What are the responsibilities and job description for the 2025 Helicopter Manager, Wildland Fire Management Supervisor (WFMS)/(WFML In-Training) position at State of Washington?
Recruitment #2025-HelitackWFMS/WFML-14-8552/8553
Full-time, Seasonal, and Non-Permanent, Represented positions
Anticipated Seasonal employment begins in March 2025
Anticipated Non-Permanent employment begins April 2025
Locations: Base of Operations – Wildland Fire Management Division (Olympia, Yakima)
Salary: $3,477.00 - $5,117.00 Monthly
Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 12/3/24. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.
Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
The fire season is quickly approaching! Are you someone who loves firefighting and has an interest in fire aviation? The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is searching for hardworking, dedicated, responsible, and reliable team members to join our DNR's Helitack crews based in Yakima and Olympia. As a member of one of the Helitack crews, you will perform wildland fire 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. Working for the DNR as a Helicopter Manager 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 high 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 fire, forestry, and other natural resource professions.
If you are an experienced wildland firefighter who would like to continue using your fire operations background while flying in and managing helicopters, this is the job for you.Responsibilities:
Helicopter Management
- This position is responsible for adhering to and maintaining responsibilities outlined in the WA DNR Aviation Operations Plan and Standards for pre-suppression and suppression activities. In addition, supports the Pilot in Command (PIC), daily supervision of personnel assigned, and maintaining agency vehicle(s) assigned.
- Responsible for safety and readiness of personnel and equipment during suppression as well as responsible for air crew member safety/operational training.
- Responsible for the completion of passenger manifest, SAFECOMs/AVCOMMs, digital applications, initial incident reports, supervisor's report of injury, fire situation narratives, agency fire reports, program crew and helicopter reports, interagency/contract availability, suppression cost reports, contracted aviation cost reports and credit card use logs.
- Ensures functionality of fire line equipment/gear and inspections/repairs to ensure properly working external load suppression equipment. With the concurrence of the PIC, establish GO / NO-GO criteria for incident operations.
- May serve in various ICS roles including Incident Commander, Helibase Manager, Strike Team/Task Force Leader, any Single Resource position, Firefighter, Aircraft Base Radio Operator, Deck Coordinator, or as a public relations contact. Works cooperatively with other fire protection authorities when working on joint jurisdiction fires. Responsible for the safety of personnel while suppressing wildland fire using standard fire line tactics.
- Serves as an agency representative to ensure compliance with state law, regulations, DNR policies, and business practices, and represents the Agency Administrator in interactions with the Incident Commander. Follows guidance within the WA DNR Aviation Operations Plan and Standards on all incidents and NWCG Standards for Helicopter Operations and helicopter contracts on federal incidents.
- May conduct interviews and participate in the selection process for seasonal Squad Boss (Wildland Fire Management Lead) and Exempt Firefighter positions. Provides recommendations for the program’s annual interview and hiring plan to be presented to the Helitack Assistant Base Managers.
- Responsible for ongoing training, scheduling work projects, reviewing time and activity reports, equipment mileage, and maintenance logs. Must evaluate and provide feedback to crewmembers using mid and end-of-season evaluations, and recommend disciplinary actions as needed.
- Assists with employee orientation, mandatory safety classes and procedures, position specifics, and human resource-related training are completed within agency policy and timelines.
- These positions are responsible for providing new Squad Bosses and Firefighters comprehensive onboarding (on-the-job orientation) including how their contributions fit into the agency’s values, culture, and mission. The position sets clear job performance standards and expectations and provides timely feedback to ensure prompt correction and mastering of duties assigned. Provide employees with the tools and resources to develop, plan, and pursue further career opportunities that will bring value to the employee and the agency.
- Responsible for ongoing training to support safe operational use, inspections, maintenance, troubleshooting, and field repairs of aviation life support and external load equipment.
- These positions are responsible for assuring all external load and aviation life support equipment meet standards within the WADNR Aviation Operating Plans and Standards.
Helitack Module Preparedness, Suppression Training, and NWCG Trainings
- Assist in planning, coordinating, and implementing aviation and wildland fire training. Ensure personnel are current with Interagency Aviation Training (IAT) per position dictated by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG), and National Incident Management System (NIMS) per federal interagency requirements, WADNR Aviation Operations Plans and Standards, and agency policies. Assist in coordinating and planning aviation and wildland fire training for the program, cooperators, and agency staff. Ensure staff are meeting required, short and long-term training plans.
- Provide competent and qualified oversight and mentorship for Helicopter Crew Members (HECM). Monitor and complete PTB’s and achieve fire suppression deliverables effectively and safely.
The Full-time, Seasonal positions may be considered as Wildland Fire Management Lead (WFML In-Training) or Wildland Fire Management Supervisor (WFMS), depending on qualifications. This in-training is designated as a 12-24 month training plan. If all elements of the training steps are completed in a shorter amount of time, we may waive the remainder of the time required.
Required Qualifications:
Wildland Fire Management Lead (WFML In-Training)
(Salary range: $3,477-$4,632 per month)
- Qualified as Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1), with the ability to obtain Helicopter Manager (HMGB) within 24 calendar months.
- Become qualified as a Helicopter Crewmember (HECM), within 12 months.
- Successfully supervised aerial wildland fire preparation and suppression efforts.
- Ability to understand and interpret interagency aviation plans and contracts.
- Skills in evaluating others’ abilities, and assessing training needs.
- Effective writing, communication, and public speaking skills.
(Salary range: $3,811-$5,117 per month)
- Qualified as any single resource boss (CRWB, ENGB, HEQB, FALB, FIRB), with the ability to obtain Helicopter Manager (HMBG) within 12 calendar months.
- Qualified as a Helicopter Crewmember (HECM).
- Experience in wildland fire suppression.
- Supervisory experience.
- Knowledge of interagency aviation plans and contracts.
- Skills in evaluating others’ abilities, and assessing training needs.
- Experience as a successful leader and contributing team player within a defined workgroup.
- Demonstrated 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.
- Effective writing, communication, and public speaking skills.
- DNR Core Competencies:
- Personal Accountability
- Value Others
- Compassionate Communication
- Inspire Others
- Commitment to Excellence
- Must pass the work capacity test at the arduous level required by current red card qualifications.
- Field and Office: The position’s assigned duty station is Olympia or Yakima (depending on the hiring unit). Required to work long, irregular hours on workdays, weekends, day and night. These duties may involve fieldwork requiring physical performance calling for above-average endurance and superior conditioning. These duties include routine demand for extraordinary strenuous activities in emergencies, under adverse environmental conditions, for extended periods.
- Requires travel (60%) to the field for project work, suppression preparedness, fires,
supervision, attend meetings or various trainings. Frequent overnight travel is required for trainings, meetings, and fire assignments. - 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.
- An associate or bachelor’s degree in fire science, natural resource management, or aviation resource management.
- Qualified as an Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5).
- Qualified as a Helicopter Manager (HMGB).
- Qualified as a Helibase Manager (HEBM).
- To be considered you must apply online at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above).
- Attach a letter of interest describing how your experience and qualifications relate to the position profile and the position required, desired, and special requirements.
- Attach a resume describing your experience and qualifications.
- Provide three to five professional references – 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.
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 DNRRecruiting at DNRRecruiting@dnr.wa.gov for a copy of the HSQ.
About the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
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.
Additional Information:
This recruitment may be extended and may also be used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty (60) days.
DNR does not use the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.
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 it. We thank you and are grateful for your service!
Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State 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 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.
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.
Check us out on: DNR’s website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | WordPress
Salary : $41,724 - $61,404
