East Wenatchee-Hand Crew Squad Boss, Wildland Fire Management Lead (WFML)

State of Washington•Douglas County - East Wenatchee, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within the Southeast Region for a bright, quick-thinking, motivated individual to fill the role of Hand Crew Squad Boss, Wildland Fire Management Lead (WFML). This position involves leading a 20-Person Initial Attack Handcrew while working in Washington’s most diverse geographic region. The role requires a strong understanding of wildland firefighting, leadership skills, and the ability to perform physically demanding tasks in various environmental conditions.

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 Wenatchee 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.
These duties may involve field work requiring physical performance calling for above average endurance and superior conditioning.
Position requires a large amount of travel (up to 50%).
This includes travel alone between fires, work centers, proposed work sites, and ongoing supervisory tasks as well as meeting with partners and cooperators.
This includes driving in snowy, icy conditions with poor to little visibility, to driving in conditions while surrounded by smoke and fire.
This position requires both night and overnight travel.
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.
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.

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.
Leads crew to conduct home ignition zone assessments and participate in community education days, outreach, and prevention events.
Leads crew to conduct non-commercial thinning and slash abatement, project layout, and compliance.
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 from wildland and urban interface fires.
Provides direct Fireline supervision of the hand crew for initial attack, extended attack, mop-up, patrol, and rehabilitation.
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 on initial attack fires.
Assists in ensuring safe and efficient use of the Chelan handcrew.
Works cooperatively with other fire protection authorities 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Assists with required annual firefighter training and needs and maintains certifications.
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.
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.
Analyzes and documents 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.
Passes annual work capacity tests at the arduous or moderate levels as NWCG requires.

Benefits

Partial Telework flexibility may be available and considered
Relocation Compensation may be available and considered
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
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