Description

Salary: $3,301.00 - $3,692.00 Monthly

Review of applications is ongoing. The hiring authority reserves the right to make hiring decisions at any time. It is in the applicant’s best interest to submit material as soon as possible.

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
The fire season is quickly approaching! The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is in search of hardworking, dedicated, responsible and reliable team members to join our Wildland Fire Engine Crews here in Northwest Region. As a member of one of our engine crews you will perform pre-suppression and suppression related activities.

Firefighting is hard work and requires long hours and time away from home. You must be willing and capable of performing strenuous outdoor work safely and productively. 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 as a member of an engine crew can form the foundation for a successful career in forestry and other natural resource professions.

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.

Duties

What to Expect as a DNR Firefighter:

• Prepare 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.
• Many of the duties performed on these jobs require considerable physical exertion; working outdoors in all terrain and weather conditions, working long hours, and extended periods of time away from home. Duties include but may not be limited to the ability to carry up to 60 pounds, run, bend, twist, walk and/or climb.

Below is a chart describing what the work of a wildland firefighter may include:
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.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Ability to act promptly and use good judgment in emergencies, and deal tactfully with the public.
• Ability to carry up to 60 lbs., run, bend, twist, walk and/or climb. Must pass the DNR work capacity test or "Pack Test" during the selection process and prior to starting work.
• Basic firefighting knowledge. Must complete and pass IS-700 and ICS-100 courses (see information below).
• Must be age 18 and possess a high school diploma or equivalent at the time of hire.
• Ability to work on uneven terrain in ALL weather conditions, including extreme heat, rain, snow, etc.
• Position is required to travel. Requires large majority of time in the field traveling between fires.
• A valid driver’s license and have two years of driving experience. This position requires driving as an essential function. Must have an acceptable driving record free of serious traffic violations (for specifics see application form below).
• DNR Core Competencies:
  • Personal Accountability
  • Value Others
  • Compassionate Communication
  • Inspire Others
  • Commitment to Excellence
• Employees of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are required to complete their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines (be fully vaccinated against COVID-19) or be approved for a medical or religious accommodation as a condition of employment. Please note, any offer of employment is contingent and no start date will be approved until you have either verified your vaccine status or have an approved accommodation. “Fully vaccinated” means the following: An employee is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks after they have received the second dose in a two-dose series of a COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Novavax) or a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., Johnson & Johnson (J&J)/Janssen) authorized for emergency use, licensed, or otherwise approved by the FDA or listed for emergency use, or otherwise approved by the World Health Organization.
• Employees must furnish proof of eligibility to work in the United States upon hire.

Our ideal candidate will also have the qualifications listed below:

• 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.

Supplemental 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 and all supplemental questions 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.

If selected for an interview you will be required to:

• Provide a current Employment Driving Record from each state you have held a driver’s license in within the last two 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.
• Provide Certificates of Course Completion for IS-700 and ICS-100 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 Work Capacity Test by completing a 3 mile walk with a 45 pound pack in under 45 minutes.
  • PRIOR to reporting to the Pack Test, you will be required to turn in a completed Waiver and Release Form and a Completed Health Screening Questionnaire (HSQ). 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.
  • 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.

Work Locations:
The Northwest Region covers wildland fire protection, regulation, and prevention from the area just north of the greater Seattle (Snohomish/King County line), to the Canadian border, including Whidbey, Camano, and the San Juan Islands on the west to the Cascade Mountain crest on the east. Wildland fire protection ranges from industrial forestlands, to conservation landscapes, to the Wildland Urban Interface located in the developed rural and municipal communities. No housing is available for fire crews in the Region. Engine Crews work out of pre-determined rendezvous points strategically scattered throughout Snohomish, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties to provide for fire protection response throughout the whole region and to accommodate the most efficient meeting locations for firefighters that live across a wide array of locations. Northwest Region consists of two Fire Units.

South Zone
The Salish Fire Unit covers all of Snohomish, Island, San Juan and the southern portion of Skagit Counties. The South Zone staffs 5 four-person Engine Crews. Engine Crews are desired to work out of the following pre-determined locations: Monroe to Snohomish general area, Arlington to Darrington general area, Sedro-Woolley to Big Lake general area, and Burlington to Anacortes general area. In the application questions, please specify your preference and/or availability of work locations within the South Zone Fire Unit.

North Zone
The Kulshan Fire Unit covers all of Whatcom and the majority of Skagit Counties. The North Zone staffs 5 four-person Engine Crews. Engine Crews are desired to work out of the following pre-determined locations: Deming, Bellingham general area, Alger general area, Sedro-Woolley to Concrete general area. In the application questions, please specify your preference and/or availability of work locations within the North Zone Fire Unit.

Questions? Please contact Northwest Region office at Northwest.region@dnr.wa.gov ,
or 360-856-3500.

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

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. Additional Information:
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!

The 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 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.

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.