Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program Staff - PW Seasonal (3/6 Month)

We need your help to protect our lakes from the spread of aquatic invasive species! Apply today to join our AIS Prevention Program team!

JOB SUMMARY:

This position fulfills seasonal Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program objectives by providing education and watercraft inspection and basic 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.

Seasonal Positions are available in the Public Works Aquatic Invasive Species Program. Length of season will vary depending on position but will fall within the 2026 season. These positions are open until filled and may be closed at any time. 
 

The Public Works Department currently has several vacancies for the 2026 Aquatic Invasive Species season:

• 6-month seasonal: 11 positions  (4/13/2026 - 10/10/2026)
• 3/4-month seasonal:  3 positions  (6/15/2026 - 9/19/2026)

Employees are required to work a weekly schedule at multiple sites that includes weekends, with shifts either starting as early as 5:00 a.m. or ending as late as 9:00 p.m. You are expected to work any holidays that fall within your assigned schedule.

This program is staffed 7 days per week from the 4th Saturday in April through the end of September (5am - 9pm). Training for the 6-month season begins on April 13, 2026.

Salary Information:

This position will start at Step 1 ($22.34/hour). Employees receive step increases on completion of 2080 hours in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement and City policy. The full salary range for this position is $22.34 - $29.14/hour. 

At the City of Bellingham, we offer the following benefits that help you thrive in both your career and personal life.

Benefit Information: 

• Three-Month Seasonal Positions: 
  • Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • 1 hour of Washington State paid sick leave accrued for every 40 hours worked.
  • This position is not eligible for benefits, except as required by law. 
• Six-Month Seasonal Positions: 
  • 1 hour of Washington State paid sick leave accrued for every 40 hours worked
  • Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security
  • Upon union eligibility, paid holidays during employment period
  • This position is not eligible for benefits, except as required by law. 

This position becomes represented by the Local 1937 bargaining unit after the completion of 1040 hours working an average of at least 12 hours per week, on an annual basis. You can find more details on our employment benefits page and labor agreements page.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Provides information to the public on aquatic invasive species prevention and management activities. 
2. Performs detailed watercraft inspections and basic decontaminations for the prevention of the spread and establishment of aquatic invasive species in Lake Whatcom, Lake Samish and other area lakes.
3. Conducts vessel history surveys with recreational boaters.  
4. Maintains accurate and detailed records of work performed.
5. Collects permit fees and maintains accurate sale and receipt records for each shift.
6. Inputs vessel, inspection and permit data using smart phones in the field. 
7. Communicates logistical needs to Supervisor.
8. Provides written and verbal reports as requested.
9. Represents the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program at various educational booth exhibits, displays and fairs. 
10. Maintains a professional presence and demeanor at all times.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES:
 

1. Performs other tasks and related duties as assigned. 

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed primarily outdoors near water bodies at both rural and urban locations for the duration of seasonal employment. Involves working independently outdoors for long hours in all types of weather. Stands or walks for extended periods of time over rough terrain when performing inspections and conducting vessel screening surveys. Some exposure to conditions such as dust, fumes, noise or odors may occur. Work is intermittently performed in an office setting which may require prolonged periods of sitting. Requires flexible working hours; including evenings, weekends and holidays. 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:

• Stand for long periods of time during inclement hot and cold weather
• Bend, squat, climb and reach on a frequent basis to inspect all internal compartments and surfaces of boats and trailers
• Fine finger dexterity to manipulate computer keyboard, mouse and inspection equipment
• Travel on foot to remote areas with uneven ground
• Travel and movement on a boat
• Collect and input monitoring and inspection data during inclement weather, and
• Occasionally lift and carry up to 50 lbs. 

Experience and Training

• Experience working with the public on a daily basis in public outreach, customer service or similar.
• Course work in environmental science or knowledge of lake aquatic ecology 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.

An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to provide the applicant with the knowledge, skills and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the job will be considered.

Necessary Special Requirements

• Valid Washington State driver's license and satisfactory driving record. Must provide a three-year driver's abstract prior to hire.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Employment contingent upon passing a criminal background check and child and vulnerable adult abuse records check (see Fair Hiring Practices below).
• Verification of ability to work in the United States by date of hire. 

Selection Process

**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.

This is a continuous recruitment. Complete applications will be sent to the department for further review. The Public Works department will contact the top candidates to schedule interviews.

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:

Our environment is characterized by respect for cultural backgrounds, belief systems, and ethnic diversity. The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its work force. 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.