Aircraft Dispatch Coordinator, Wildland Fire Program Coordinator (WFPC1)

State of Washington•Douglas County - East Wenatchee, WA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our Southeast Region. The Central Washington Interagency Communications Center (CWICC) is looking for an Aircraft Dispatcher Coordinator to join our team. The person hired into this role will be responsible for providing timely and effective dispatching and coordination of aircraft, personnel, and equipment for fire suppression, as well as providing administrative support to the fire suppression program (i.e. fire reports, resource orders, record retention, cost tracking, rosters, smoke management, etc.). The incumbent of this position needs to have a wide variety of communication skills as they will interact with numerous levels of managers, supervisors, and employees within the DNR, as well as those within other agencies (US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, US Fish and Wildlife, rural fire districts, etc.) and the general public. It is critical that the incumbent in this position has the confidence and ability to make independent decisions based on emergent situations and maintain their composure and professionalism while working in a potentially high-stress environment.

Requirements

Two years of professional experience in the natural resource field, dispatching, communications, or business administration, or related field; OR an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
Incident Command System experience.
National Incident Management System (NIMS) training.
Experience with research and interpreting complex rules, legal documents, plans, and contracts.
Knowledge of fire suppression principles/techniques and resource capabilities/limitations.
Strong Organizational skills.
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 requests are followed.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in an applicable field of study, communications, or natural resources; OR any combination of education and experience.
Initial Attack Dispatcher experience.
Aircraft Dispatcher experience.
Experience in wildland firefighting operations.

Responsibilities

Coordinating, leading, and dispatching multi-agency rotor wing and fixed wing aircraft for initial attack.
Assessment and decision-making with regard to aircraft utilization on emerging and ongoing incidents.
Utilizing Automatic Flight Following (AFF), IROC, and WildCAD for aviation resource tracking and communication.
Monitors the need for Temporary Flight Restrictions.
Work, communicate, and coordinate with neighboring dispatch centers, as well as agency SEAT, helicopter, smokejumper, rappel, short-haul, and tanker bases.
Coordinate interagency aviation communications and preparedness.
Represent CWICC at various interagency aviation briefings, preparedness meetings, workshops, and after-action reviews.
Track costs for all CWICC-controlled aircraft.
Ensure correct implementation of DNR and federal aviation agreements, including Exclusive Use and Call When Needed resources.
Develop aircraft cost reports.
Supervise 2-4 seasonal Aircraft and/or Initial Attack dispatchers.

Benefits

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
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
Employer contributions toward health insurance
Paid holidays
Retirement plans
Sick leave
Vacation days