Wildland Fire Management Technician (In-Training)

Wildland Firefighter Lead, Wildland Fire Management Lead (WFML)/Wildland Fire Management Technician (WFMT) (In-Training)
Recruitment #2025-1-A061/A065
Full-time, Permanent, Represented position
Location: South Puget Sound Region - Issaquah, WA

Work Hours and Partial Telework flexibility may be available and considered
Salary: $3,317.00 - $4,632.00 Monthly

Positions with permanent duty stations in King County receive an additional 5% added to their monthly base salary. The salary listed on this announcement reflects the additional 5%.

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is home to Washington’s largest on-call fire department that is responsible for protecting over 13 million acres of both state and privately owned lands. Working with interagency partners, DNR embraces an all hands all lands vision. DNR’s fire program serves the communities of Washington and is a strong advocate of wildland fire prevention, suppression, and mitigation. The Pinnacle Unit with the South Puget Sound (SPS) region of the DNR is looking for the right person to join the emerging team of the newly created regional fire unit module (Handcrew). The Pinnacle Unit covers Pierce and King Counties of the SPS region, with abundant recreational opportunities in the region, while maintaining proximity to the amenities of the Seattle metro area. The Pinnacle Unit is adjacent to Federally administered lands of Mt. Ranier National Park and the Mt. Baker Snoqualmie National Forest as well as multiple municipal fire protection districts. Opportunities for interagency cooperation abound.

Responsibilities:

• Suppression - Lead and participate during wildland fire suppression (Initial Attack or Extended Attack)
• Prescribed Fire Support – Leads and participates with crew to conduct site fuels and fire effects data collection, unit preparation, assist with burn plan writing, community outreach, and Rx burn implementation support to include firing, holding, firing boss, etc.
• Community Resilience - Lead and participate with crew to conduct home ignition zone assessments as part of Wildfire Ready Neighbors or independent requests from landowners and/or communities. In addition to Home Ignition Zone assessments crew members may participate in community education days, plan and participate in community outreach and prevention events, and participate with local cooperators on community outreach projects.
• Forest Health and Fuels Treatment – Leads and participates in conducting non-commercial thinning and slash abatement, project layout, and compliance in coordination with State Lands and Landowner Assistance staff. Supports forest health project layout, tree marking, road brushing, and GPS data collection surveys. Assists with timber sales, layout, marking, forest cruising, and road maintenance.

Qualifications

This may be filled as an in-training position. This is designated as a 24-month training plan. If you complete all elements of the training steps in a shorter amount of time, we may waive the remainder of the time required. Candidates will be considered as Wildland Fire Management Technician (In-Training) or Wildland Fire Management Lead (WFML), depending on qualifications.

Required Qualifications:
Wildland Fire Management Technician (In-Training)
(Salary range: $3,482 - $4,630 per month):

• High school diploma or GED equivalent
• Trained to an NWCG “Red Card” qualification level of Firefighter 2
• Knowledge of wildland fire suppression tactics and fire behavior recognition
• Skills in employee Empowerment
• Ability to lead teams
• Skills in building/maintaining cooperative relationships
• Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.
• Perform assigned duties in a manner consistent with applicable laws, regulations and public records retention and requests are followed.
• DNR Core Competencies:
• Personal Accountability
• Value Others
• Compassionate Communication
• Inspire Others
• Commitment to Excellence

Wildland Fire Management Lead (WFML)
(Salary range: $3,650 - $4,863 per month):

• Certified as a NWCG Firefighter Type 1
• High school diploma or GED equivalent

Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment:

• The position's assigned duty station is the Issaquah Work Center. Work is performed in the office setting (30%) of the time, and unimproved natural areas of the state (70%). Incumbent must be able to traverse uneven terrain in all weather conditions. The outside environment varies from hot, dry, heat-related illness-type conditions in summer, to cold, wet, hypothermic-type conditions closer to wintertime. These duties may involve field work requiring physical performance calling for above-average endurance and superior conditioning.
• The position requires a large amount of travel (50%). This includes travel alone between fires, work centers, proposed work sites, and ongoing supervisory tasks as well as meeting with partners and cooperators. This includes driving in snowy icy conditions with poor to little visibility, to driving in conditions while surrounded by smoke and fire. This position requires both night and overnight travel.
• A valid unrestricted driver’s license and have two years of driving experience. This position requires driving as an essential function. Finalists and/or interview candidates will be asked to provide a driving record from all states in which they have held a license during the past three years.
• Must pass work capacity test annually at the arduous level as required by NWCG.

Don’t let doubts stop you from applying for this position -

If you have any questions about the required qualifications or how your past experience relates to them, please contact us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov. A note to potential candidates: Studies have shown that women, trans, non-binary, Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) are less likely to apply for jobs unless they feel they meet every qualification as described in a job description. We value diversity and inclusion in our organization, and we are looking for the best person for the job. Don’t hesitate to apply!

Supplemental Information

Application Requirements:

• Apply online: at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above).
• Letter of interest: describing your specific qualifications to the position and position required, desired, and special requirements.
• Resume: that details your experience and qualifications.
• References: at least three professional references with current telephone numbers– you may attach a document, use the References text field in the online application, or include it with your resume.
• Important: Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.).
• Complete all supplemental questions.
• Candidates who move forward in the recruitment process may be contacted via email at info@governmentjobs.com with interview information/scheduling instructions. Please monitor the email listed in your application materials and check your junk email folder to ensure you receive those communications.

Questions? Please contact Cole Phelan at Cole.Phelan@dnr.wa.gov / (253) 349-1153 or e-mail us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.

Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 522-2500 or email DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $3,317.00 - $58,356.00 per month

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $3,317 - $4,632