Description

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

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 Hand Crews here in the Southeast Region. As a member of one of our Wildland Fire Hand 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 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 Hand Crew:

• Work in remote areas away from vehicles for long periods of time.
• Work in extremely rugged terrain.
• Travel for extended periods of time (for multiple weeks): outside of your home unit to assist on fires within the region, to other regions and/or states for large fires.
• Build strong team cohesion within the 20-person crew, on a day-to-day basis.
• 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.

Our 20 Person Hand Crews are considered a region resource and will be expected to travel frequently and for extended periods of time during fire season. When the crew is not engaged on fires within the region, they can be sent on fire assignments out of region/out of state and are also available for prescribed burning and other projects throughout the region.

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:

• Must be age 18 and possess a high school diploma or equivalent at the time of hire.
• Must have a valid driver's license and two years of driving experience. Must have an acceptable driving record free of serious traffic violations (for specifics see application form below). (UPDATED 4/10-moved to desired qualifications)
• Ability to act promptly and use good judgment in emergencies, and deal tactfully with the public.
• Must pass the DNR work capacity test or "Pack Test" during the selection process and prior to starting work.
• Must complete and pass IS-700 and ICS-100 courses (see information below).
• DNR Core Competencies:
  • Personal Accountability
  • Value Others
  • Compassionate Communication
  • Inspire Others
  • Commitment to Excellence
• Employees must furnish proof of eligibility to work in the United States upon hire.

Desired Qualifications

• Previous natural resource experience.
• 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 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:
CHELAN
The Chelan Fire Unit is located in East Wenatchee, WA. The response area covers both private and Federal lands within Chelan County and western sections of Douglas County. The Chelan Fire Unit prides itself on being a High Reliability Organization with a strong emphasis on our interagency cooperation with County and Federal Firefighters. Handcrew members will help staff a 20-person Type 2 Initial Attack Crew. The majority of our fire responses include our partner agencies, the local Fire Districts, US Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management. On average the Chelan Fire Unit will respond to roughly 80 incidents per year. This Chelan Unit is made up of 7 wildland fire engines, the 20-person hand crew, and an initial attack dozer.

Bryan Lyle Crew 411 SUPT. bryan.lyle@dnr.wa.gov 509.856.5500
Joseph Stuart Crew 411 Foreman joseph.stuart@dnr.wa.gov 509.856.5498

Cle Elum
The Kittitas Unit works out of Cle Elum work centers. This unit falls within the boundary of Kittitas County, which has a total area of 2,333 square miles. The Kittitas Unit consists of 6 Type-5 fire engine modules; 1 permanent engine lead, 5 seasonal engine leads, and 18 seasonal firefighters and a 20-person hand crew stationed in Cle Elum. Our unit holds our interagency cooperation in high regards by embracing the all hands all lands vision, through this theme we are able to protect state and private timber lands, along with the citizens of Washington State. On average we respond to roughly 60 incidents a year. Crew housing is not available on site, but rental options are available. http://www.kittitascountychamber.com/

Dallas Barron, dallas.barron@dnr.wa.gov (509) 856-5121
Court Martin, AFMO- Cle Elum, Court.martin@dnr.wa.gov , 509-899-7613
Spencer Slyfield, FMO, Spencer.Slyfield@dnr.wa.gov , 509-899-9000

AHTANUM- This location is no longer accepting applications.
At our Ahtanum Guard Station facility, located 29 miles west of Yakima, DNR hosts a 20-person Type- 2 initial attack hand crew that can be dispatched statewide throughout the wildfire season. At this location, shared crew housing is provided. Remotely located on the Ahtanum State Forest, the Ahtanum Guard Station is a work center for recreation, wildfire and other DNR staff and provides specifically for the hand crew employees, a bunkhouse style living quarters. Outdoor recreational opportunities for the public and employees are vast throughout the state forest. This crew is maintained at our Ahtanum Guard Station Facility located 29 miles west of Yakima, WA. At this location, shared crew housing is provided.

AHTANUM HANDCREW
9571 North Fork Rd
Yakima WA, 98903

Carson Zepp, Carson.Zepp@dnr.wa.gov , 509-899-2170
Jeff Delarosa, AFUM, Jeff.Delarosa@dnr.wa.gov , 509-899-0837

KLICKITAT
The Klickitat Unit in DNR’s Southeast Region hosts a 20-person Type 2 Initial Attack Hand Crew out of the new Dallesport Work Center in Dallesport, WA. Centrally located in Klickitat County, the crew is able to rapidly respond to wildfires throughout the unit and easily assist neighboring cooperating partners, such as the 20 rural and municipal departments, the United States Forest Service, the Yakama Nation, the Bureau of Land Management, and other agencies. Our location in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area that provides for ample outdoor recreational activities and is visually breathtaking. The crew consists of 6 permanent overhead staff and 14 seasonal firefighters. Our crew’s culture is one of inclusivity, professionalism, and high-reliability in fire response. Outside our initial attack responsibilities, we respond to regional and national wildfires as an effective firefighting resource. Crew housing will be available on site at our Dallesport Work Center.

Anthony Dobson, AFUM, Anthony.Dobson@dnr.wa.gov , (509) 310-3229
Charles Watkins, Crew Sup. Charles.Watkins@dnr.wa.gov , (509) 859-6884

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.