Description

Salary: $3,795.00 - $4,328.00 Monthly

Review of applications is ongoing. The hiring authority reserves the right to make hiring decisions at any time. It is in the applicant’s best interest to submit material as soon as possible.

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
The fire season is quickly approaching! The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is in search of hardworking, dedicated, responsible and reliable team members to join our Wildland Fire Engine Crews as Engine Leaders here in the Southeast Region. As an Engine Leader, you will help lead our engine crews in performing pre-suppression and suppression related activities.

Firefighting is hard work and requires long hours and time away from home. You must be willing and capable of performing strenuous outdoor work safely and productively, while leading a team of 3-4 engine crew members. Working for the DNR as an Engine Leader is extremely rewarding. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other fire professionals including area fire districts, federal and other state partners; giving you exposure to a variety of learning opportunities, agency operations and the ability to build cohesive relationships across the state of Washington. You will experience a different level of collaboration within the DNR that will offer a lifetime worth of skills for your future career path. The experience and training gained can form the foundation for a successful career in forestry and other natural resource professions.

The duration of these positions is generally 3-6 months with work beginning as early as May and ending in late September (note: the season has the potential to begin as early as April and run as late as October). Upon hire, basic wildland fire training is provided. This training will usually take place at the agency's fire academy. The academy provides meals and lodging for all participants and has a duration of 7-14 days.

Duties

What to Expect as a DNR Engine Leader:

• The Engine Leader, generally performs a leadership role within a crew; and, candidates are required to have 3 months of previous natural resource work experience. Engine Leader duties may include:
  • Supervising and/or leading crews on the fire line, fire suppression and prevention, operating and maintaining small motorized equipment, operating light or heavy trucks (e.g. 1-ton 4x4, 400 gal., 3-4 person fire engine).
  • Marking and measuring timber, cutting brush on survey lines, leading small crews to maintain roads and recreation facilities, and operating and maintaining small hand and power tools.
• Prepare for fire duty, maintain assigned equipment and vehicles for fire readiness.
• Safely respond to wildland fire to suppress and prevent them from spreading.
• Perform entry-level wildland fire duties including hand-line construction, water handling, general suppression and prevention activities or training.
• When not engaged in wildland fire preparedness and suppression, Wildland Firefighters will perform tasks such as thinning and pruning trees for watersheds and protection of wildlife, and maintain recreation sites, buildings, grounds, roads and equipment.
• Many of the duties performed on these jobs require considerable physical exertion, working outdoors in all terrain and weather conditions, working long hours, and extended periods of time away from home. Duties include but may not be limited to the ability to carry up to 60 pounds, run, bend, twist, walk and/or climb.

Below is a chart describing what the work of a wildland firefighter may include:
Hours and Benefits:

• Overtime is paid at the rate of time and one-half in excess of 40 hours worked.
• For all hours worked under the Incident Command System, two dollars ($2.00) is added to an employee's regular hourly rate of pay.
• Returning agency employees may be eligible for health and dental coverage.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Ability to act promptly and use good judgment in emergencies, and deal tactfully with the public.
• Ability to carry up to 60 lbs., run, bend, twist, walk and/or climb. Must pass the DNR work capacity test or "Pack Test" during the selection process and prior to starting work.
• Must be age 18 and possess a high school diploma or equivalent at the time of hire.
• Ability to work on uneven terrain in ALL weather conditions, including extreme heat, rain, snow, etc.
• Position is required to travel. Requires large majority of time in the field traveling between fires.
• A valid driver’s license and have two years of driving experience. This position requires driving as an essential function. Must have an acceptable driving record free of serious traffic violations (for specifics see application form below).
• Previous firefighting experience. Must complete and pass IS-700 and ICS-100 courses (see information below).
• 3 months previous Natural Resource work experience.
• Current Red Card rating of Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2).
• Experience with firefighting safety techniques, practices, terminology, equipment, fire weather, communications, maps/compass/GPS skills and situational awareness.
• Experience of water delivery hydraulics, equipment usage, pumps and tools.
• Experience working in a team environment for long hours and in close quarters for weeks at a time.
• Experience working under stressful and challenging environmental conditions.
• Knowledge of wildland fire pre-suppression, suppression tactics and fire behavior recognition.
• Knowledge of safe chainsaw operation.
• Knowledgeable about safe off road vehicle operation.
• Efficient organizer and effective communicator, especially in stressful situations.
• Strong leadership skills.
• DNR Core Competencies:
  • Personal Accountability
  • Value Others
  • Compassionate Communication
  • Inspire Others
  • Commitment to Excellence
• Employees must furnish proof of eligibility to work in the United States upon hire.

Our ideal candidate will also have the qualifications listed below:

• Current Red Card Rating of Engine Boss.
• Current Red Card Rating of IC5.
• Experience with safe chainsaw operation, S-212 certified.

Supplemental Information

How to Apply:
To be considered you must apply online at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above). You must complete the entire online application and all supplemental questions to be considered for the position. Once you submit your online application, you can check your status by logging into your account. If you experience technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email CareersHelp@des.wa.gov.

If selected for an interview you will be required to:

• Provide a current Employment Driving Record from each state you have held a driver’s license in within the last two years.
  • Details on how to obtain this record from Washington State can be found on the Department of Licensing website at: www.dol.wa.gov.
• Provide Certificates of Course Completion for IS-700 and ICS-100 prior to or on the day of the scheduled Work Capacity Test.
  • Failure to do so will disqualify candidates for employment in these positions.
  • These courses are free.
  • If you have previously taken and received credit by DNR for these courses, you are NOT required to retake or resubmit the certificates of completion.
• Complete and Pass the Work Capacity Test “Pack Test” The Pack Test is a work capacity test that measures aerobic capacity, muscular strength, and muscular endurance.
  • Firefighter candidates must pass the Work Capacity Test by completing a 3 mile walk with a 45 pound pack in under 45 minutes.
  • PRIOR to reporting to the Pack Test, you will be required to turn in a completed Waiver and Release Form and a Completed Health Screening Questionnaire (HSQ). Applicants are strongly encouraged to train for the arduous level work capacity test. However, before you begin to train for testing or before substantially increasing your level of activity please review the health screening questionnaire (HSQ) and consult your health care provider if necessary. You may contact DNR Recruiting at DNRRecruiting@dnr.wa.gov for a copy of the HSQ.
  • During the DNR Work Capacity Testing, safety is of primary importance and concern. An element of safety is personal physical fitness and is important for co-worker safety, personal safety and health and for efficient fire line operations.

Work Locations:
CHELAN
The Chelan Fire Unit is located in East Wenatchee, WA. The response area covers state, private and federal lands within Chelan and Douglas County. The Chelan Fire Unit prides itself on being a High Reliability Organization with a strong emphasis on our interagency cooperation. Engine crew members will help staff a Type 5 Engine as a part of a 3-4-person Engine module and hand crew firefighters will help staff a 20-person crew. The majority of our fire responses involve working in cooperation with our partner agencies, the local Fire Districts, US Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management. On average the Chelan Fire Unit will respond to roughly 80 incidents per year. This Chelan Unit is made up of 7 wildland fire engines, a 20-person hand crew and an initial attack dozer.

Pilar Castro AFMO Pilar.Castro@Dnr.wa.gov (509) 856-5501
Nick Gale, AFMO Nicholas.Gale@Dnr.wa.gov (509)-899-7689
Bryan Lyle, Crew Superintendent Bryan.Lyle@dnr.wa.gov (509) 856-5500

ELLENSBURG
The Kittitas Unit works out of the Ellensburg and Cle Elum work centers. This unit falls within the boundary of Kittitas County, which has a total area of 2,333 square miles. The Kittitas Unit consists of 6 Type-5 fire engine modules; 1 permanent engine lead, 5 seasonal engine leads, and 18 seasonal firefighters. Our unit holds our interagency cooperation in high regards by embracing the all hands all lands vision, through this theme we are able to protect state and private timber lands, along with the citizens of Washington State. On average we respond to roughly 60 incidents a year. Crew housing is not available on site, but rental options are available. http://www.kittitascountychamber.com/

Dallas Barron, Dallas.barron@dnr.wa.gov (509) 856-5121
Court Martin, AFMO - Cle Elum, Court.martin@dnr.wa.gov , 509-899-7613
Spencer Slyfield, FMO, Spencer.Slyfield@dnr.wa.gov , 509-899-9000

YAKIMA
The Yakima Unit work center is located in Naches, WA. This unit consists of 5, type 5 wildland fire engines staffed with a total of 1 permanent and 4 seasonal engine leaders and 15 seasonal fighters to provide prevention, pre-suppression and suppression responsibilities for both state and private forested lands as well as closely working with our interagency partners throughout the area. The Yakima Unit also hosts an initial attack dozer, the Ahtanum Handcrew and a Helibase for DNR’s Fire Aviation program. When not assigned to fires, firefighters will be training and engaging in project work related to Forest Health, Community Resilience and Prescribed Fire. Crew housing is not available on site, but rental options are available. http://www.yakima.org/yakima/relocate.html

Steve Hoptowit AFMO, Steven.Hoptowit@dnr.wa.gov , 509-899-0768
Carson Zepp, FMO, Carson.Zepp@dnr.wa.gov , 509-899-2170

KLICKITAT - Goldendale is no longer accepting applications.
The Klickitat Unit services Klickitat County and parts of Skamania County along the Scenic Columbia River Gorge. The Klickitat Unit consists of 7 Type-5 wildland fire engines, the 20 person Klickitat Initial Attack Hand Crew, an Initial Attack Dozer, and a Helibase for DNR’s Fire Aviation Program, 35 seasonal firefighters and 5 engine leads. Covering just under 760,000 acres of private, state, and federal lands, the Klickitat unit partners with 20 rural and municipal fire departments along with 2 National Forests, The Yakama Nation, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Bureau of Land Management to combat wildfires in our area. The Klickitat Unit has responded to 57 incidents over a 5-year average. Currently the Klickitat unit staffs two locations; Goldendale, WA and Dallesport, WA. Crew housing is available at our Dallesport location. Currently, housing is unavailable in Goldendale, however rental options are available. http://goldendalechamber.org/main_page.html

Anthony Dobson, Klickitat FMO, Anthony.Dobson@dnr.wa.gov , (509) 310-3229
Chris Barthlow, East AFMO, Chris.Barthlow@dnr.wa.gov , (509) 856-5495
Jordan Wilson, Central AFMO, Jordan.wilson@dnr.wa.gov , (509) 856-5567
Charles Watkins, Klickitat Initial Attack Crew Superintendent, Charles.Watkins@dnr.wa.gov , (509) 859-6884

DAYTON and CLARKSTON (also known as Blue Mountain Unit)
The Blue Mountain Unit is situated in the far Southeast corner of the state and staffed in 2 locations: Dayton, WA and Clarkston, WA. Protection covers 270,000 acres of land over 4 counties. This unit consists of 4 wildland fire engines (2 engines at each location) staffed with a total of 16 seasonal firefighter personnel, and one Initial Attack Dozer. The unit works very closely with interagency partners in the Blue Mountain area including 7 Rural Fire Districts, 3 USFS Ranger Districts, 2 ODF units, and 2 BLM units. Crew housing is not available on site, but rental options are available. Housing may also be available in Lewiston, ID which is located just across the Snake River. For more information on the community of Dayton, please visit http://www.historicdayton.com/. For more information on the community of Clarkston, please visit https://www.clarkston.org/

Jacob LeBaron, Dayton AFMO, Jacob.LeBaron@dnr.wa.gov , 509-859-6703
Austin Summers, Clarkston AFMO, Austin.Summers@dnr.wa.gov , 509-899-9108
Jason Hoerner, FMO, Jason.Hoerner@dnr.wa.gov , 509-859-6779

For more specific information about DNR Uplands Regions and how to contact those regions, please visit http://www.dnr.wa.gov/about/dnr-regions-and-districts

About the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Our mission is to manage, sustain, and protect the health and productivity of Washington’s lands and waters to meet the needs economically and socially for current and future generations. At DNR we approach our work through the lens of making Washington a better place environmentally and are dedicated to serving Washington’s lands and communities through diversity, equity and inclusion. With nearly 1,500 employees in locations throughout Washington, we manage and protect more than 5 million acres of state-owned forest, range, commercial, agricultural and aquatic lands.
Additional Information:
Veterans wishing to claim Veteran’s preference please attach a copy of your DD-214, NGB-22 or other verification of military service. Please black out your social security number prior to attaching. We thank you and are grateful for your service!

The Department of Natural Resources 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, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Persons needing accommodation during the screening process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact DNR Recruiting staff at (360) 522-2500 or (360) 522-0143 or by email at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington State Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) at 1-800-833-6388 or www.washingtonrelay.com.

Once you submit your online application, you can check your status by logging into your account. If you experience technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email CareersHelp@des.wa.gov.