Inspector Specialist Marine - Washington State Ferries

State of Washington•Out of State, WA

15h•Onsite

About The Position

Washington State Ferries (WSF), a division of WSDOT, is seeking three Inspector Specialist, Marine positions to serve as senior marine inspectors supporting new vessel construction and modification activities in Panama City, Florida. These roles provide critical oversight of shipyard work to help ensure vessels are built and modified in alignment with contract expectations, approved plans, and applicable standards. Serving as owner representatives, these positions help identify and resolve issues early, supporting quality, safety, and accountability throughout the construction process. Through this work, the Inspector Specialists contribute directly to WSF’s mission of providing safe, reliable ferry service for the communities and travelers who depend on Washington’s marine highway system. As we navigate a once-in-a-generation transformation to decarbonize our system — guided by our core values Serve, Respect, Trust, Grow Navigate, and bold strategic priorities Service Excellence, Improved Communication and Empowered People — there’s never been a more meaningful time to come aboard at Washington State Ferries.

Requirements

Valid Driver’s License – Possession of a valid state-issued driver’s license, as demonstrated through application materials and eligibility to operate a motor vehicle for business purposes.
On-Site Availability – Ability to work on-site in Panama City, Florida, up to 100% of the time, as demonstrated through work history, availability, or applicant responses.
Marine Construction Inspection – Experience conducting inspections, surveillance, testing observations, acceptance reviews, or quality assurance activities related to vessel construction, fabrication, repair, or marine industrial projects.
Contract and Regulatory Compliance – Experience evaluating work for compliance with contract requirements, specifications, industry standards, regulatory requirements, or quality control criteria.
Engineering Drawing and Technical Document Interpretation – Ability to read, interpret, and apply engineering drawings, plans, specifications, construction documents, and technical requirements to verify installation, material usage, and workmanship.
Marine Systems and Vessel Construction Knowledge – Demonstrated knowledge of vessel layout, ship construction processes, fabrication methods, welding, piping systems, electrical systems, marine equipment, materials, and safety practices.
Technical Problem Solving and Issue Resolution – Experience identifying technical, production, design, quality, or compliance issues; analyzing impacts; communicating findings; and supporting resolution efforts.
Stakeholder Communication and Coordination – Experience communicating technical information and coordinating with contractors, engineers, project teams, regulatory agencies, or other stakeholders to support project objectives and compliance.
Technical Documentation and Reporting – Experience preparing, reviewing, or maintaining inspection reports, daily activity reports, deficiency reports, project correspondence, technical documentation, or contract records.
Regulatory and Standards Knowledge – Experience applying or interpreting contract documents, industry standards, codes, regulations, or U.S. Coast Guard requirements in a marine, construction, engineering, or industrial environment.
Project Organization and Accountability – Demonstrated ability to manage priorities, meet deadlines, maintain accurate records, provide timely information, and produce quality work with attention to detail.
Independent Judgment and Initiative – Experience working independently, exercising professional judgment, prioritizing competing demands, and implementing solutions within established policies, procedures, and project requirements.
Continuous Learning and Adaptability – Demonstrated commitment to learning, adapting to changing priorities, acquiring new technical knowledge, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives.
Customer and Service Orientation – Experience supporting internal or external customers through responsive communication, collaboration, and a commitment to meeting stakeholder needs.
Marine Construction and Industry Practices Knowledge – Working knowledge of marine construction methods, equipment, materials, estimating practices, project costs, and vessel construction processes, as demonstrated through relevant experience, training, or education.
Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Eligibility – Ability to obtain and maintain a valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) within six months of hire and maintain credential eligibility throughout employment, as demonstrated through applicant attestation and compliance with federal credentialing requirements.

Nice To Haves

Shipyard Construction or Owner’s Representative Experience – Experience serving as a shipyard employee, owner’s representative, military equivalent, or project-level lead responsible for vessel construction, overhaul, renovation, repair, or modernization projects.
Marine Inspection or Survey Experience – Experience performing vessel inspections, surveys, audits, certifications, or compliance reviews for a regulatory agency, classification society, shipyard, vessel owner, or similar organization.
Professional Engineering Application – Experience applying engineering principles in ship design, marine engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or related technical disciplines.
Regulatory Agency or Classification Society Interface – Experience coordinating with organizations such as the U.S. Coast Guard, American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), or similar regulatory or classification authorities.
Complex Marine Project Experience – Experience supporting large-scale marine construction, vessel modernization, shipyard production, or capital improvement projects involving multiple stakeholders and technical disciplines.

Responsibilities

Inspect surface preparation, coatings, structural fabrication, and piping installation to ensure compliance with WSF specifications, contract requirements, industry standards, and regulatory requirements.
Witness testing, coating evolutions, factory acceptance trials, commissioning, and startup activities to support vessel acceptance and operational readiness.
Identify deficiencies and nonconformances, reject unacceptable work, and verify corrective actions to ensure quality and contract compliance.
Coordinate with contractors, regulatory agencies, manufacturers, Project Engineers, and WSF engineering staff to interpret specifications, drawings, and technical requirements.
Provide technical oversight to ensure proper installation of coatings, mechanical equipment, and approved materials.
Prepare inspection reports, daily reports, deficiency reports, correspondence, and other project documentation; communicate project status, delays, and compliance issues.
Review contractor documentation, including as-built drawings, specifications, submittments, and time-and-material reports for accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
Assist with testing procedures, progress validation, technical recommendations, and lessons learned to support successful project delivery and continuous improvement.
Uphold WSF’s strategic priorities (Service Excellence, Improved Communication, and Empowered People) and values (Serve, Grow, Trust, Respect, and Navigate), ensuring they are embedded in WSF’s culture through leadership actions.