Forest Health Engine Captain, Wildland Fire Management Supervisor (WFMSup)

State of Washington • Spokane County – Other, WA

5d • $4,201 - $5,642 • Onsite

About The Position

The Northeast Region of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking two Forest Health Engine Captains (Wildland Fire Management Supervisors) to support the department's goals and mission. The DNR protects over 13 million acres of state and private lands, working with interagency partners on wildland fire prevention, suppression, and mitigation. This position will serve as a supervisor on the River City Fuels Crew during non-fire season months, focusing on fuels reduction to implement forest health plans. During the fire season, the role transitions to an Engine Captain, conducting initial attack wildfire suppression. The Arcadia District, responsible for forest health, wildfire suppression, prevention education, and regulation in four counties, is heavily involved in hazardous fuels reduction and initial attack wildfire incidents, with significant interagency cooperation.

Requirements

• 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.
• Must annually pass the arduous level work capacity test.
• 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.
• A current, valid driver’s license and two years of driving experience.
• DNR requires state drivers to possess a license that is not suspended, revoked, or restricted.
• 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

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Supervise a 22-person fuels reduction crew (River City Fuels Crew) following specific prescriptions to implement forest health plans.
• Supervise one Wildland Fire Management Lead and up to four Wildland Fire Management Technicians.
• Act as the primary on-the-ground leadership at project sites, assessing and monitoring crew safety and comparing production output to project deadlines.
• Make recommendations on fuels reduction strategies and drive the completion of prescriptions, ensuring adherence to forester or project manager guidance.
• Operate alongside agency partners and represent the Arcadia District professionally.
• Implement wildland hazardous fuels mitigation projects, including non-commercial tree thinning, tree pruning, and slash abatement (using prescribed fire, chipping, or mechanical mastication).
• Act as a Wildland Firefighting Engine Captain on a Type 5 brush Engine during the fire season, supervising up to 4 Wildland Firefighters.
• Respond to wildfire incidents safely and efficiently, operating in NWCG Wildland Fire positions such as Incident Commander, Engine Boss, Heavy Equipment Boss, and Wildland Fire Investigator.
• Create daily schedules for firefighters on the Engine when not on wildfire incidents, which may include training, studying, or reviewing previous incidents.
• Play a role in prevention messaging and support the Department's Wildfire Ready Neighbor program, acting as a subject matter expert on wildfire home defense and hardening.
• Work within team goals and dynamics in a fast-paced and complex work environment.

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED