The Thurston County Public Works Department, located in Olympia, Washington is a national award-winning agency in delivering quality projects to our community. Our mission is to provide quality public services in all areas of our business. We actively help our staff develop and grow professionally, we bring together resources across divisions to achieve organizational goals, we are always ready to respond to community needs, and we are an American Public Works Association accredited agency, consistently meeting industry best practices benchmarks.

Our Core Values:

• Accountability – We take responsibility for our actions and the resulting outcomes.
• Customer Service – We provide our customers with the highest level of service and quality.
• Innovation – We strive to continuously improve processes, performance, and results.
• Safety – We demonstrate an uncompromising commitment to safety.
• Teamwork – We work together toward achieving a common recognized end.

Thurston County Public Works values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. To us, inclusion means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths. We are dedicated to recruiting and developing a talented workforce from various cultures, lifestyles, backgrounds, and perspectives who are committed to our vision and core values. Thurston County Racial Equity and Inclusion Webpage

We are recruiting for a Seasonal Noxious Weed Inspector to join our dynamic, energetic, and innovative team. The successful candidate will conduct field surveys for noxious weeds, research ownership of infested properties and records inspections and contact landowners, while under the direction of the Noxious Weed Specialist II. Inspectors will post properties and apply approved herbicides under the supervision of a WSDA-licensed applicator as assigned. Special projects require 3-4 consecutive days of applying herbicides with a 4-gallon backpack sprayer and providing one-on-one noxious weed education and information to the public. Follows up on complaints of noxious weed infestations and refers any non-compliance to the Noxious Weed Specialist II.

Working Conditions:
Work involves exposure to traffic hazards due to driving, as well as the physical ability to walk road right-of-way, fields, and shorelines, etc. Requires the ability to bend and pull noxious weeds. Field work is performed outside in a full range of weather conditions.
Overtime is not a guarantee but may be required.



Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Survey county and identify noxious weed infestations
• Notify landowners and provide technical education, consultation, weed identification, and vegetation management recommendations
• Identify landowners using government records, mapping systems and/or contact with neighbors
• Treat weed infestations using manual and chemical methods
• Collect, enter, and interpret data associated with weed infestations and herbicide applications

Why you’ll love it here:
Thurston County is located between Seattle and Portland in Western Washington’s South Puget Sound Region. Perched in between the mountains and the ocean, the area boasts the perfect blend of year-round outdoor activities including boating, hiking, skiing, and more. The region is also home to the state capitol city of Olympia, known for its many restaurants, microbreweries, coffee shops, farmer’s markets, kids’ activities, history, and art events. Discover more about life in Thurston County at Experienceolympia.com .

• Ability to work independently, tactfully and courteously with the public and be reliable for attendance and completing assigned tasks accurately and efficiently.
• Must have a current Washington State Driver's License.
• Ability to utilize a personal computer with applicable software associated with the position.

• Experience in vegetation management or weed control.
• Knowledge of Washington State Noxious Weed Control Law.
• Good plant and weed identification skills.
• WSDA Pesticide Applicators License