Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program Staff - Bellingham

Nature of Work · 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 an ...

Job description

Nature of Work

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/ /10/2026)
3/4-month seasonal: 3 positions (6/15/ /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 $ $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

Provides information to the public on aquatic invasive species prevention and management activities.

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.

Conducts vessel history surveys with recreational boaters.
Maintains accurate and detailed records of work performed.
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.
Communicates logistical needs to Supervisor.
Provides written and verbal reports as requested.
Represents the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program at various educational booth exhibits, displays and fairs.
Maintains a professional presence and demeanor at all times.

Additional Duties

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.

Seasonal Positions Benefits vary depending on the length of the season.

All positions become represented by The Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees, Local 1937 bargaining unit after the completion of 1040 hours working an average of at least 12 hours per week, on an annual basis, during the 12 months preceding attainment of the 1040 hour threshold.

3-4 Month Recurring Seasonal

In a seasonal 3-4 month recurring position with the City of Bellingham, employees are allowed to work up to 40 hours per week, for no more than four months.

These positions are not eligible for benefits, except as required by law.

6 Month Recurring Seasonal

In a seasonal 6 month recurring position with the City of Bellingham, employees are allowed to work up to 40 hours per week, for no more than six months.

These positions are not eligible for benefits, except as required by law. These positions are covered by the State of Washington Department of Retirement Systems PERS plan. PERS requires mandatory employee and City contributions. Please visit the DRS website for more information on PERS.

8-9 Month Recurring Seasonal

In a seasonal 8-9 month recurring position with the City of Bellingham, employees are allowed to work up to 40 hours per week, for no more than nine months.

These positions are recurring each year and include Health Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision), Retirement Benefits (through Department of Retirement Systems) and Paid Leave (Holiday, Vacation, Sick) while in season.

See our benefits section for additional information.

This position is represented by The Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees, Local 1937 bargaining unit.

Specific benefit information including Holidays, Vacation Accruals, Health, Dental and Vision Plans with cost sharing and Deferred Compensation Match can be found in the Local 1937 labor agreement.

These positions are covered by the State of Washington Department of Retirement Systems PERS plan. PERS requires mandatory employee and City contributions. Please visit the DRS website for more information on PERS.

01

Thank you for your interest in this position at the City of Bellingham To ensure a consistent review, only the City of Bellingham job application and required supplemental documents will be reviewed.

Cover letters and resumes are not reviewed unless they are required as part of the process.

When applying for this position, you must thoroughly complete each section of your application, and provide a thorough response to each of the supplemental questions.

Please do not indicate "see resume" or copy content that is unrelated to the position being applied for from your resume when answering these questions.

Have you read and understood the information listed above?

Yes
No

02

Please select the Public Works position(s) you would like to be considered for.

Aquatic Invasive Species Program Staff - 3 Month Seasonal (June - October)
Aquatic Invasive Species Program Staff - 6 Months Seasonal (April - October)

03

Are you available to work a weekly schedule 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.

Yes
No

04

Do you have a valid Washington State driver's license or the ability to obtain one by time of hire and a good driving record? The successful candidate must submit a three-year driving record abstract prior to hire, with periodic submission of driving abstract per City policy.

Yes
No

05

Are you at least 18 years of age or older?

Yes
No

06

Are you willing to work at multiple sites as scheduled? (Bloedel Donovan, South Bay, Lake Samish, Sudden Valley, as well as in the office).

Yes
No

07

Do you have a high level of comfort using smart phones to collect and process data? (Note:
this is preferred but experience is not required)

Yes
No

08

Describe what you consider to be excellent customer/citizen relations. Please provide examples from your public outreach and customer service experience in your answer.

09

Describe your experience with watercraft and/or your knowledge in the areas of environmental science, aquatic invasive species, or Lake Whatcom aquatic ecology.

(Note:
this is preferred but experience is not required)

Required Question