Ballast Water Vessel Inspector - Marine Transportation and Safety Specialist

Title- Ballast Water Vessel Inspector
Classification- Marine Transportation and Safety Specialist 3
Job Status- Full-Time / Permanent
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Management
Duty Station- Ridgefield, Washington – Clark County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

As the Ballast Water Vessel Inspector, you’ll help protect Washington’s waters from aquatic invasive species and support the long‑term health of our marine ecosystems.

In this role, you’ll train to conduct onboard inspections of commercial vessels arriving in Washington State to ensure compliance with ballast water management regulations designed to prevent the spread of invasive species. You’ll work in active port environments throughout the Columbia River, Greys Harbor, and South Puget Sound.

This is a great opportunity for someone interested in maritime operations, environmental compliance, vessel inspection, and protecting Washington’s natural resources through hands‑on fieldwork and regulatory enforcement.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Ballast Water Vessel Inspector will,

• Assess daily vessel arrivals to identify the highest ballast water risks using vessel compliance history, department protocols, and professional judgement.
• Select, board, and inspect at least 5% of all targeted vessel arrivals in assigned region.
• Explain state laws and regulations and assist vessel officers and crew in meeting compliance objectives for state ballast water management.
• Complete required department inspection forms per protocols.

• Assess onboard evidence of ballast water management compliance using vessel records, equipment specifications, and certifications.
• Investigate and issue appropriate compliance actions per department protocols for vessel situations including Warnings, Notices of Correction, or recommendations for Notice of Penalty.
• Compile evidence to create professional and legally defensible compliance actions.

• Coordinate with the U.S. Coast Guard, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, and Washington Department of Ecology to support cooperative vessel management and minimize duplication of efforts on concurrent vessel boardings.
• Analyze, evaluate, and interpret vessel inspection data.
• Support the development and implementation of work plans, regulatory updates, performance measures, management forms, protocols, and procedures.
• Participate in state, regional, and national work groups as assigned.

• Conduct onboard testing of new protocols and equipment as directed.
• Analyze ballast water treatment system (BWTS) voyage maintenance records and annual independent laboratory performance test reports to support the development of new regulatory requirements.
• Assist senior staff in developing and evaluating enhanced vessel ballast water and biofouling risk assessment protocols.
• Develop, evaluate, and interpret protocols, tools, and performance measures used to assess the effectiveness of ballast water management practices.

Work is performed in potentially hazardous industrial port environments aboard merchant vessels conducting cargo operations. Board and inspect all types of vessels in a variety of weather conditions and physically access all areas of vessels, including climbing ladders and entering engine/pump rooms, and occasionally, ballast tanks to inspect ballast management activities. Frequently lift and carry a 40-pound gear bag. Handle hazardous biological sample preservation chemicals, such as Formalin and ethanol.

This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that…