For more information, please follow this link:  https://www.conservationjobboard.com/job-listing-natural-resource-specialist-4—prescribed-fire-unit—2-openings—permanent—01297-22-olympia-washington/3569091244?utm_source=ongage&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=regular

Salary– $56,856.00 – $74,604.00 Annually

With your experience, you will provide technical expertise and consultation services to department land managers regarding the use of prescribed fire to protect and manage forests and other habitats and enhance ecosystem health on WDFW lands.

The optimal applicants possess working knowledge of tools and techniques used to prepare for and implement Rx burns, Washington State burn laws, and smoke management rules and smoke management plans at the State and Federal levels.

You thrive on building collaboration and teamwork, and will lead your team in cooperation and commitment to achieve goals and deliverables.

We are seeking a candidate who respects and values the opinions of others, creating an inclusive team environment where every member feels they contribute value to the project and WDFW.

Duties

Our Natural Resource Specialist 4,

Leads prescribed burn planning with focused responsibility in Eastern Washington, providing expert technical assistance to land management staff and others. 

  • Provides technical expertise and consultation services to department land managers regarding the use of prescribed fire to protect and manage forests and other habitats and enhance ecosystem health on WDFW lands. Assists the forestry program with land management practices involving prescribed fire and management options to protect lands from wildfires.
  • Under general direction from the Rx Fire Program Manager, and in collaboration with agency foresters, wildlife biologists, and Wildlife Area (WLA) Managers, independently plans and leads prescribed fire management projects on WDFW lands to restore and maintain forests and other habitats.
  • Independently develops burn plan objectives, standards, and timelines over multiple WDFW regions and geographical areas. Applies National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) burn plan format and standards in writing burn plans for the purpose of applying prescribed fire as a tool to manage wildlife habitat on Wildlife Area dry forest and shrub-steppe habitats. Obtains burn permits for planned and funded units. Participates in smoke management planning and implementation.
  • Assists in developing policies and procedures for use of Rx fire on WDFW lands. Assists in development and implementation of WDFW’s Rx burn program for fire-dependent dry forest ecosystems in Eastern Washington Zone.
  • Develops fuels inventory and assessment using knowledge of various fuel types, fuel inventory methodology and protocol.
  • Works to set up and coordinate agreements for implementation with other agencies and private contractors. Coordinates and performs pre-burn operations such as fire line location and construction, water delivery needs and set up.
  • Assists with Rx burn efforts in other regions of the state as needed

Leads prescribed burn implementation with focused responsibility in south central and south east Washington. 

  • Implements and supervises burns meeting or exceeding National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) standards as a NWCG qualified lead certified RXB2 (Prescribed Burn Boss 2).  Completes burn unit assessment and layout in assigned areas in consideration of weather, fuel loads consumption, and smoke observations. Obtains smoke management approval and reporting. Maintains daily accomplishment reporting, resource tracking and developing resource needs, cost tracking, and submitting other post burn reports.
  • Performs post burn operations including mop-up and patrol, removal of equipment, documentation of functions performed during the post burn timeframe. Ensures completion and electronic recording of post burn monitoring including photo points, vegetation consumption, and other fire effects.
  • Assists with Rx burn efforts in other regions of the state as needed.