Ballast Water Vessel Inspector - Marine Transportation and Safety Specialist 3 - Perm - 2026-09098

State of Washington•Snohomish County – Other, WA

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Ballast Water Vessel Inspector helps protect Washington’s waters from aquatic invasive species by conducting onboard inspections of commercial vessels arriving in Washington State. The role ensures compliance with ballast water management regulations and involves hands-on fieldwork and regulatory enforcement in active port environments throughout the Strait of Juan de Fuca, mid-Puget Sound (including Seattle and Everett), and north Puget Sound up to the Canadian border. The position is based in Stanwood, Washington, and offers a hybrid schedule, with onsite work as needed and up to four days of telework. The selected candidate must be available for onsite meetings and business needs. The inspector assesses vessel arrivals for ballast water risk, selects and boards targeted vessels, evaluates onboard compliance evidence, and takes appropriate compliance actions. The role also includes coordination with other agencies, inspection data analysis and reporting, participation in work groups, and supporting the development and testing of protocols, regulatory updates, and risk assessment tools. The position is full-time and requires travel between state ports, which may average approximately 1,500 to 3,000 miles per month. Work takes place in potentially hazardous industrial port environments and aboard merchant vessels during cargo operations. Inspectors must access vessel areas including ladders, engine and pump rooms, and occasionally ballast tanks; work in varied weather; carry inspection equipment; and handle biological sample preservation chemicals. The role may also involve working in or near water and regular interaction with regulated industry representatives, including complex or confrontational situations.

Requirements

A qualifying education and experience pathway: Option 1 requires a Bachelor of Science or master's degree with major study in marine engineering, nautical industrial science, naval architecture, or a closely related field, plus four years of professional-level experience in vessel design or vessel inspection.
Option 2 requires a Bachelor of Science or master's degree with major study in environmental planning, natural sciences, or a closely related field, plus four years of professional-level experience in maritime operations, aquatic invasive species management, environmental compliance, or closely related regulatory or scientific work, including at least two years in vessel design or vessel inspection. Experience may be gained concurrently.
Option 3 requires a Ph.D. in environmental planning, marine engineering, natural sciences, nautical industrial science, naval architecture, or a closely related field, plus two years of professional-level experience in vessel design or vessel inspection.
Qualifying experience must include substantial professional-level work in at least two listed knowledge areas, including at least one from Part A and one from Part B. Part A includes shipping regulatory and management operations; vessel operations; vessel and port safety requirements; ballast water management system operations, testing, and quality control for regulatory purposes; or related commercial vessel inspection duties. Part B includes aquatic invasive species risks and management techniques; working effectively with vessel managers, agents, officers, and crew; field research, sampling, monitoring, and testing; or related natural resource duties and environmental compliance.
Closely related qualifying experience may substitute for required education on a year-by-year basis.
A current Maritime License for Marine Officer or Marine Engineer may substitute for the education requirement.
Valid driver's license.
Must undergo a federal background check as part of obtaining a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) or similar federal credential.
Must be able to board and inspect vessels in varied weather and physically access vessel areas, including climbing ladders and entering engine/pump rooms and occasionally ballast tanks.
Must frequently lift and carry a 40-pound gear bag.
Must handle hazardous biological sample preservation chemicals, such as Formalin and ethanol.
Must be available for onsite work and in-person meetings as required, despite the hybrid schedule.
Must be able to travel between state ports; travel may average approximately 1,500 to 3,000 miles per month.
Must be available for occasional evening or weekend work as needed.

Nice To Haves

Results orientation and initiative, including proactively identifying needs and taking appropriate action.
Independent decision-making consistent with Agency, Program, and Division policy, with appropriate involvement of supervisors or others.
Clear, concise written and verbal communication and keeping supervisors and coworkers informed of relevant matters.
Strategic planning that considers organizational mission and values and integrates plans as needed.
Ability to develop and maintain effective internal and external partnerships that support the Agency’s mission and goals.

Responsibilities

Assess daily vessel arrivals to identify the highest ballast water risks using compliance history, department protocols, and professional judgment.
Select, board, and inspect at least 5% of targeted vessel arrivals in the assigned region.
Explain state laws and regulations and assist vessel officers and crew with meeting ballast water management compliance objectives.
Complete required inspection forms according to department protocols.
Assess onboard evidence of ballast water management compliance using vessel records, equipment specifications, and certifications.
Investigate and issue appropriate compliance actions, including warnings and notices of correction, or recommend notices of penalty.
Compile evidence to support professional and legally defensible compliance actions.
Coordinate with the U.S. Coast Guard and Department of Ecology on cooperative vessel management and concurrent boardings.
Analyze, evaluate, and interpret vessel inspection data.
Assist senior staff with annual and biennial compliance, accomplishment, and recommendation reports.
Support development and implementation of work plans, regulatory updates, performance measures, management forms, protocols, and procedures.
Participate in assigned state, regional, and national work groups.
Conduct onboard testing of new protocols and equipment as directed.
Analyze ballast water treatment system voyage maintenance records and annual independent laboratory performance test reports to support development of 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 for assessing ballast water management effectiveness.
Travel between state ports and conduct vessel inspections in the assigned region.