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Are you passionate and dedicated to promoting the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) conservation mission? 

Do you have a strong work ethic and applied experience in prescribed fire or wildland fire suppression assignments?

Do you want to get your boots dirty and work in the great outdoors?  

If so, then join a great team that shares your interests!  

With that in mind,  

Picture yourself supporting the WDFW mission by coordinating and performing professional and skilled fire regime restoration efforts on a professional prescribed fire crew.

This is an opportunity to support fire dependent dry forests, rangelands, and wildlife habitats through safe fuels reduction, reconfiguration and implementation of prescribed burns on WDFW owned/managed lands.

With your experience, you will perform specialized assignments in the application of prescribed fire to achieve resource management objectives.

Our ideal candidates will have the ability to take initiative, work independently, have excellent inter-personal communication and relationship skills.

We are seeking team players with demonstrated talent representing WDFW values of professionalism, accountability, empathy, integrity and respect.

Our Prescribed Fire Crew  

• Functions within a team environment to accomplish overall ecological fire management activities.
• Prepares tools and equipment for burn units.
• Establishes fuel breaks/line construction, basic planning, fuel inventory and area layout.
• Performs the implementation of firing techniques using firing devices, patrolling and mop up assignments.
• Maintains ecological function of natural systems for the benefit of fisheries and wildlife habitat.
• Provides for employee and public safety while implementing assigned work projects.
• Safely and efficiently operates various types of equipment such as excavators, 4-wheel drive vehicles, all-terrain vehicles (ATV & UTV), chainsaws and hand tools.
• Provides equipment maintenance and repair into fire ready condition, including hand tools, chainsaws, water delivery pumps and vehicles.
• Organizes and tracks the inventory of fire line equipment.

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

• Work Setting, including hazards:    
  1. Fieldwork includes carrying tools and equipment on uneven terrains and in all types of weather conditions.
  2. Fieldwork is performed in isolated field settings and in smoky conditions.
• Schedule: 
  1. Regular schedule is full time, 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week.
  2. Work will exceed 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week during prescribed burning season.
  3. Work hours will remain flexible to enhance functionality and productivity to ensure program goals are achieved.
  4. Weekend and Holiday work will be required.
• Travel Requirements:   
  1. Frequent travel to conduct implementation of fuels projects, especially during prescribed burning.
• Tools and Equipment:   
  1. Engines, excavators, hand tools, chainsaws, and water handling equipment will be used in a safe, efficient and professional manner. 
  2. Fire pack that may weigh in excess of 50 pounds.
• Customer Interactions: 
  1. Interaction with other agencies and the public occurs regularly to explain prescribed fire work. 
• Other: 
  1. Must be willing to walk, bend and stoop, while at times carrying, loading and unloading equipment/gear that weighs up to 50 lbs.
  2. Willingness to perform in a safe and efficient manner, follow verbal and written directions and accept supervision.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

AND 

OR

AND 

• Must be National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) qualified as a Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2).
• Must be capable of passing the Work Capacity Test at the Arduous Level (walking with a 45-pound pack, 3 miles in 45 minutes or less).
• Must be 18 years old at time of employment.

Competencies: 

• Team building skills – promote cooperation, commitment, and respect within a team to achieve goals and deliverables.
• People skills – communicate well with others and maintains open communication through the organization.
• Communication skills – understands verbal/written instructions, ability to listen and learn information that has been shared by supervisors and from others.
• Safety – adhere to all safety and workplace standards.

Certifications/Licenses: 

• Valid Driver’s License
• Currently certified at FFT2 under the National Wildfire Coordinating Group specifications and standards having received the following trainings:
  1. Introduction to ICS (I-100)
  2. Human Factors on the Fireline (L-180)
  3. Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (S-190)
  4. Firefighter Training (S-130)
  5. Look Up, Look Down, Look Around (S-133)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Advanced Firefighter (S-131)
• Training in Portable Pumps and Water Use (S-211)
• Training in Basic Chainsaw (S-212)
• Training in Firing Operations (S-219)
• Use of fire management and fuel inventory tools.
• Equipment operation: (ATV, UTV), 4-wheel drive vehicles, heavy equipment, wildland fire engine, water delivery pumps.
• Use of water handling equipment.
• Career oriented toward fire ecology/science and learning to use fire to achieve resource management objectives.
• First-aid/CPR certification or similar certification such as first responder.

Resume must indicate experience in these requirements and years of experience.

Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification. 

In order to successfully apply for this position you MUST complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov and attach the following to your profile before completing the online application:

• Cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (Generic cover letter will not be accepted).

• Contact information for three professional references.
• Accurate answers to all supplemental questions.

IMPORTANT NOTE: 

The Department of Fish and Wildlife’s priority during the Covid-19 health crisis is to keep our staff, candidates, and the public safe.  We are hiring and encourage you to apply to open positions.  Many of our staff are currently working from home; we have transitioned to a virtual recruitment process, to include web-based interviews.

JOIN THE WDFW TEAM:

Learn about our agency and the perks of working for WDFW!

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has some of the most talented people in the natural resource field.  We celebrate and value diversity, appreciating that a workforce composed of those from different backgrounds and experiences creates an inclusive environment, strengthens positive relationships with the local community, and brings new perspectives and approaches to fulfilling the agency’s mission. We value demonstrated skill in living WDFW values of professionalism, accountability, empathy, integrity, service, and respect.

WDFW employees may be eligible for the following:

Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS),   Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver,   Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP),  Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth.

UNION – WAFWP:

This position is in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

VETERAN PREFERENCE NOTICE:

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Subject line should include recruitment number, position and Vet (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov

MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE NOTICE: 

To take advantage of military spouse preference, please do the following:

• Notify us of your military spouse status by email at RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov. 
• Subject line should include recruitment number, position and MS (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – MS)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov

Note: Please blackout any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. For further information, please contact us at RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.

As part of WDFW’s efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications.  Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully.  All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington. 

The Department of Fish and Wildlife 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.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status and are encouraged to apply. 

 Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 902-2276 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (800) 833-6388.

This recruitment is essential to maintain operations and fulfill WDFW’s legal obligations: Mitigate fire risk and legally required weed control and activities associated with maintaining assets   

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