Compliance Officer – Diver

Natural Resource Specialist 1

Department of Natural Resources – Tumwater

Recruitment # 2020-11-4973

This is a full-time, permanent, represented position.

 Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?

This position is an opportunity to be part of a cohesive 13 person dive team working in and on the waters of Puget Sound on a daily basis. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Dive Team conducts important contract compliance activities for the State’s commercial geoduck clam fishery, and this position works on one of two crews made up of four (4) Natural Resource Specialist 1s (NRS1s) who are supervised by Team Leaders and Dive Supervisors.  The DNR Compliance officer-diver ensures management plans are followed and the fishery is harvested sustainably for future generations of people in the State of Washington. The position performs professional and skilled commercial SCUBA diving functions as directed by the DNR Dive Safety Manual and under established DNR policies and guidelines. To be successful you should understand the value of team dynamics, you should love to dive, be a positive influence, and have the ability to take the initiative to aid in achieving positive results.

The DNR Geoduck Program generates annual revenue for the State through commercial harvest of geoduck clams. It requires a compliance dive team for enforcing contract requirements and ensuring a safe and cooperative fishery. Compliance staff perform professional and skilled technical functions and contract administration duties throughout Puget Sound and other navigable marine waters of the state. The position requires the ability to track events, vessels, crewmembers and contract divers, record and correctly calculate weights to verify shellfish catch records (fish tickets), and document activity in daily vessel logs. All diving is conducted under established DNR policies and in accordance with the DNR Dive Safety Manual.

What we will trust you with:

• Valuing others, creating a positive work environment that allows each employee to teach others through trust, inclusiveness and equity
• Personal Accountability
• Effective Communication
• Inspiring Others
• Commitment to Workforce Diversity

Who are we looking for?

The right candidate has:

• Documented experience and advanced certifications in SCUBA and/or Surface Supplied Air diving.  Demonstrated capability to perform underwater tasks in cold water and low visibility environments using the SCUBA mode of diving.
• Experience operating vessels.
• Ability to operate GPS-chart plotter, radar, VHF radios and other communications devices such as cell phones and emergency beacons.
• Ability to accurately observe and track on water activity, record data, and manage compliance related information in computer spreadsheets, logs, and other conventional means.
• Ability to think clearly, communicate effectively, and take appropriate action under adverse conditions or emergency response situations.
• Recognition that safety and documentation are essential to the job.
• Ability to write reports clearly and concisely.
• Ability to use the Microsoft Suite including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Power Point programs.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service and a strong desire to carry out completion of work objectives.
• The incumbent in this position is required to travel.
• Finalist will be required to take part in a Pre-hire pool exercise for demonstrating proficiency in basic SCUBA principles and comfort in the water.
• Prior to a new hire, a pre-employment reasonable suspicion drug test and background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• If hired, this position requires the employee to operate vessels on the water as part of their professional duties. Successful applicants are required to complete a DNR approved boater safety education course, vessel operations task book, and pass a skills test within six (6) months of employment.
• If hired, this position requires sustaining a minimum of twelve (12) dives annually to maintain dive status on the Dive Team.
• If hired, this position requires passing an annual dive physical exam performed by a licensed physician with a board certification in Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine.
• If hired, the incumbent must retain dive status as a member of the DNR Commercial Dive Team, read, understand and adhere to the DNR Diving Safety Manual, polices, and operating procedures.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and have two years of driving experience. This position requires driving as an essential function. Employees who drive for state business, whether in a state or privately-owned vehicle, are required to possess a valid license as defined in policy PO02-006 and abide by all other driver responsibility requirements. Finalists and/or interview candidates will be asked to provide a driving record from all states in which they have held a license during the past three years.

Desirable Qualifications:

• A combination of education and/or paid work experience in aquaculture, fisheries, forestry, business, criminal justice, geology or a related natural science.
• Accomplished SCUBA diver having completed an accredited professional or commercial dive school or equivalent military dive training and having 50 or more logged dives.
• Knowledge of the State Commercial Wild Stock Geoduck Fishery.
• Knowledge of diving regulations (WACs, CFRs) and industry standards related to commercial diving activities and life support equipment maintenance requirements.
• General working knowledge of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, DNR and Department of Health regulations pertaining to the harvesting and transporting of shellfish.
• General working knowledge of Tribal Treaty Rights in Washington State as part of the Federal Court “Boldt” and “Rafeedie” decisions.
• Knowledge of scientific principles and biology of marine invertebrates, preferably with an emphasis on shellfish.
• Class A commercial Driver’s License.
• Ability to tow boat trailers.
• Knowledge in contract administration and compliance.
• Knowledge and experience in photography/videography (land/underwater).
• Experience leading dive operations in the role of Designated-Person-In-Charge (DPIC).
• Skill in vessel operation in a variety of weather and traffic conditions, particularly within Washington’s inland marine waters. Knowledge of USCG regulations and six months experience operating vessels in marine waters.
• Have a current dive physical exam performed by a licensed physician with a board certification in Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine.

The Location

One of the world’s most scenic places, Washington State offers breathtaking discoveries for people who love natural beauty and outdoor recreation, from the Pacific Coast shores to the rugged Cascade Mountains to the rolling hills of the Palouse. Your office will be located in Tumwater.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, telework (mobile-work) is expected for most office activities. When approved to return, the incumbent is expected to report to their assigned duty station for work activities or may be approved for telework based on DNR’s telework policy.

 Why work for DNR?

At DNR, we value public service, innovation and creative problem solving, safety and well-being, and leadership and teamwork. At DNR you’ll support the vision of a sustainable future by using your skills to protect and manage the state’s natural resources for both current and future generations. As a DNR employee, you’ll work with the public’s interest in mind as we manage more than 5 million acres of state-owned forest, range, commercial, agricultural and aquatic lands. But managing lands is only half of our story. We house the Washington Geological Survey, a dynamic program that is the primary source of geological products and services in support of decision making in Washington. We also protect other public resources such as fish, wildlife, water, and provide public access to outdoor recreation. Two of our largest and most important state-wide resource protection responsibilities are fire prevention and suppression, and overseeing forest practices.

We are nearly 1,500 employees strong and dedicated to making DNR a great place to work. Our mission is to serve Washington’s lands and communities; build strong and healthy rural communities; enhance forest health and wildfire management; strengthen the health and resilience of our lands and waters; and increase public engagement and commitment to our public lands and resources. In partnership with citizens and governments, we provide innovative leadership and expertise to ensure environmental protection, public safety, perpetual funding for schools and communities, and a rich quality of life.  At DNR we approach our work through the lens of making Washington a better place environmentally, economically and socially for current and future generations.

What makes DNR a great place to work?

• Commitment to organizational health and wellness
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council
• Leadership that empowers and supports employees
• Work/life balance
• Leadership development opportunities
• Educational aid and career development stipends
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
• Opportunities to participate in wildland fire suppression assignments
• Opportunities to stretch your professional skills
• A comprehensive benefit package that includes employer contributions toward health insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans, sick leave and vacation days. Visit http://careers.wa.gov/benefits.html for more information.

Application Process
To be considered you must apply online at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above). You must complete the entire online application to be considered for the position.
Required Attachments:

• A letter of interest describing how your experience and qualifications relate to the position profile, required and desired position qualifications, and special position requirements.
• Your resume – do not add it into the text of the application, it must be an attachment.
• The names of three to five professional references – you may attach a document, use the References text field in the online application, or include with resume.

Questions?  Please contact Brad Pruitt at (360) 480-4802, brad.pruitt@dnr.wa.gov  or e-mail us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.

This recruitment may be extended depending on the quantity and quality of the application pool. This recruitment may also be used to fill future similar vacancies for sixty (60) days.

Once you submit your online application, you can check your status by logging into your account. If you experience technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application call NEOGOV toll-free at (855)524-5627 or email CareersHelp@des.wa.gov.

Washington State Department of Natural Resources is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind.  We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities in a fair and impartial manner for all persons without regard to age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, creed, color, national origin, religion, pregnancy/parental status, genetic information, military status, political affiliation, criminal history or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability.  Persons with a disability who need assistance during the screening process or those needing this announcement in an alternative format may contact DNR Recruiting staff (360) 902-1350 or (360) 902-1139.  DNR may be contacted using the Washington State Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) by dialing 711.