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2026 PACIFIC CASCADE REGION SUMMER WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER

State of Washington

State of Washington

Washington, USA · Multiple locations
USD 3,642-4,074 / month
Posted on Nov 14, 2025

Description

2026 PACIFIC CASCADE REGION SUMMER WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER
Recruitment #2025-11-WFF-PC
Full-time, Exempt, Non-represented positions.
Salary: $3,642.00 - $4,074.00 Monthly

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time. It is in your best interest to submit materials 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 searching for hardworking, dedicated, responsible, and reliable team members to join our Wildland Fire Engine Crews in the Pacific Cascade Region as a Wildland Firefighter. As a firefighter on 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 and maintain assigned equipment and vehicles to ensure fire readiness.
  • Safely respond to wildland fires 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, protecting wildlife, and maintaining recreation sites, buildings, grounds, roads, and equipment.
  • Many of the duties performed in these jobs require considerable physical exertion, including working outdoors in all terrain and weather conditions, long hours, and extended periods 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.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

  • Must be 18 years of age or older by your available hire date.
  • Must provide Certificates of Course Completion for IS-700 and ICS-100 before or on the day of the scheduled Work Capacity Test. 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.
  • Must pass the DNR work capacity test or "Pack Test" during the selection process and before starting work. The "Pack Test" is a work capacity test that measures aerobic capacity, muscular strength, and muscular endurance (45lbs vest, 3 miles within 45 minutes).
  • Firefighters require the competencies related to being able to effectively communicate with supervisors and work with and lead subordinates in wildland fire organizations.
  • Ability to act promptly, use good judgment in day-to-day activities and emergencies, and deal tactfully with the public and interagency partners.
  • 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.
Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment:
  • Duties involve field work in hazardous environments on fires, requiring physical performance calling for above-average endurance and superior conditioning. Ability to carry up to 60 lbs., run, bend, twist, walk, and/or climb while working outdoors in all terrain and weather conditions.
  • A typical workday is an 8-hour day, five days a week. Positions require response during off-duty hours for emergency fire suppression needs. This may include working long, irregular hours on workdays, weekends, day or night when performing suppression duties.
  • Requires a large majority of time in the field, traveling between fire assignments and fire training. The position requires frequent overnight travel and extended work assignments, generally 14 days in length with infrequent travel of 21 days.
  • Field duties require the use of hand tools, power tools, GPS, topographic maps, a compass, and an iPad. Must be able to carry appropriate wildland fire tools on field assignments, as needed, to conduct assigned tasks. Day-to-day responsibilities require the ability to safely operate pickup trucks and Type 5 Wildland Fire Engines.
  • Successful certification at the minimum level of Firefighter Type 2 is required after the annual work capacity test and firefighter courses are completed for the fire year.
Desired Qualifications:
  • A valid, unrestricted driver’s license and two years of driving experience.
  • NWCG Qualification of Firefighter Type 1.
  • A high school diploma or equivalent at the time of hire.

Supplemental Information

Application Requirements:

  • Apply online: at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above).
  • References: References are optional at the time your application is submitted. Finalists will be asked to provide a list of at least 3 professional references with current telephone numbers, including your current or most recent supervisor.
  • 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.
Before 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.

Work Locations:
North Fire Unit
The North Unit is spatially the largest unit, encompassing Lewis, Pacific, and a portion of South Grays Harbor counties. As such the unit ranges from scrub forests and sand dunes of the coast to the foothills of the Cascade Mountain range. The unit is primarily composed of private and public timberlands, generally supported by rural communities but also home to several larger municipalities such as Centralia, Chehalis, and Raymond Washington. The unit houses 7 engine crews out of 3 duty stations, Chehalis, Menlo, and Naselle. Limited housing is available on-site at Menlo, and five full hook-up RV sites available in Chehalis. Four bedrooms available off-site in Toledo. All housing will be assigned on an as-needed basis and is not guaranteed.
Unit Contacts:
Tanner Stemkoski – FMO - Tanner.Stemkoski@dnr.wa.gov
Jerrit Chenier – AFMO - Jerrit.Chenier@dnr.wa.gov

Central Fire Unit
The Central Unit is home to the Region Headquarters (Castle Rock) and connects the North and South Unit. As such Central Unit is commonly called upon to assist the North and South Units in addition to its fire suppression load. Central Unit is located in Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties, the unit houses 6 engine crews with duty stations in Kalama, Castle Rock, and Kelso/Longview Washington. No agency housing or RV hook-ups and parking is available, however private accommodations are available throughout the area.
Unit Contacts:
Josh Mohler – FMO - Josh.Mohler@dnr.wa.gov
Brandon Blodgett – AFMO - Brandon.Blodgett@dnr.wa.gov
Camerson Stewart – AFMO - Cameron.Stewart@dnr.wa.gov

South Fire Unit
The South Unit has the smallest occurrence of protected lands, due in large part to the amount of federally protected lands. However, the south has the greatest population levels as it is within commuting distance to the Portland Metro Area and therefore has the largest amount of Wildland Urban Interface and public interaction. South Unit is located in Clark and Skamania Counties, and houses 6 engine crews out of Battle Ground and North Bonneville Washington. No agency housing is available, however private accommodations are readily available.
Unit Contacts:
Trent Crossland – FMO - Trenton.Crossland@dnr.wa.gov
Kasey Bond – AFMO - Kasey.Bond@dnr.wa.gov
Dave Hubbard – AFMO - Dave.Hubbard@dnr.wa.gov

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. Additional Information:
Questions? Email us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.

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.

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 before 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.

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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.