Responsibilities:
The Forest Health Engine Captains will be expected to excel at two separate jobs over the course of the project duration, depending on the time of year, and will be under the guidance of a Wildland Fire Management Specialist (Assistant Fire Management Officer). One of these responsibilities will be operating as a supervisor for the River City Fuels Crew, a 22-person fuels reduction crew following specific prescriptions to implement forest health plans for priority sites around the District. This will include supervising one Wildland Fire Management Lead and up to four Wildland Fire Management Technicians. This position will be the primary leadership on the ground at the project sites and is responsible for assessing and monitoring the safety of the crew members while also comparing crew production output to project deadlines.

This position will be making recommendations on fuels reduction strategies and then driving the completion of the prescriptions while ensuring the guidance of the forester or project manager is being adhered to. The Forest Health Engine Captain will be operating alongside agency partners and is a critical part of the professional representation of the Arcadia District.

The fuels reduction crew will be implementing wildland hazardous fuels mitigation projects. These critical services protect public resources, natural resources, and public safety. The fuels reduction projects will help the agency implement Goal 1 of the 20-Year Forest Health Strategic Plan, Eastern Washington, by directly providing scientifically sound, landscape-scale cross-boundary management and restoration treatments in priority watersheds to increase forest and watershed resilience. The treatment projects include non-commercial tree thinning using chain saws, tree pruning, and slash abatement. Slash abatement can be performed using prescribed fire, chipping, or windrowing for mechanical mastication.

During the fire season, the Forest Health Engine Captains will be operating as a Wildland Firefighting Engine Captain on a Type 5 brush Engine in the Arcadia District, supervising up to 4 Wildland Firefighters, and responsible for responding to wildfire incidents in a safe and efficient manner. This will include operating in NWCG Wildland Fire positions such as Incident Commander, Engine Boss, Heavy Equipment Boss, Wildland Fire Investigator, and more depending on the scale and needs of the incident.

When not on wildfire incidents, these positions are responsible for creating daily schedules for the firefighters on their Engine, which may include training, studying, or checking previous incidents. The Engine will be expected to be competent and professional while on and off the fire line. The Forest Health Engine Captain will also play a hand in our prevention messaging and support the Department's Wildfire Ready Neighbor program, where they will be expected to be subject matter experts on wildfire home defense and hardening.

The Arcadia District is a fast-paced and complex work environment that places an emphasis on building culture that requires an individual who will work within the team goals and dynamics to be successful. The individuals selected for these positions would be employed year-round, completing fuels reduction work in the winters and engaged in fire suppression in the summers.

Required Qualifications:
You must meet all the Required Qualifications and Competencies to be considered for this position. There are multiple pathways to meet qualifications, such as education, volunteer work, life skills, and experience. Please clearly communicate in your application material that your skills align with the position and qualifications.

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• NWCG qualified as:
  • Single Resource Boss (any)
  • Incident Commander Type 5
• Supervisory experience.
• Experience with computer applications, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and GPS.
• Experience with:
  • Fire Effects and Fire Fuel Reduction
  • Smoke Management
  • Regulatory Education
  • Fire Regulatory and Enforcement
  • Fire Prevention Programs
  • Fire Suppression
  • Silvicultural techniques to improve forest health

• Good writing and verbal communication skills and ability to work with the public, sometimes under stressful conditions.
• Ability to act promptly and use good judgment in emergencies.
• Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.
• Perform assigned duties in a manner consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and public records retention, and ensure requests are followed.
• DNR Core Competencies:
  • Personal Accountability
  • Value Others
  • Compassionate Communication
  • Inspire Others
  • Commitment to Excellence
    
    

• Must annually pass the arduous level work capacity test.
• This position is a field position (80%). The fire suppression and prescribed fire work is strenuous outdoor work in all weather conditions. Must be able to traverse uneven and mountainous terrain, e.g., very steep terrain; rocky, loose, or muddy ground surfaces; thick vegetation; down/standing trees; wet leaves/grass; varied climates (cold, hot, wet, dry, humid, snow, rain; high altitudes; heights; holes and drop-offs; very rough roads; open bodies of water; isolated/remote sites. Might need to work in close quarters, with limited/disrupted sleep.
• This position will be assigned an agency vehicle. Position requires significant driving and field visits within the assigned area.
• A current, valid driver’s license and two years of driving experience. Additionally, DNR requires state drivers to possess a license that is not suspended, revoked, or restricted (for example, Occupational/Restricted Driver Licenses or requiring ignition interlock devices). This position requires driving as an essential function. Finalists and/or interview candidates will be asked to provide a driving record from all states in which they have held a license during the past three years.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science, Natural Resources, Forestry, or related field OR an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• NWCG Qualifications:
  • Incident Commander Type 4
  • Strike Team Leader or Task Force Leader
  • Wildland Fire Investigator
  • Multiple Single Resource Boss qualifications
  • Prescribed Fire Burn Boss 2 (RXB2)
  • Fire Effects Monitoring (FEMO)
  • Firing Boss (FIRB)
• Experience with:
  • Prescribed Fire Operations
  • Burn Plan Writing
  • DNR Burn Permit Regulations
  • Silvicultural techniques to improve habitat for fish and wildlife
  • Monitoring and/or data collection for fire effects, forest insects and disease, and/or forest health conditions.
  • Knowledge of the application: Survey 1-2-3.

Application Requirements: Failure to provide the listed documents may result in disqualification. If you have questions or difficulty attaching these documents, please contact DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.

• Online Application: Apply at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above). You must complete the entire online application to be considered for the position.
• Cover Letter: Your cover letter should be tailored to this job posting. Be sure to highlight your qualifications for this role, directly address the requirements of the position, and explain why you’re the best candidate for the job.
• Resume: Your resume should consist of your work history, education, volunteer work, life skills, experience, and any other relevant information associated with the position.
• References: References are optional at the time your application is submitted. Finalists will be asked to provide a list of at least three (3) professional references, to include a current or most recent supervisor, along with telephone numbers.
• Complete All Supplemental Questions: Answers to these questions will be used to evaluate candidates. Please provide comprehensive answers to all questions requiring a text response.
• Important: Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (Social Security Number, year of birth, etc.).
• Email Communication: 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 these communications.

• Safety and Well-Being —Our top priority is the safety of the public and our employees.
• Public Service —We value and respect the public we serve, and we value and respect the people of the Department of Natural Resources who step up to serve.
• Innovation and Creative Problem-Solving — We solve our state’s most pressing challenges through innovative thinking, dedication, and bold and creative vision.
• Leadership and Teamwork —We are committed to building leaders at all levels and building teams for success.

• 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 benefits package 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.