The 2021 fire season is quickly approaching! The Pacific Cascade Region of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is in search of hardworking, dedicated, responsible and reliable team members to join our Wildland Firefighting team.

Firefighting is hard work and requires long hours and time away from home, 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 can form the foundation for a successful career in forestry and other natural resource professions.

We are currently recruiting for Wildland Firefighter Crew Members (see below) to perform pre-suppression and suppression related activities as a lead member of Wildland Fire Engine Crew. Individuals must be willing and capable of performing strenuous outdoor work safely and productively. Top candidates for these positions are competent in understanding and following the chain of command, and are demonstratively the most responsible citizens in the communities they serve.

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.

Required Qualifications:

• Must be age 18 and possess a high school diploma or equivalent at the time of hire.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and two years of driving experience.
• Must have an acceptable driving record free of serious traffic violations (for specifics see application form below).
• Ability to act promptly and use good judgment in emergencies, and deal tactfully with the public.
• Must pass the DNR work capacity test or “Pack Test” during the selection process and prior to starting work.
• Must complete and pass IS-700 and ICS-100 courses (see information below)

Desired Qualifications:

• Previous natural resource experience.
• Experience and knowledge of safe chainsaw operation.
• Previous firefighting experience.
  • Knowledge of wildland fire pre-suppression, suppression tactics and fire behavior recognition.
  • 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.
• Trained to a NWCG “Red Card” qualification level of Firefighter 1.
• Efficient organizer and effective communicator, especially in stressful situations.
• Knowledgeable about safe operation of 4-wheelers, off road vehicle operation.
• 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.

What to Expect as a DNR Firefighter:

• Prepare themselves 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.

Required Safety Clothing and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
DNR provides fire crewmembers with required safety clothing and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). This clothing is expected to be worn during regular work hours and must be worn while firefighting. Crew members are required to wear lace-up boots with Vibram soles and constructed entirely of heavy leather that extends a minimum of 8 inches above the heel cup (inside of boot). DNR will reimburse (as approved) up to $350 (with original receipt) for the cost of pre-approved boots. Other clothing, such as rain-gear, coats, hats etc., must be provided by the individual.

If selected for an interview you will be required to:

• Provide a current, three (3) year Employment/Commercial driving record from every state you possessed a driver’s license in.
  • For applicants meeting position qualifications and who may be considered for an interview, you will be required to provide a current Employment/Commercial driving record issued from every state you possessed a driver’s license in during the last three 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
  • You may attach a current, three year driving abstract to this application. The driving abstract must be 3 years from the date of your submitted application.
• Provide Certificates of Course Completion for IS-700 and IS-100
  • Successful candidates must provide copies of their certificates of completion for these two courses 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 arduous fitness level Work Capacity Test by completing a 3 mile walk with a 45 pound pack in under 45 minutes.
  • 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.
  • Firefighters, strike team leaders, line scouts, and others assigned arduous duty must be prepared to work in steep terrain; and in extreme temperatures, altitude, and smoke-while maintaining reserve work capacity to meet unforeseen emergencies.
  • Before starting the course, you will be required to turn in a completed Waiver and Release Form and a Completed Health Screening Questionnaire (HSQ)
  • Prior to reporting to the Pack Test, 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.

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.
• Employees must furnish proof of eligibility to work in the United States upon hire.

Work Locations
Pacific Cascade Region is composed of 3 Fire Management Units below is a description of each fire unit, prospective duty locations within each unit. Additionally, at the bottom of this announcement is contact information for the fire staff of each unit.

North Fire Unit:
North Unit is spatially the largest unit, encompasses Lewis, Pacific and a portion of Grays Harbor counties. As such the unit ranges from scrub forests and sand dunes of the coast, to the foothills of the cascade mountain range. The unit is primarily composed of private and public timberlands, generally supported by rural communities but also home to several larger municipalities such as Centralia, Chehalis and Raymond Washington. The unit houses 7 engine crews out of 4 duty stations: Naselle, Menlo, Chehalis and Morton Washington. No agency housing is available although private accommodations can be found.

Clay Stigall Fire Unit Manager, Clay.stigall@dnr.wa.gov
Josh Mohler Assistant Fire Unit Manager, Josh.mohler@dnr.wa.gov

Central Fire Unit:
Central Unit is home to the Region Headquarters (Castle Rock) and connects North and South Unit. As such Central Unit is commonly called upon to provide assistance to North and South Units in addition to its own fire suppression load. Central Unit is located in Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties, the unit houses 6 engine crews with duty stations in Woodland, Kalama, Castle Rock and Kelso/Longview Washington. No agency housing is available, however private accommodations are available.

Marcus Hynning Fire Unit Manager, Marcus.hynning@dnr.wa.gov
Trent Crossland Assistant Fire Unit Manager, Trenton.crossland@dnr.wa.gov

South Fire Unit: 
South Unit has the smallest occurrence of protected lands, due in large part to the amount of federally protected lands. However, south has the greatest population levels as it is commuting distance to the Portland Metro Area and therefore has the largest amount of Wildland Urban Interface and public interaction. South Unit is located in Clark and Skamania Counties, houses 6 engine crews out of Battle Ground and North Bonneville Washington. No agency housing is available, however private accommodations are readily available.

Ty Estes Fire Unit Manager, Tyler.estes@dnr.wa.gov
Cody Rosander Assistant Fire Unit Manager, cody.rosander@dnr.wa.gov

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