Check out this beautiful place. Now, imagine if this was your home office four days per week from sunrise to sunset.
This is the Cedar River Watershed – just 35 miles east of Seattle – and if you have dreams of spending hours in a nature-filled environment while getting paid to do so, keep reading.
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is looking for people who enjoy working outdoors independently to join its watershed protection team. Watershed protection staff put on a uniform each day, hop into their utility vehicle, and drive through one of the most pristine places in the state. Their mission is to ensure the source of Seattle’s drinking water remains protected from unauthorized access and any other threats.
As a watershed protection team member, some days you will patrol the 100,000 total acres of the Tolt and Cedar River Watersheds by foot while installing signs in remote areas. Other days you will travel by boat or aircraft to monitor and collect hydrological data and water samples. Responding to hazardous material spills and emergencies, supporting search and rescue missions, providing medical aid, and controlling for wildfires are some of the other awesome responsibilities of watershed protection staff.
Safety is a top priority for SPU. That is why we equip each watershed protection staff member with some of the most technological and innovative tools to schedule and document their work and communicate with other team members. This includes using access and control systems, like Closed Circuit Television (CCTV), mobile applications, radios, and GPS devices. The utility also supports staff with ongoing training and obtaining certification requirements at no cost to the employee.
We think becoming a watershed protection staff is an amazing way to serve the communities of Seattle by helping to ensure clean, safe, and reliable clean drinking water for everyone. If you agree, we encourage you to apply for one of our two open watershed protection positions. We also invite you to visit the Cedar River Watershed or go on a watershed ride-along to learn more about the open positions. Contact Watershed Protection Manager Darian Davis at darian.davis@seattle.gov or 206-386-4221 for more information.
SPU is committed to increasing racial equity, diversity, and inclusion through our work. We take steps to be inclusive and equitable in our recruiting, hiring and promotional opportunities.