The Opportunity:

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has an exciting opportunity for a Highway Avalanche Forecaster on Snoqualmie Pass. As a member of the Avalanche Forecast and Control Team, this individual will play a critical role in ensuring people and commerce travel safely on our state highways through effective and efficient management of snow and avalanche related risks.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced skier with a strong background in avalanche forecasting, avalanche mitigation, and weather instrumentation. The selected individual will also have a desire to apply a variety of skills including triggering avalanches with explosives and ski cutting techniques, data management,  instrumentation experience, and alpine ski touring.

At WSDOT, we honor diversity in the workplace and support one another with respect and trust. If you would like to join our team-oriented environment and enjoy continuously changing environment, and yet with a great deal of career stability and growth, definitely consider a career opportunity with WSDOT.

This position will perform the following work:

• Perform daily and interval observations regarding weather, snow structure, and avalanche conditions.
• Record weather observations from remote stations.
• Enter and maintain weather and snow data for database and historical record compilation.
• Compose daily weather and avalanche outlook for WSDOT distribution.
• Use explosives in hand-placed and remote delivery applications for avalanche control.
• Perform work via snow cat, skis, hiking, climbing, and snowmobiles.
• Package and effectively communicate information pertinent to weather and snow structure, avalanche hazard, avalanche control activities, and other program needs.
• Maintain, construct, and install field observation equipment and explosive delivery systems.
• Use and maintain surplus military weaponry for avalanche control per AAUNAC standards.
• Respond to critical work tasks November through May.

An ideal candidate for this position will also have:

• Minimum of two (2) full-time winter seasons performing avalanche control, and forecasting as a professional ski patroller, highway avalanche forecaster, or employed by an avalanche center.
• Bachelor’s degree in a physical science such as Physics, Engineering, Meteorology, Physical Geography, Hydrology, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of safe handling and use of explosives.
• Knowledge of modern avalanche and weather forecasting techniques.
• Ability to travel mountainous terrain in deep snow while carrying a backpack weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to tolerate extreme weather conditions and work at heights.
• Ability to travel and ski advanced and complex avalanche terrain in heavy snow and adverse weather conditions.
• Experience with weather station sensors and systems, particularly Campbell Scientific, Inc.
• Artillery training per AAUNAC training standards.
• Advanced level avalanche education per American Avalanche Association guidelines for professional avalanche workers.
• Wilderness First Responder (WFR), Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC), or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training.
• Valid WA State Explosives Users License or the ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.
• Valid CDL Class B without air brake restriction and with hazardous materials endorsement, or ability to obtain within 6 months.

Note: This position is covered by a union shop provision. Therefore, as a condition of employment, you are required to become a member of the PTE, Local 17, or arrange to pay that union a representational fee. The union shop requirement shall be effective on the first day of the month following the employee’s initial 30 days in this classification.

How to Apply: Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Please select the large “apply” button at the top of this announcement. You may need to set up an account profile. To be considered for this position you will need to answer the supplemental questions, as part of the supplemental questions you will need to provide a letter of interest. Your letter of interest should describe how your experience, training and education make you a viable and competitive candidate for this position.

Contact us: For inquiries about this position, please contact Brionna Hughes at 509-577-1604 or email to hughebr@wsdot.wa.gov.  Please reference recruitment number 17DOT-SCR-50406

The Washington State Department of Transportation is an equal opportunity employer. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, and disabled and Vietnam era veterans are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may call the Office of Human Resources, at 360.705.7042 or email at jobinfo@wsdot.wa.gov.