Watercraft Inspector - Natural Resources Technician - Career Seasonal

Watercraft Inspector - Natural Resources Technician 3 - Career Seasonal

Working Title: Watercraft Inspector
Classification: Natural Resources Technician 3
Job Status: Full‑Time/Career Seasonal
Season Length: 10 months – Feb 1 to Nov 30 annually
WDFW Program: Fish Program – Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Division
Duty Station: Spokane Valley, Washington – Spokane County

Are you passionate about protecting Washington’s environments from invasive species?
Embrace this role to protect state waters by inspecting and decontaminating trailered watercraft for aquatic invasive species.

What To Expect

• Inspect recreational and commercial watercraft at mandatory inspection stations, conduct standardized interviews, preserve possible AIS from watercraft for shipment, and decontaminate watercraft if infested.
• Utilize hot‑water decontamination units.
• Interact with the public and opportunistically educate them on AIS.
• Maintain operation of electronic reader boards.
• Monitor condition of signage alerting watercraft of inspection stations.
• Record collected watercraft inspection and decontamination data into the “Colorado” WID Database system.

• Train and teach new staff on proper inspection protocols, decontamination procedures, and data entry processes.
• Ensure staff follow WIT 1 and WIT 2 inspection and decontamination standards, including safety and regulatory compliance.
• Provide feedback to improve staff skills and adherence to protocol.
• Perform weekly check‑ins with staff to coach and mentor lower‑level staff.

• Enter collected information using electronic tablets.
• Assist with presentations about the WDFW AIS Program.
• Assist in the implementation and expansion of the AIS unit.

• Ensure vehicles and equipment are safe and in working order through weekly review.
• Work with supervisor to provide staff with resources to maintain station facility.

Working Conditions

Work is performed primarily outdoors at watercraft inspection and decontamination stations, often in varying and sometimes extreme weather conditions. The position requires standing for extended periods, performing repetitive tasks, safely operating vehicles and decontamination equipment, and occasionally lifting materials and maintaining facilities.

Schedule

This position is full‑time, working 40 hours per week. The standard work schedule includes occasional evening or weekend work as needed. Schedules may vary based on business needs, time of year, and/or weather conditions. The incumbent may be required to respond on short notice to AIS watercraft during non‑scheduled hours.

Travel Requirements

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.

Customer Interactions

Interacts with the public at mandatory check stations for trailered watercraft and decontaminations of infested AIS watercraft and occasionally faces citizens who are non‑compliant or not cooperative.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Option 1: Two (2) years of experience as a Natural Resource Technician 2 and one (1) year of leadership/supervisory duties, plus a valid driver’s license.
• Option 2: Two (2) years of professional experience performing technical or paraprofessional duties related to aquatic invasive species, field inspection, biosecurity practices, and/or handling and decontaminating equipment, one (1) year of supervisory duties, plus a valid driver’s license.
• Option 3: Associate’s degree in biology, fisheries, wildlife management, natural resources, environmental science or closely related field, one (1) year of supervisory duties, plus a valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, fisheries, wildlife management, natural resources, environmental science or closely related field.
• Two (2) years of professional experience as an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) watercraft inspector/decontaminator with certifications in WIT Level 1, 2, and 3.

Your Application Should Include The Following

• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job…