Vessel and Oil Transfer Inspector & Fishing Vessel Inspection Coordinator (MTSS 3)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Vessel and Oil Transfer Inspector & Fishing Vessel Inspection Coordinator (Marine Transportation Safety Specialist 3) within the Spill Prevention, Preparedness, and Response program.

Location:

• Northwest Region Office in Shoreline, WA.
• The salary listed includes 5% premium pay due to the position location in King County.
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Schedule:

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• This position requires field work and emergency response, while there is some office work and you may telework most of your office work time with occasional in-person meetings and activities.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by December 7, 2025
• This position will remain open until filled. The agency reserves the right to make a hire at any time after application review begins. Applications received after the date above may not be considered.

Duties

This position has the unique opportunity to work directly with the local and international maritime community to protect Washington waters from the threat of oil spills. In this position, you will work to prevent oil spills to Washington waters by conducting inspections on fishing vessels and other large commercial vessels to determine their oil spill risk. You will also inspect over-water oil transfers and investigate spills and marine casualties. You will have the opportunity to spend time each week out on the waterfront working with operators of fishing vessels, fuel barges, commercial marinas, and facilities delivering oil. You will be part of a skilled and dedicated inspection team and will develop in-depth knowledge of local maritime operations and oil spill prevention best practices.

What you will do:

• Schedule and conduct inspections of fishing vessels and other large commercial vessels, to determine their risk of oil spills.
• Provide fishing vessel subject matter expertise to the inspection team.
• Schedule and conduct oil transfer inspections.  
• Inspect regulated fuel terminals (Class 3) and regulated marinas (Class 4) to ensure compliance with regulations.
• Support spill investigation by providing technical assistance and performing spill incident and marine accident causal analysis investigations. 
• Serve as Prevention Duty Officer on a regular rotation during normal working hours.

Qualifications

For detailed information on how we calculate experience, please visit our Recruitment website.

Eight (8) years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience in vessel design, commercial vessel operations, vessel inspection/auditing, shipyard project inspection or closely related experience.
• Education in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, or closely related field.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 8 years of experience.
• 7 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 6 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 5 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 4 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree or higher.

Ability to conduct vessel and oil-transfer inspections
Including boarding vessels (at berth and at anchor), reviewing documents, interviewing crew, and determining compliance with regulations and industry standards.

Knowledge of or ability to learn maritime operations, vessel safety, and oil transfer regulations
Ability to interpret state regulations, industry standards, and technical procedures related to spill prevention.

Ability to safely access vessels in a marine environment
Must be able to climb gangways, pilot ladders, accommodation ladders, inclined ramps, and navigate multiple deck levels in various weather conditions while wearing required PPE.

Strong technical writing and communication skills
Ability to write clear inspection reports, spill investigation summaries, correspondence, and present information to internal and external audiences.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• This position is part of the Spills Program Incident Management Team (IMT) and Crisis Management Team and is required to complete Incident Command System (ICS) training at the level of 100, 300, 700 and 800.

           ICS 100: https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-100.c
           ICS 200: https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-200.c
           ICS 700: https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-700.b
           ICS 800: https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-800.c

• You must maintain HAZWOPER certification annually and continual training as required by the Program as they come available.
• Obtain the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC card) which entails a detailed background check.
• Hold and maintain eligibility and certification to permit travel to and from Canada, including passport or Enhanced Driver’s License.
• Hold and maintain a valid driver’s license and be able to operate a motor vehicle.
• Position requires a willingness and ability to occasionally work in excess of 40 hours per week and travel statewide or out-of-state including after-hours inspections seven days a week.

Desired Qualifications:

• United States Coast Guard license as a Master or Mate (of 1600 Gross Tons or greater) or Chief or Assistant Engineer.
• Seagoing experience as Officer in Charge of a Navigation Watch, Engine Department Watch, or Tankerman-PIC.
• Prior experience as a vessel inspector/examiner (Marine or Classification Society Surveyor; U.S. Coast Guard Marine Inspector; Port State Control Vessel examiner, or 3rd party vessel auditor).
• Experience with investigations and root cause analysis.
• Knowledge of design, construction, and operation of vessels.
• Knowledge of international, federal, and state maritime and environmental regulations.

If you are excited about this role but not sure if your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.

Supplemental Information

Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Our Commitment to DEIR

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology's work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.

Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.

Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive.

Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology’s work.

Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement.

We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued.

Application Process

Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified job seekers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Click “Apply” at the top of this page. Complete the entire application, including full work history and responses to all supplemental questions, and attach:

• Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position
• Resume

Because we base our selection on the information you provide, it is in your best interest to complete the application thoroughly. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields or supplemental question responses with comments such as “see resume” may be considered incomplete.

For detailed application information, please visit our Recruitment website.

Application Attestation: By submitting an application, you are affirming that the information contained in your application and on all attachments is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information, and any false or misleading answers may result in rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

Need an Accommodation?

If you need reasonable accommodation during the application and/or screening process, including this job announcement in an alternate format:

• Please contact us at 360-407-6186 or careers@ecy.wa.gov
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.

Questions?

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Sara Thompson at: Sara.Thompson@ecy.wa.gov 
• If you need assistance applying for this job, are inquiring about the status of your application, would like to request the full position description, or have any other questions, please contact the Recruitment Team at careers@ecy.wa.gov

The Spills Program’s mission is to protect, preserve, and restore Washington’s environment. Our vision is to create a zero spills world. 

About the Department of Ecology

As the State of Washington’s environmental protection agency, we are deeply committed to protecting, preserving, and enhancing Washington’s environment for current and future generations. Joining Ecology means becoming part of a team dedicated to protecting and sustaining healthy land, air, water, and climate in harmony with a strong economy. A career in public service at Ecology allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following: Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave, 11 Paid Holidays per year, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver,  Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP),  Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives, Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth *Click here for more information

To learn more about Ecology, please visit our website, explore Working at Ecology, check out our Strategic Plan, and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or our blog.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Ecology 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, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.  

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.

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