Vessel Turn-in Program Specialist, Natural Resources Specialist ; NRS

Vessel Turn-in Program Specialist, Natural Resources Specialist 2 (NRS2)

Recruitment #2025-12-P499

Full-time, Project, Represented position (WPEA)

Anticipated Project appointment is February 2026 - June 2027

Location:

Natural Resources Building
- Olympia, WA

Work Hours and Partial Telework flexibility may be available and considered

Salary: $4,299.00 - $5,783.00 Monthly

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 1/6/26. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our Aquatics Resources Division as a Vessel Turn-in Program Specialist. The goal of the Vessel Turn-in Program is to prevent boats from becoming derelict or abandoned and potentially harming water quality and/or threatening public safety.

• Manages vessel disposal through the Vessel Turn-in Program (VTiP). Works with VTiP supervisor on public meetings/outreach and coordinates application review and vessel disposals.
• Independently performs inspections on vessels, field and office surveys, studies of vessel location, and the vessel’s risk to human safety and the environment with specialized knowledge of shipwrecking processes.
• Conducts background research on vessel location, design, construction material, ownership, history, disposal options, and methods.
• Uses professional knowledge to evaluate the condition of the vessel and combines that information with research findings to understand risk and develop a vessel removal and disposal plan. Creates bid requests and interagency agreements for vessel removal work.
• Ensures contractor compliance with environmental permit requirements, related laws, rules, regulations, and works with contractors to correct deficiencies. Negotiates, reviews, and approves contractor work progress, products, and billings.
• Compiles and issues request for proposals and WA Department of Enterprise Services contract forms for DNR-sponsored vessel removals; assesses bids according to state contracting rules and obtains Division Manager approval.
• Administers contracts by monitoring contractor performance and assuring compliance with DNR permits.
• Audits invoices from contractors.
• Reconciles spending with the program’s account and Program Manager.
• Conducts public meetings/outreach regarding the VTiP.
• Develops program materials and templates.
• Utilizing professional program knowledge, responds to inquiries about the program from contractors and the public. Assesses situations over the phone and recommends an appropriate course of action to the caller based on current law and policy and available resources.
• Manages the vessel database. Creates and runs queries to detect trends and changes over time.
• Prepares documents for review by the Attorney General's Office in support of appeals and bad debt write-offs.
• Capitalizes on knowledge of the continuous process improvement ideals to increase efficiency, such as batching vessels, and plans for future program and legislative changes.

• Bachelor's degree in natural resource management AND one year of experience in a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Experience utilizing Microsoft suite products and other software products used for generating reports and/or tracking information.
• Experience with customer service.
• Experience reading and applying laws, policies, rules, and/or regulations.
• Accustomed to conveying ideas and information, both verbally and in writing.
• Accustomed to prioritizing and multitasking in real time in a fast-paced work environment.
• Accustomed to applying sound judgment in performing assigned tasks.
• Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.
• Perform assigned duties in a manner consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and public records retention and requests are followed.
• DNR
  
  Core Competencies:
  • Personal Accountability
  • Value Others
  • Compassionate Communication
  • Inspire Others
  • Commitment to Excellence

• 80% of this job is performed in an office setting and 20% field setting. Field work occurs around boats, in boat yards, or on the waters of the state, both salt and freshwater. There will be occasional water‑related reconnaissance by land or boat.
• Will require travel, a couple of times a month, in order to undertake derelict vessel reconnaissance, attend meetings, manage contracts, and give presentations. Some marine travel (on‑water work) will be required. If a project requires contract oversight at field locations, the position will require travel to those locations.
• A current, valid driver’s license and two years of driving experience. Additionally, DNR requires state drivers to possess a license that is not suspended, revoked, or restricted (for example,…