Cle Elum-Hand Crew Squad Boss, Wildland Fire Management Lead (WFML)

State of Washington•Kittitas County - Cle Elum, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within the Southeast Region for a Hand Crew Squad Boss, Wildland Fire Management Lead (WFML). This role involves leading a 20-Person Initial Attack Handcrew while working in Washington’s most diverse geographic region. The position requires a bright, quick-thinking, motivated individual who enjoys the challenge of wildland firefighting.

Requirements

Knowledge of wildland fire suppression tactics and fire behavior recognition.
Certified as a National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Firefighter Type 1.
Creates a positive work environment where all staff are motivated to do their best.
Encourages team unity through sharing information or expertise, working together to solve problems, and putting team success first.
Maintains an open, approachable manner and treats others fairly and respectfully.
Accustomed to tailoring communication to the needs and preferences of others.
Preserves others' self-confidence and dignity and shows regard for their opinions.
Safely performs work at all times. Avoids shortcuts that increase health and safety risks to self or others.
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.
Must pass a work capacity test annually at the arduous level as required by NWCG.
Position assigned duty station is the Cle Elum Fire Unit Work Center.
Incumbent must be able to traverse uneven terrain in all weather conditions.
The outside environment varies from hot, dry, heat-related illness-type conditions in summer, to cold, wet, hypothermic-type conditions closer to wintertime.
This position requires driving as an essential function.
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).

Nice To Haves

A bachelor's or associate's degree in Fire Science, Natural Resource, or related field; or some higher education that required coursework in Fire Sciences and/or Silviculture.
Certified at the NWCG qualification level of Single Resource Boss-Crew Boss or higher.
Certified as an NWCG Incident Commander Type 4 or higher.
Knowledge of employment rules and regulations as they apply to permanent, seasonal career and seasonal DNR employees.
Skills in evaluating others’ abilities and assessing training needs.
Experience supervising or leading wildland firefighting personnel.
Experience in forest fire protection regulatory programs.

Responsibilities

Leads crew to conduct site fuels and fire effects data collection, unit preparation, assist with burn plan writing, community outreach, and Rx burn implementation support to include firing, holding, burn boss, etc.
Leads crew to conduct home ignition zone assessments as part of Wildfire Ready Neighbors or independent requests from landowners and/or communities.
Leads crew in conducting non-commercial thinning and slash abatement, project layout, and compliance, in coordination with State Lands and Landowner Assistance staff.
Supports forest health project layout, tree marking, road brushing, and GPS data collection surveys.
Assists with timber sales, layout, marking, forest cruising, and road maintenance.
Protects human life, natural resources, and property on Department-protected lands from wildland and urban interface fires to minimize resource loss and fire costs while ensuring firefighter and public safety.
Provides direct Fireline supervision of the hand crew, which responds to grass, brush, and forest fires and is available for district, region, and statewide and/or interagency dispatch.
Provides interagency fire suppression activities for initial attack, extended attack, mop-up, mop-up, patrol, and rehabilitation.
On initial attack fires, may perform ICS functions such as Incident Commander Type 4 and 5, Task Force Leader, air-to-ground contact, single resource boss, firefighter, timekeeper, or public relations contact.
Assists in ensuring safe and efficient use of the Chelan handcrew as an efficient and effective firefighting resource.
Works cooperatively with other fire protection authorities when working on joint jurisdiction fires.
Assists with and authors initial incident reports, fire situation narratives, and fire reports.
Plans and implements training for seasonal crews and interagency cooperators.
Instructs training for seasonal and permanent staff, interagency cooperators, and private contractors as appropriate.
Assists with developing the Unit’s annual preparedness review.
Plans and provides drills and training exercises on a regular basis to the seasonal staff.
Ensures safe working practices are followed and holds regular safety meetings and After-Action Reviews with the seasonal staff.
Tracks crew training and ensures position task books are completed accurately.
Develops and implements annual pre-suppression project work plans for firefighters.
Attends and participates in Unit and Region Staff meetings.
Assists with implementation of the unit’s operational plan and ensures staff, equipment, and facilities are available and ready to meet the Region operational plan.
Coordinates work planning activities with other program managers and specialists.
Ensures vehicles and equipment are serviced regularly.
Inspects, evaluates, and recommends the potential need for replacement of fire equipment, supplies, and vehicles to Crew Superintendent and Foreman.
Prepares for and participates in interagency training classes and hands-on courses of wildland firefighting tactics, fire behavior recognition, safe chainsaw operation, use of tools, pumps and water delivery systems, working around helicopters, and assessments of hazards.
Assists crew with guidance on various position task books, training records, and evaluations.
Attends Fire Trainings to meet the Chelan Fire Unit’s goals and personal fire training plan.
As assigned, assists with required annual firefighter training and needs and maintains certifications as required by the job position and to assist in currency training of the crew.
Assists with administration of Work Capacity Tests (pack tests).
Assists in conducting Fire Unit training and participates as instructor or lead at the Statewide Fire Training Academies or other trainings.
Prepares lesson plans and timelines for a variety of professional trainings for participants from DNR, Interagency Cooperators, and the general public.
May lead or assist in presenting annual Operator Safety Training sessions for private fire contractors.
Plans drills and training exercises for the Chelan Hand Crew.
Analyze and document training needs required to meet Incident Command System and appropriate NWCG position qualifications, certifications, and readiness levels.
Ensures completion of all required agency and NWCG documentation.
Ensures annual IQS information is sent to Region Training Coordinators.
May function as Crew Supervisor in either the Crew Superintendent’s or the Crew Foreman’s absence.
If qualified, may act as Crew Foreman or Superintendent.
May assist with fire prevention and fire regulation program, as assigned.
May participate in prescribed fire operations for the DNR or other agencies.
Assists other programs such as Recreation with public use issues, campground maintenance, and recreation projects, as assigned.
May assist in performing tasks involving timber presale preparation as assigned by the timber sale unit, including general sale layout, road location, surveying, marking and cruising timber, prescribed fire, and fuels reduction.
Following DNR’s Physical Fitness Training Policy (P020-007), the position requires passing annual work capacity tests at the arduous or moderate levels as NWCG requires.

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
A comprehensive benefits package includes employer contributions toward health insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans, sick leave, and vacation days.