2024 NE SUMMER WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER

Salary: $3,433.00 – $3,840.00 Monthly
Location:  Multiple Locations Statewide, WA
Job Type: Exempt
Job Number: 2024-WFF-NE Region
Department: Dept. of Natural Resources
Opening Date: 11/15/2023
Closing Date: 4/1/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
Description:
2024 NE SUMMER WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER description image
2024 NE SUMMER WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER description image
 
NORTHEAST REGION
2024 SUMMER WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER
Recruitment #2024-WFF-NE
Full-time, Exempt, Non-represented positions. 
Salary: $3,433.00 – $3,840.00 Monthly 

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time. 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! The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is in search of hardworking, dedicated, responsible, and reliable team members to join our Wildland Fire Engine Crews in the Northeast Region as a Wildland Firefighter.  As a firefighter on one of our engine crews, you will perform 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 Wildland Firefighter 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 as a member of an engine crew 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 Firefighter:

  • Prepare for fire duty, and maintain assigned equipment and vehicles for fire readiness.
  • Safely respond to wildland fires 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, protection wildlife, and maintaining 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.

 

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

  • Must be age 18 and possess a high school diploma or equivalent at the time of hire
  • Must provide Certificates of Course Completion for IS-700 and ICS-100 prior to or on the day of the scheduled Work Capacity Test. 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.
  • Must pass the DNR work capacity test or “Pack Test” during the selection process and prior to starting work. The “Pack Test” is a work capacity test that measures aerobic capacity, muscular strength, and muscular endurance (45lbs vest, 3 miles within 45 minutes). 
  • Firefighters require the competencies related to being able to effectively communicate with supervisors, and work with and lead subordinates in wildland fire organizations.
  • Ability to act promptly and use good judgment in day-to-day and emergency situations, and deal tactfully with the public and interagency partners.
  • 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.
Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment: 
  • Duties involve field work in hazardous environments on fires, requiring physical performance calling for above-average endurance and superior conditioning. Ability to carry up to 60 lbs., run, bend, twist, walk, and/or climb while working outdoors in all terrain and weather conditions.
  • A typical work day is an 8-hour day, five days a week. Positions require response during off-duty hours for emergency fire suppression needs. Positions required to work long, irregular hours on workdays, weekends, day or night when performing suppression duties.
  • Requires a large majority of time in the field traveling between fire assignments and fire training. The position requires frequent overnight travel and extended work assignments generally 14 days in length with infrequent travel of 21 days.
  • Field duties require the use of hand tools, power tools, GPS, topographic maps, a compass, and an iPad. Must be able to carry appropriate wildland fire tools on field assignments, as needed, to conduct assigned tasks. Day-to-day responsibilities require the ability to safely operate pickup trucks and Type 5 Wildland Fire Engines.
  • Successful certification at the minimum level of Firefighter Type 2 is required after the annual work capacity test and firefighter courses are completed for the fire year.
Desired Qualifications:
  • A valid unrestricted driver’s license and have two years of driving experience.
  • NWCG Qualification of Firefighter Type 1.
  • U.S. Passport.

 

Supplemental Information:

Application Requirements:

  • To be considered you must apply online at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above).
  • 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.
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. 

Work Locations:
The Northeast Region is comprised of two Zones and has four individual units.
 
The East Zone of the Northeast Region is comprised of the North Columbia and Arcadia units and serves areas such as Colville, Kettle Falls, Chewelah, and the greater Spokane area. The East Zone is the most active zone in the state for fire response, averaging 340 – 375 fire starts per year. It is a dynamic area that contains a wide variety of terrain and fuel types, from fast-moving urban interface fires to remote timber fires. The Colville area offers a lot of services and amenities with a small-town feel, while the Spokane area allows you to enjoy a fast-paced city environment while providing a wide array of easily accessible outdoor recreation activities.

Arcadia – located in Deer Park, WA, serves areas such as Spokane, Pend Oreille, and Lincoln counties. They staff 12 wildland engine crews that include 10 exempt Engine Leaders and 38 Firefighters.
For questions about Arcadia, please contact:  North Columbia – located in Colville, WA, serves areas such as Colville, Chewelah, Hunters, and Kettle Falls. North Columbia staffs 7 wildland fire engine crews that include 6 exempt Engine Leaders and 21 Firefighters.
For questions about North Columbia, please contact:  The West Zone is comprised of the South Okanogan and Highlands units and serves Okanogan and Ferry Counties. The West Zone on average has 50 to 80 fires per year. Okanogan County is located close to the Canadian border and provides great outdoor recreational activities and areas available for crew members including the Loomis State Forest and the Pasayten Wilderness area.  

Highlands – located in Loomis, WA, serves areas in North Okanogan and Ferry Counties, such as Loomis, Tonasket, Oroville, Curlew, and Republic. The Highlands unit runs 12 engines comprised of 11 exempt Engine Leaders and 33 Firefighters.
For questions about Highlands, please contact:  South Okanogan – located in Omak, WA, serves areas such as Omak, Okanogan, Conconully, Brewster, Pateros, Twisp, Winthrop, and Mazama. The South Okanogan unit runs 10 engines which include 8 exempt Engine Leaders and 30 Firefighters.
For questions about South Okanogan, please contact:  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. 2024 NE SUMMER WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER description imageAdditional Information:
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.

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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.

 

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