Wildland Fire Operations Technician 3
Recruitment #2021-05-7883
This is a Full-time, Permanent, Represented position.

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our Olympic Region. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is home to Washington’s largest on-call fire department and is entrusted with the responsible of protecting over 13 million acres in both state and privately owned lands. Working with interagency partners, the DNR embraces an “all hands on land” vision. DNR’s Fire Program serves the communities of Washington, and are strong advocates of wildland fire prevention, suppression and mitigation. The Olympic Region, Wildfire District is actively seeking to fill an Assistant Fire Unit Manager position in our Coast District located in Forks. If you are interested in a career that allows you to serve local communities by; becoming a leader within a Wildland Firefighting Unit, reducing wildfire risk, promoting healthy forests through prevention and mitigation and training the next generation of firefighters – this may be the perfect job opportunity to pursue.

This position will support the agency’s mission by providing wildland fire suppression to, and on behalf of, the public. The service that this position provides protects public resources, natural resources, and the public’s safety. In order to protect resources and keep the public safe, this position will train and manage a team of firefighters according to NWCG standards and according to DNR policies and best practices. This position will be responsible for implementing the Region operational plan when an incident occurs.

Individuals will be expected to provide critical leadership in initial and extended attack fire suppression. Strong decision making skills and a desire to take on responsibility are valued and encouraged. Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to the Wildland Fire Core Values of Duty, Respect, and Integrity

Responsibilities:

• Supervising and leading 12 seasonal engine leads/firefighters.
• Recruiting and building a strong, cohesive team that can work together in extreme fire environments.
• Determine safe and effective strategy and tactics during all phases of wildfire management based on available resources and expected conditions, all while providing for the safety of personnel and the public.
• Building and maintaining cooperating agency partnerships.
• Ensuring staff, resources, equipment and facilities are available for incidents.
• Maintaining compliance for written burn permits, applications and plans.
• Conducting fire tool inspections, assessing extreme hazard locations and writing abatements.
• Implementing fire prevention and fire education activities within the community.
• Interacting with the public and promoting the DNR Mission.
• Building a positive rapport with private landowners.
• Function as the Forks Fire Unit Manager in the manager’s absence.

Required Qualifications: 

• Wildland fire suppression experience.
• Knowledge of and experience in the Incident Command System.
• Red Carded in one of the following positions; Firefighter Type 1(t), Engine Boss, Felling Boss, Crew Boss or Heavy Equipment boss.
• Certified NWCG Incident Commander Type 5 or higher or the ability to obtain during the probationary period.
• Supervisory Experience.
• Two seasons of fire control, prevention, suppression, and education experience.
• Knowledge of forest regulation enforcements.
• Knowledge of burn permit regulations.
• Experience in fire training.
• Must be able to respond to the Forks office within 30 minutes for fire.
• Must have the ability to serve as an instructor for fire related training.
• Duties include but may not be limited to lifting more than twenty five pounds, running, bending, twisting, walkingand/or climbing
• Must be available to work hours outside of normal work schedule as needed for fire prevention and suppression activities.
• Must obtain and maintain First Aid certification.
• Successful candidates will be required to meet physical fitness standards for arduous level wildfire suppressionwork. This requires passing a work capacity test by completing within 45 minutes a 3-mile hike carrying a 45-pound pack. Supervised tests are administered by the Department of Natural Resources. Offers of employmentare contingent on passing the arduous level pack test. If hired before passing the pack test, failure to pass thetest would result in termination of probationary employment. (For promotional candidates, failure would result inreversion from trial service employment.)
• Work is frequently performed alone in isolated unimproved areas. Incumbent must be able to traverse uneven terrain in all weather conditions. The position will require operating a four wheel drive vehicle on highway and forest roads.
• The incumbent in this position is required to travel. Frequently requires time in the field traveling throughout region. Occasionally this position will require travel to meetings outside of the region.
• A valid driver’s license and have two years of driving experience. This position requires driving as an essential function. Finalists and/or interview candidates may be asked to provide a driving record from all states in which they have held a license during the past three years.

Our ideal candidate will also have the qualifications listed below:

• An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a natural resources field and at least four years of experience in wildland fire suppression and regulation, including at least two years of supervisory experience OR one year as a Wildland Fire Operations Technician 2.
• National Wildfire Coordinating Group qualified as a Task Force Leader or Helibase Manager Type 2, and as an Incident Commander Type 4.
• Experience using Microsoft Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Commitment to continual learning and adaption to technology advances.
• Skills in evaluating others’ abilities, and assessing training needs.
• Facilitative skills to work with groups of people to solve issues.

Location: 
One of the world’s most scenic places, Washington State offers breathtaking discoveries for people who love natural beauty and outdoor recreation, from the Pacific Coast shores to the rugged Cascade Mountains to the rolling hills of the Palouse. Your office will be located in Forks. For more information on this area visit, https://forkswashington.org/

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, telework (mobile-work) is expected for most office activities. When approved to return, staff are expected to report to their assigned duty station for work activities or may be approved for telework based on DNR’s telework policy.

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. With nearly 1,500 employees in locations throughout Washington, we manage and protect more than 5 million acres of state-owned forest, range, commercial, agricultural and aquatic lands.

DNR provides excellent benefits, a few of those 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 benefit 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.

How to Apply: 
To be considered you must apply online at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above). You must complete the entire online application to be considered for the position.

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.

Application Requirements:

• 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 with resume.
• Complete all supplemental questions.

Additional Information:
This recruitment may be extended and may also be used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty (60) days.

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.  We thank you and are grateful for your service!

Persons needing accommodation during the screening process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact DNR Recruiting staff at (360) 522-2500 or (360) 522-0143 or by email at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.  Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington State Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) at 1-800-833-6388 or www.washingtonrelay.com.

DNR is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind.

Check us out on: DNR’s website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | WordPress

Questions?  Please contact Jordan Hamrick at 360-640-8978, Jordan.hamrick@dnr.wa.gov or e-mail us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov