AIS Prevention Program Staff Lead

Passionate about protecting our waters? As part of the Aquatic Invasive Species Program, you'll contribute to essential efforts to protect our aquatic ecosystems from harmful invasive species. This position offers an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the environment and the communities that depend on it.

This position fulfills seasonal Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention Program objectives by providing education, watercraft inspection and decontamination services to recreational boaters. The position will interact with members of the public, collect and track survey information, provide boat inspection and decontamination training and communicate with other state and local government staff. This position is responsible for assisting in the preparation and launch of the AIS season as well as in the gathering of data and report preparation at the end of the season. Serves as lead to lower classified AIS Program Staff with responsibility for providing on-site instruction, day-to-day direction, communication and assisting in ensuring professional delivery of service to the public. Supports the stormwater program through assisting with field inspections of privately owned stormwater systems to ensure private stormwater facilities are functioning as permitted and designed and responds to complaints and reports of stormwater violations such as illicit discharges.

Salary Information and Benefits:

This position will start at Step 1 ($22.98/hour). Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees, Local 1937 Collective Bargaining Agreement and City policy. The full hourly range for this position is $ $28.07. For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures.

At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life. Join our team and enjoy the peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are well cared for. Here's a closer look at the outstanding benefits that come with being part of our team. You can find more details on our employment benefits page and labor agreements page.

• 10 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
• 12 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday per year
• 8 hours sick leave accrued monthly
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security
• Optional 457 deferred compensation (Retirement Savings Plan) with employer match

Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employees to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.

Closing Date/Time: Fri. 10/31/25, 4:30 PM Pacific Time

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB:

• Performs detailed watercraft inspections and decontaminations for the prevention of the spread and establishment of aquatic invasive species in Lake Whatcom, Lake Samish and other area lakes. Including full decontaminations of high-risk watercraft by following standard protocols used by watercraft inspection and decontamination programs in the western United States.
• Provides day-to-day oversight of lower classified AIS staff and assists in ensuring the safe and efficient performance of daily work while providing a high level of customer service to the public. Provides on-site instruction and direction and supports the Aquatic Invasive Species Program Coordinator in implementing and communicating work assignments. Refers technical questions, conflicts and personnel issues to the Supervisor.
• Assists in the hiring and training of lower classified AIS Prevention Program seasonal staff. Provides support in reviewing experience and training requirements and implementing the annual open house hiring event. Participates in the selection process for program staff as assigned. Assists in providing training for hands-on and group inspections and other technical inspection functions.
• Provides information to the public on aquatic invasive species prevention and management activities. Represents the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program at various educational booth exhibits, displays and fairs. Assists with various scheduled events such as races, fishing tournaments, or rowing clinics that require expedited inspections of many boats in a short period of time.
• Conducts vessel history surveys with recreational boaters.
• Maintains accurate and detailed records of work performed. Performs inspection data review and analysis at the end of the season to aid in the generation of tables and figures for the annual Aquatic Invasive Species Program report. Collects permit fees and maintains accurate sale and receipt records for each shift. Inputs vessel, inspection and permit data using smart phones in the field.
• Participates and provides feedback in regular lead staff meetings to assess the effectiveness of the Aquatic Invasive Species Program. Supports and engages with seasonal staff by bringing their concerns and comments to lead staff meetings.
• Participates in the scheduling and completion of off-site AIS inspections.
• Communicates logistical needs to Supervisor.
• Provides written and verbal reports as requested.
• Assists with regularly scheduled early detection monitoring activities to detect new invasive species introductions.
• Provides support to the stormwater program; schedules and assists the Stormwater Inspector in conducting inspections of privately owned stormwater systems.
• Responds to stormwater complaints and violations submitted through the Stormwater Hotline and the Department of Ecology Emergency Response Tracking System (ERTS). Provides education and guidance to the responsible party related to stormwater resources.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES:

• Performs other related work of a similar nature and level.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed primarily outdoors near water bodies at both rural and urban locations. The position involves working independently outdoors for long hours in all types of weather. Moves and navigates over rough terrain or remains stationary for extended periods of time when performing inspections and conducting vessel screening surveys. Some exposure to conditions such as dust, fumes, noise or odors may occur. Work is also performed in an office setting which may require prolonged periods maintaining a stationary position. Requires flexible working hours, including early mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays. Travel may be required to attend training. Employees are required to wear personal protective equipment, use appropriate safety equipment and follow standard safety practices.

Physical ability to perform the essential functions of the job including:

• Remain stationary for long periods of time during inclement hot and cold weather.
• Frequently positions self to go beneath, ascend, descend and work atop boats, stormwater systems and trailers to inspect all internal compartments and surfaces. Work is often completed in small compartments with limited space.
• Operate a computer keyboard, mouse and inspection equipment.
• Conduct monitoring activities, which involves physically positioning self in the lake and moving to collect deep water samples from the bottom.
• Travel to remote areas with uneven ground.
• Travel and move about on a boat.
• Collect and input monitoring and inspection data during inclement weather.
• Frequently lifts objects up to 80 lbs., such as manhole covers, and stormwater grates.

• Minimum of six months AIS Prevention Program experience.

• One year of experience working with the public daily in public outreach, education, customer service or similar.

• Course work in environmental science or demonstrated general knowledge of lake aquatic ecology.
• Demonstrated experience in a team leader role preferred.
• Experience working with watercraft or basic knowledge of watercraft design and operation preferred.

• High level of comfort using smart phones to collect and process data preferred.

• Experience and comfort towing (and backing in) trailers preferred.

• Experience in a stormwater related field is preferred.

• Valid Washington State driver's license and satisfactory driving record. Must provide a three-year driver's abstract prior to hire.

• Verification of ability to work in the United States by date of hire.

• Watercraft Inspection Training Level II Inspector and Decontaminator certification required within three months of hire.

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Employment is contingent upon passing a Washington State Adult/Child Abuse records check, criminal conviction and local background check.
• Failure to secure required certification or skill standards within established time limits will result in dismissal.

**You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along**

Please ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and supplemental questions). Application materials should comprehensively document your experience and skills related to the position responsibilities and experience/training requirements. As part of the City's commitment to reducing bias in the hiring process, Human Resources redacts personally identifiable information for reviewers. Only the documents listed as required will be reviewed.

Application Review Process:

• Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must provide specific, detailed information so an initial determination can be made regarding your level of qualifications for this position. Applicant status will be updated on or around November 4, 2025.
• Experience and Training Rating: Applicants that meet minimum qualifications will go through an Experience and Training Rating. Applicant status will be updated on or around November 12, 2025.
• The top eight (8) scoring applicants from the Experience and Training Rating will be invited to participate in an Oral Board Interview, tentatively scheduled for the week of November 17, 2025. Applicants must have a passing score of 60% or higher to be placed on the eligibility register.
• Applicants will be notified via email of Final Scores & Ranks. The final ranking of the register will be based on total scores for the following Experience and Training Rating (40%) and Oral Board Interview (60%).

Final candidates will be referred to the department for additional examination, assessment, or test.

This recruitment process will create a Civil Service eligibility register that will be used to fill current and future vacancies as they become available. There is currently 1 full-time vacancy in Public Works. This position is represented by a union.

If you wish to claim Veterans' Preference Points, please complete the Veterans Scoring Criteria Declaration Form (Download PDF reader) and upload it to your application with your DD214.

Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently, including your spam folders for messages filtered by your email providers.

Equal Opportunity:

The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.

Fair Hiring Practices

• The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.
• The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.
• The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.
• The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.