Title- Watercraft Inspector 

Classification- Natural Resource Worker 2 

Job Status- Full-Time – Non-Permanent

Number of Vacancies- Two (2)

Appointment Length- 3 months – June 16, 2025 – September 15, 2025
WDFW Program- Fish Program  
Duty Station- Liberty Lake, Washington – Spokane County

The salary listed above does not include the 3% pay increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2025.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption: Aquatic Invasive Species Checks and Monitoring – Photo Credit: WDFW

This is an opportunity to support the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Division in its mission to protect Washington’s waterbodies and aquatic species. 

With your strong communication and data management skills, you will conduct thorough watercraft inspections and decontaminations, engage with the public to gather accurate information, and ensure precise data entry.

What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Watercraft Inspector will, 

Inspect aquatic conveyances, primarily recreational and commercial watercraft for aquatic invasive species:

• Interact with the public and conduct standardized interviews to collect watercraft information and history for record upload into multistate Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination (WID) database using provided iOS tablet.
• Follow watercraft inspection guidelines – including identification, collection and preservation of suspected aquatic invasive species.
• Report watercraft for decontamination with hot water pressure washer if presence of aquatic invasive species is found.

Site and equipment maintenance:

• Clean restrooms and pick up litter. 
• Routine maintenance for vehicles, trailered electronic reader boards, and electronic tablets.
• Landscape maintenance including but not limited to leaf removal, trimming hedges, weeding, mowing to maintain neat and safe outdoor areas.
• Maintain landscaping tools and equipment such as lawn mowers, trimmers and leaf blowers.

Working Conditions: 

Work Setting, including hazards: 

• 80% field – work outdoors around water and on land, sometimes independently in remote locations. Occasionally work during inclement weather and/or air quality, day, and night. Lifts/moves 50 pounds occasionally. Safely transport and operate equipment and tools.  
• 20% office – hazards include working under fluorescent light, repetitively entering data into computer and looking at computer monitor for long periods of time. 
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: 24/7 schedule. Work week will be Sunday to Saturday depending on when check stations are scheduled, often on weekends and holidays. 10 hours a day/40 hours a week, but occasionally will exceed the daily and weekly hours.
 
Travel Requirements: This position may require travel throughout the state and overnight travel up to four (4) days at times.

Tools and Equipment: ½ ton 4×4 trucks, trailers, trailer reader boards, hot-water pressure washer, personal computer, smart phones, and tablets.
 
Customer Interactions: Interact with the public at mandatory inspection stations for trailered watercraft and decontaminations of infested AIS watercraft and occasionally is confronted with the public that are non-compliant or not cooperative.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

Option 1: High school graduation or GED and three (3) months of natural resource related labor experience. 

Option 2: One (1) year as a Natural Resource Worker 1.

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid Driver’s License.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• May be required to pass a background check.
• Complete Watercraft Inspection Technician 1 (WIT 1) certification within 30 days of employment.
• Successful completion of agency training and/or certification per supervisory direction, position need, and training availability.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

• One (1) year of high school science and two (2) years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a biologist, chemist, or zoologist or other natural resource field.
• College course work involving major study in biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural sciences, or closely allied field.
• Watercraft Inspection Technician 1 (WIT 1) certified.
• Previous experience as a watercraft inspector. 
• Experience using computers, electronic tablets, and data collection applications.
• Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Roadside Safety certification.

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• An up-to-date resume. 
• A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
• At least three professional references with current contact information.

In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the “Benefits” tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.

Important Note: 

All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link:  https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

Union – WAFWP:

This position is in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals.

Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice: 

Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following: 

• Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov.  
• Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
  • Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2024-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

As part of WDFW’s efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications.  Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully.  All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer.  We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity.  Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Request an accommodation: Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.

Technical Difficulties: If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com. 

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-03971.

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