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Aquatic Training Specialist - Program Specialist 4 - 2 Positions - Permanent - *03143-25
Washington Department of Natural Resources
Thurston County, WA, USA
Posted on May 1, 2025
Description
-
Number of Vacancies- Two (2) Positions
Working Title- Aquatic Training Specialist
Classification- Program Specialist 4
Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program- Director’s Office – Human Resources DivisionDuty Station- *Olympia, Washington – Thurston County
*Although this is a hybrid opportunity, the successful candidate must be available to report to the duty station located in Olympia, Washington as needed. The selected candidate may be able to telework/work remotely up to 3 days per week at the discretion of the supervisor.
Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!
Photo Caption: Swiftwater rescue training – Photo Credit: WDFW
Embrace this role to work with a team of program training professionals collaborating to provide specialized training and support for job tasks that are required to meet the mission of the agency on or around water (operating motorized and non-motorized vessels, snorkeling, diving, electro-fishing) and in remote land areas.
This is an opportunity to plan and deliver a variety of courses across the agency either by instructing or managing instruction contracts, and ensuring course completions are documented in the learning management system.
With your experience, you will provide training to enhance and protect the safety of employees, volunteers, student interns, and contractors who perform essential agency functions operating a variety of watercraft on or around all bodies of water and fly in aircraft.
We are seeking candidates to be our leads for motorized boating operations, swiftwater, stream-walking, electrofishing, and commercial fisheries observer training.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position will:
Subject matter expert and primary Trainer responsible to organize, instruct, facilitate, and contract training for job tasks involving the safe operation of motorized and non-motorized vessels, fishery observer, stream-walking, and electro-fishing. Training courses also include snorkeling, diving, and cold-water survival.
- Maintain agency designated instructor certifications to provide consultation, training, and evaluation of courses.
- Instruct and/or co-facilitate agency courses to include Motorboat Operator Training Course, Washington State Boater Education, CPR/First Aid, policies, and standard operating procedures.
- Coordinate in the development and management of contracted training.
- Track and compile data and submit monthly reports to demonstrate training progress, noncompliance, safety incidents, budget, and organization-wide improvements.
- Utilize and monitor course evaluations to maintain fidelity to the training models by collecting, evaluating, and integrating feedback into courses for continuous improvement.
- Evaluate employee MOTC instructors to maintain fidelity to training models and utilization of adult learning principles.
Responsible to manage training and equipment logistics and maintenance.
- Coordinate the training facilities and locations for classroom, pools, and marinas for open water activities.
- Coordinate and transport as necessary all watercraft safety training vehicles, vessels, personal protective equipment (PPE), and equipment for training use and maintenance.
- Maintain storage, drying, and inventory of watercraft training PPE’s.
- Schedule agency trainings confirm location, time, room, and trainers.
- Accurately track expenditures and forecast operating budget, in close coordination with the Training Coordinator and Training Manager.
Assist in development of agency policies and standard operating procedures that includes operations, personal protective equipment, working remote and/or alone, and emergency procedures.
- Provide expert recommendations and feedback for Safety Professionals as they develop the accident prevention program.
- Establish protocol for continuous evaluation and program/training improvements.
- Contribute subject matter expertise to program Safety Committees and the agency Safety Council, as required.
- Develop and provide training on requirements based on policies, standard operating procedures, equipment, and emergency procedures.
Other duties as assigned.
- Under the direction of the Training Manager, evaluate incidents/near misses and provide training recommendations to management avoid future incidents.
- Under the direction of the Training Manager, respond as directed to concerns, requests and reports received by employees, management, agency partners and the public by conducting a thorough review, providing training recommendations.
- Under the direction of the Training Manager, provide consultation to supervisors, programs, and HR Consultants on training issues.
Working Conditions:
Work setting: Remote areas (Forests, Canyons, with limited cell phone service or VHF radio signal during hot and cold conditions), office, operating watercraft in open water and river environments including up to class 3+ rapids, swimming in open water and up to class 2+ rapids, driving a state-owned vehicle and trailering watercraft. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.
Schedule: Typically, Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Workload demands may require work outside the assigned work hours and adjustment of work schedules. Telework schedules will be evaluated by the Training Manager on a case-by-case basis.
Travel requirements: Frequent travel to provide statewide training.
Customer Interactions: Executive Management Team, Supervisors/Manager and employees, volunteers, student interns, contractors, external partners and public interaction.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required Qualifications:
A Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Organizational Development, Training, Occupational Health and Safety, Natural Resources, Recreation Resource Management, Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement, Risk Management or closely allied field.
And
Two (2) years of professional, full time, paid experience in a specialized professional program in a government or private agency that included responsibility for training/education, safety, logistics coordination, and consultation with a variety of stakeholders.
Please note: Additional qualifying experience will substitute year-for-year for education.
License: Valid driver’s license.
Experience in/with:
- Adult learning principles.
- Developing and modifying curriculum.
- Applying and teaching comprehensive policies and procedures.
- Organizational change management and systems development.
- Watercraft operations and best practices for safety.
- Operating multiple forms of watercraft.
- Evaluating and providing feedback for competency and continuous learning.
- Solving problems with professional judgement and safety best practices.
- Working independently with administrative direction.
- Facilitating group meetings.
- Written and verbal communication.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
- This position must maintain Instructor Certification for identified agency safety trainings including MOTC/MOCC, CPR/First Aid, Blood Borne Pathogens, and AED. (Must be obtained withing one year of hire.)
- This position must have a Washington State Boater Education Card. (Must be obtained withing one year of hire.)
Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:
- A Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Organizational Development, Training, Occupational Health and Safety, Natural Resources, Recreation Resource Management, Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement, Risk Management, or closely allied field and two (2) years of professional, full time, paid experience instructing watercraft safety training.
- Current Instructor Certification with the Scientific Boating Association’s Motorboat Operator Training Course (MOTC) and/or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC).
- Current HSI CPR/First Aid.
- Washington State Boater Education Card.
Your application should include the following:
- A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
- An up-to-date resume.
- A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
- At least three (3) professional references with current contact information.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the “Benefits” tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.
Important Note:
All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice:
Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following:
- Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at Cheri.Potter@dfw.wa.gov.
- Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
- Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
- Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2024-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran).
- Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer
As part of WDFW’s efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications. Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully. All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife 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, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.
Request an accommodation: Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.
Technical Difficulties: If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.
Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to Cheri.Potter@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-03143.
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