Inspector Specialist Marine - Washington State Ferries

Posting number: 26DOT-WSF-90229

Department: Dept. of Transportation

Division: Washington State Ferries

Job classification: INSPECTOR SPECIALIST, MARINE

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Engineering, Transportation

Summary

About WSDOT

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal agency with a global reputation for excellence. Our dedicated workforce plans, designs, builds, and operates an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 20,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT leads an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, manages the world's longest floating bridge, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

Washington State Ferries (WSF) is an essential part of Washington's transportation network. Every year, we carry nearly 20 million passengers across Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands on more than 400 sailings a day. Our dedicated teams with over 2,100 people work together to serve our communities and shape the future of ferry travel. 

The Opportunity

WSF, a division of WSDOT, is currently seeking a Marine Inspector Specialist to help ensure the quality, safety, and reliability of vessel preservation repair projects that keep Washington State Ferries operating at their best. In this role, you will serve as a key field representative during shipyard contracts, helping ensure contractor work meets established technical standards while supporting the long-term maintenance and integrity of the fleet. Working collaboratively with internal teams and external partners, you will contribute to continuous process improvements that strengthen fleet maintenance and operational excellence. By upholding WSF's core values of Serve, Grow, Trust, Respect, and Navigate, you will play an important role in delivering safe, dependable ferry service to the communities of Washington State.

As we navigate a once-in-a-generation transformation to decarbonize our system — guided by our core values Serve, Respect, Trust, Grow Navigate, and bold strategic priorities Service Excellence, Improved Communication and Empowered People — there’s never been a more meaningful time to come aboard at Washington State Ferries.

What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, you/the Inspector Specialist Marine will:

• Inspect ferry vessel construction, preservation, structural, and piping work to verify compliance with contract requirements, technical specifications, approved drawings, and regulatory standards. 
• Monitor contractor performance, document inspection activities, identify deficiencies, and verify corrective actions throughout project execution. 
• Serve as a liaison between contractors and the Vessel Project Engineer to interpret contract requirements, resolve field issues, and provide technical clarification. 
• Assist in developing and reviewing technical specifications, work requests, contract documents, and change orders. 
• Evaluate structural, system, and material requirements, identify potential issues, and prepare project documentation, including reports and red-line markups. 
• Review and approve contractor-furnished equipment, materials, drawings, and construction work for compliance with applicable codes and regulations. 
• Support equipment commissioning, start-up activities, and factory acceptance testing to ensure successful project completion.
• Uphold WSF’s strategic priorities (Service Excellence, Improved Communication, and Empowered People) and values (Serve, Grow, Trust, Respect, and Navigate), ensuring they are embedded in WSF’s culture through leadership actions

Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity, the following are required:

• Marine Engineering and Vessel Systems – Knowledge of marine vessel systems including Structural steel, piping systems and preservation processes with the ability to learn more shipboard systems. Demonstrated proficiency in interpreting engineering drawings, technical specifications, and condition reports for marine vessels. Ability to assess vessel material condition, diagnose system deficiencies, and recommend repair approaches that align with operational requirements and industry standards. 
• Quality Assurance and Inspection activities – Knowledge of marine quality assurance practices, inspection protocols, and acceptance standards for shipyard work. Demonstrated proficiency evaluating contractor-furnishe