Wildland Fire Management Supervisor, Wildland Fire and Forest Health Specialist

Salary: $44,400.00 – $59,616.00 Annually
Location: Multiple Locations – Western Washington, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2023-10-7835-13595
Department: Dept. of Natural Resources
Division: Northwest
Opening Date: 10/19/2023
Closing Date: 11/12/2023 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step
Description
Wildland Fire Management Supervisor, Wildland Fire and Forest Health Specialist description image
Wildland Fire Management Supervisor, Wildland Fire and Forest Health Specialist description image
 
Wildland Fire and Forest Health Specialist, Wildland Fire Management Supervisor
Recruitment #2023-10-7835
Full-time Permanent, Represented position.
Possible Locations: Northwest Region – Sedro Woolley, Granite Falls Work Center or Arlington Work Center.

Location and Partial Telework may be available and considered
Relocation Compensation may be available and considered
Salary: $3,700.00 – $4,968.00 monthly 

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 11/2/23. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.  

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
Are you interested in a career that allows you to serve local communities by leading a wildland engine and working in forest health helping landowners achieve their goals? The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Northwest Region is looking for a Wildland Fire Management Supervisor to work in our Salish Unit.  This position serves as the supervisor of a wildland engine during the fire season, and outside of the fire season works in our Resiliency Program.   In addition to suppression work, the individual supports DNRs Forest Resiliency and Community Resiliency Programs in the form of fuel reduction projects and other FireWise USA related work helping expand NW Regions Fire Adapted Communities landscape; and may have the opportunity to participate in prescribed fire.

The Northwest Region office located in Sedro-Woolley, WA, in the scenic Skagit Valley. World-class outdoor recreation opportunities abound in the area. The main entrance to North Cascades National Park is only 1 hr drive to the east. The San Juan Islands can be accessed from Anacortes, just a 45 minute drive to the west. Additional recreation opportunities can be found in the surrounding Mt. Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest and state forest trust lands. For more urban experiences, Seattle, WA. And Vancouver, B.C. are each only an hour and a half drive away.

 

Duties

Responsibilities:
Fire Suppression: Serve as a critical member of DNR’s Wildland Fire Suppression Team.
Work as a wildland firefighting engine boss supervising up to four wildland firefighters.

  • This position directs the use, safety, operation, and maintenance of a four-wheel drive wildland fire engine complete with 400-gallon water tank, various pumps, chainsaws, communication equipment, and hand tools.
  • Uses electronics such as GPS, smart phone, tablet, computer, kestrel and etc.
  • Develop and implement a daily routine for engine and crew. Routine shall include discussion and practical skills training in the following areas: Proper care, maintenance and use of personal protective equipment, safety, fire suppression, document completion, work projects, tool/equipment maintenance, driver training, radio use and leadership development.
  • Oversees and participates in the interviewing process for fire staff and makes recommendations on the hiring of new exempt firefighters. Responsible for training, scheduling work projects, reviewing time and activity reports, equipment mileage and maintenance logs, preparing performance evaluations and recommending disciplinary actions.
  • Responsible for assigning and directing firefighter positions in their work activities.
  • Participates in statewide fire suppression activities. Protects life, property, infrastructure and natural resources from wildland and urban interface fires to minimize resource loss and fire costs while ensuring firefighter and public safety. Often required to work long, irregular hours on workdays, weekends, day, or night. These duties involve field work that may include an occasional demand for extraordinary strenuous activities in emergencies under adverse environmental conditions and over extended periods of time.
  • Maintains all equipment in a state of fire-readiness. Adjusts schedule to meet agency 2-to-1 work-rest-ratio and compliance with 16-hour work-day policy and adheres to DNR work/rest driving policy.
  • On type four and five fires, may serve as incident commander, fire investigator, engine operator, firefighter, timekeeper, or public relations contact. Occasionally coordinates work with other fire protection agencies and written mutual aid contracts between firefighting personnel and equipment.
Forest Health: Conducts priority activities related to forest health treatments and objectives across all-lands, with specific priority given to private, community, federal, and other state (non DNR Trust) lands.
Prescribed Fire Implementation and Support:
  • Conduct site fuels and fire effects data collection, unit preparation, assist with burn plan writing, community outreach, and Rx burn implementation support to include firing, holding, burn boss.
  • Provide assistance to partners for prescribed fire planning and implementation.
  • Serve as Prescribed Fire lead for burn activities on and off DNR state trust lands.
  • Write and/or review Prescribed Fire Burn Plans
  • Conduct and contribute to prescribed fire field monitoring.
Fuels Mitigation:
  • Conduct non-commercial thinning and slash abatement, and commercial and non-commercial project layout in coordination with Landowner Assistance, Federal Lands, or State Lands staff.
  • Conduct piling and pile burning on all-lands, under the approval of the landowner and an approved Prescribed Fire Burn Plan.
  • Under the direction of the Forest Resilience program; conducts forest health and fuels assessments and HIZ inspections on small private forest landowners, including tribal, state and county lands as requested.
  • Assists with the field preparation of cost-share projects under the direction of the NRS3.
  • Attends outreach events as directed for both wildfire mitigation and forest health.
  • Ability to identify common western Washington tree and brush species.
  • Ability to work for extended periods of time in inclement weather on un-even terrain.
  • Responsible for collecting data with tablet, GPS, and other standard forestry tools.
  • Able use GIS software such as ArcPro, field maps to create maps for field projects.

 

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

  • A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution in a Fire Science, Natural Resource, Forestry, or related field
    OR An equivalent combination of education and experience
  • Fully qualified to the NWCG “Red Card” qualification or the ability to attain one or more of the following NWCG qualifications within a year of hire:
    • Engine Boss (ENGB)
    • Fire Effects Monitoring (FEMO);
    • Firing Boss (FIRB)
    • Prescribed Fire Burn Boss 3 (RXB3); and/or
    • Prescribed Fire Burn Boss 2 (RXB2)
  • Experience supervising or leading wildland firefighting personnel.
  • Knowledge and/or experience of:
    • GIS
    • Fire Effects and Fuel Load Monitoring
    • Prescribed Fire Operations
    • Fire Prevention Programs
    • Fire Suppression
    • Fuels mitigation and silvicultural practices
  • Good writing and verbal communication skills.
  • Proven ability in computer applications, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Global Positioning Systems.
  • Ability to work with the public, sometimes under stressful conditions.
  • Ability to act promptly and use good judgment in emergencies.
  • Ability to operate a manual transmission in a fire truck.
  • DNR Core Competencies:
    • Personal Accountability
    • Value Others
    • Compassionate Communication
    • Inspire Others
    • Commitment to Excellence
Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment:
  • 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.
  • This position will be assigned an agency vehicle. The position requires significant driving and field visits within geographically assigned areas.
  • Must complete and pass IS-700 and ICS-100 courses.
  • Must pass the DNR work capacity test or “Pack Test” at the arduous level prior to starting work and annually thereafter.
  • A valid unrestricted driver’s license and two years of driving experience. This position requires driving as an essential function. Finalists and/or interview candidates will be asked to provide a driving record from all states where they have held a license for the past three years. 
Desired Qualifications:
  • Knowledge and/or experience with:
    • Smoke management
    • Regulatory Education
    • Fire Regulatory Enforcement
    • Burn Plan Writing
    • Fire Investigation
    • DNR Burn Permit Regulations
  • Hold multiple single resource boss qualifications and/or Incident Commander Type 4, Strike Team Leader/Task Force Leader, and Wildland Fire Investigator.
  • Knowledge of employment rules and regulations as they apply to Permanent, Seasonal Career, and Seasonal DNR Employees.

 

Supplemental Information

Application Requirements:

  • To be considered you must apply online at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above). 
  • Attach a letter of interest describing how your experience and qualifications relate to the position profile and the position required, desired, and special requirements.
  • 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.
  • Important: Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.).
  • Complete all supplemental questions.
  • 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 those communications.
Questions?  Please contact Jason McMillen at jason.mcmillen@dnr.wa.gov/360-854-8098 or e-mail us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov

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 protect the health and productivity of Washington’s lands and waters to meet the needs of present and future generations.
Our Core Values:
  • Safety and Well-Being —Our top priority is the safety of the public and our employees.
  • Public Service —We value and respect the public we serve, and we value and respect the people of the Department of Natural Resources who step up to serve.
  • Innovation and Creative Problem-Solving — We solve our state’s most pressing challenges through innovative thinking, dedication, and bold and creative vision.
  • Leadership and Teamwork —We are committed to building leaders at all levels and building teams for success.
DNR provides excellent benefits, a few of which include:
  • Commitment to organizational health and wellness
  • Work/life balance
  • DNR Employee Resource Groups (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, Women’s Employee Resource Group, Veterans Employee Resource Group, etc.)
  • Statewide Employee Business Resource Groups, visit here to learn more
  • Leadership that empowers and supports employees
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Educational and career development aid
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
  • Opportunities to participate in wildland fire suppression assignments
  • A comprehensive benefits package that includes employer contributions toward health insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans, sick leave, and vacation days. Visit http://careers.wa.gov/benefits.html for more information.
Additional Information:
This recruitment may be extended and may also be used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty (60) days.
 
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.

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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