2026 NORTHWEST REGION SUMMER WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER
State of Washington
Washington, USA · Multiple locations
USD 3,642-4,074 / month
Posted on Nov 14, 2025
Description
- 2026 NORTHWEST REGION SUMMER WILDLAND FIREFIGHTERRecruitment #2025-11-WFF-NWFull-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 Northwest 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
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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
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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.
- 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.
- 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
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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.
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. 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.
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. No housing is available for fire crews in the Region.
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. No housing is available for fire crews in the Region.
Questions? Please contact the 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. 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.

