radar, and VHF radio).
• Ensure vessels are ready for work including fueling, survey communication equipment, maintenance and repairs on vessel and trailer, and current safety equipment.
• Trailer, launch, retrieve, and safely store vessels;
  Trailering the research vessel can be up to 3-4 hours one way.
• Regularly brief the team and guest passengers on safety procedures.
• Provide mentorship/professional development opportunities to team members to increase boating skills and abilities, such as trailering, launching and retrieving the vessel, navigating in open ocean and marinas, and small maintenance tasks.

• Organize and schedule in-season maintenance and shop time for research vessels and trailers.
• Conduct regular vessel, motor, trailer, and agency vehicle maintenance as needed.
• Ensure vehicles, vessels, motors, and trailer are clean and stored properly at the end of the sampling day.
• Maintain vessel and safety equipment inspection logs; ensure safety items are operational and not expired; inventory, inspect, and replace the team’s assigned inventory items (such as personal floatation devices).
• Regularly maintain and clean binoculars, electronic equipment, and communication equipment.
• Troubleshoot mechanical and electronic problems.

Work primarily on a boat with long hours, and adverse weather and sea conditions possible. Bar crossings, working close to shore, and navigating areas with tide, swell, and current are a regular part of this work. Maneuvering on slippery surfaces, including while launching and recovering research boats from launches and docks, is routine. May be exposed to chemicals, such as boat and motor fluids.

This position will involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Part-time, under 40 hours per week, typically Monday
- Friday. The schedule may be set or vary based on operational needs. Additional hours may be available depending on workload and staffing requirements. The standard work schedule includes the potential for occasional evening or weekend work as needed.

Frequent daily and overnight travel. May be required to use personal-use vehicle when an agency owned vehicle is unavailable (mileage is reimbursable).

Outboard motorboat operation including proper and safe fueling, boat trailer, GPS, personal protective equipment, chart plotter, radar, compass, binoculars, range finder, laptop computer, GPS Units, VHF radio, wireless headsets, and voice recorders.

Interact with state, federal, tribal, and public…