Fuels Crew Member, Wildland Fire Management Technician (WFMT) The Northeast Region of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is actively seeking 14 Fuels Crew Members (Wildland Fire Management Technicians) for the Arcadia District. This position will be a crew member on the newly created River City Fuels Crew during the non-fire season months of the year and a Wildland Firefighter on a Type 5 Brush Engine during the fire season months of the year. The Arcadia District is based out of Deer Park, WA and consists of diverse fuel types that range from agriculture/shrub, steppe/dry ponderosa pine to hemlock/subalpine fir forests. The Arcadia District is responsible for forest health, wildfire suppression, prevention education, and regulation on all or parts of four counties (Spokane, Pend Oreille, Stevens and Lincoln), including one hundred thousand acres of state trust land. The Arcadia District conducts suppression actions on approximately 300 fire starts annually, processes approximately 400 burn permit requests, and provides training courses to our local cooperators. A large part of the Arcadia District is located in the Wildland Urban Interface of the greater Spokane area, where the primary focus on hazardous fuels reduction takes place and where the heaviest loading of initial attack wildfire incidents. Interagency cooperation occurs on the majority of fuels project sites, wildland fires, and most training courses. Interagency cooperation includes working with local fire districts, state and federal partners, and is a key function of the position.
Responsibilities:
The Fuels Crew members will be expected to excel at two separate jobs over the course of the project duration. One of these jobs will be working under the direction of a Forest Health Engine Captain as a Fuels Crew Member on a 22 person fuels reduction crew, completing hazardous fuels reduction on priority project sites around the Arcadia District. The fuels reduction crew will be implementing wildland hazardous fuels mitigation projects. These critical services protect public resources, natural resources, and public safety. The fuels reduction projects will help the agency implement Goal 1 of the 20-Year Forest Health Strategic Plan, Eastern Washington, by directly providing scientifically sound, landscape-scale cross-boundary management and restoration treatments in priority watersheds to increase forest and watershed resilience. The treatment projects include non-commercial tree thinning using chain saws, tree pruning and slash abatement. Slash abatement will be performed using prescribed fire, chipping or windrowing for mechanical mastication. During the fire season, the Fuels Crew member will be operating as a Wildland Firefighter on a Type 5 brush Engine in the Arcadia District, responsible for conducting wildfire initial attack in a safe and efficient manner. This will include operating in NWCG Wildland Fire positions such as Incident Commander Type 5, Firefighter 1, and more depending on the scale of the incident. When not on wildfire incidents, these individuals will be training, studying, checking previous incidents, or any other duties as assigned. The Engine will be expected to be competent and professional while on and off the fire line. The Arcadia District is a fast-paced and complex work environment that places an emphasis on building a culture that requires an individual who will work within the team goals and dynamics to be successful. The individuals selected for these positions would be employed year-round, completing fuels reduction work in the winters and engaged in fire suppression in the summers.
Qualifications:
You must meet all the Required Qualifications and Competencies to be considered for this position. There are multiple pathways to meet qualifications, such as education, volunteer work, life skills, and experience. Please clearly communicate in your application materials that your skills align with the position and qualifications. A high school diploma or GED equivalent or have the ability to obtain a GED within 12 months of hire. Trained to a NWCG "Red Card" qualification level of Firefighter 2.
Required Competencies:
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 ensure requests are followed.
DNR Core Competencies:- Personal Accountability
- Value Others
- Compassionate Communication
- Inspire Others
- Commitment to Excellence
- Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment:
This is a field position (90%). The fire suppression and prescribed fire work is strenuous outdoor work in all weather conditions. Must be able to traverse uneven and mountainous terrain e.g. very steep terrain; rocky, loose, or muddy ground surfaces; thick vegetation; down/standing trees; wet leaves/grass; varied climates (cold, hot, wet, dry, humid, snow, rain; high altitudes; heights; holes and drop-offs; very rough roads; open bodies of water; isolated/remote sites. Might need to work in close quarters, with limited/disrupted sleep.
Daily travel from a rendezvous location to the work site is required. Additional travel may be required for fire suppression response.
Must annually pass the work capacity test at the arduous level as required by NWCG for qualified positions.
Desired Qualifications:
Experience in disposal of slash through a chipper or pile burning, operating and maintaining chainsaws/small engines.
Able to tow vehicle trailers in both urban and forest settings.
Qualified as an Incident Commander Type 5 and Fire Fighter Type 1.At DNR, we value diversity and inclusion and are committed to hiring the best candidate for the job. Don't let doubts stop you from applying for this position. If you have any questions about the qualifications, please email us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.Application Requirements
Failure to provide the listed documents may result in disqualification. If you have questions or difficulty attaching these documents, please contact DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.Online Application: Apply at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above). You must complete the entire online application to be considered for the position.
Cover Letter: Your cover letter should be tailored to this job posting. Be sure to highlight your qualifications for this role, directly address the requirements of the position, and explain why you're the best candidate for the job.
Resume: Your resume should consist of your work history, education, volunteer work, life skills, experience, and any other relevant information associated with the position.
References: References are optional at the time your application is submitted. Finalists will be asked to provide a list of at least three (3) professional references, to include a current or most recent supervisor, along with telephone numbers.
Complete All Supplemental Questions: Answers to these questions will be used to evaluate candidates. Please provide comprehensive answers to all questions requiring a text response.
Important:
Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (Social Security Number, year of birth, etc.).Email Communication: 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 these communications. Questions? Please contact Daniel Stralser at daniel.stralser@dnr.wa.gov (509) 675-2586, Daryl Schie at daryl.schie@dnr.wa.gov (509) 680-8093 or email 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.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.
Our Vision:
Our actions ensure a future where Washington's lands, waters, and communities thrive.
Our Mission: Manage, sustain, and
