Forestry Technician (Fire Dispatch)

Forest Service • East Wenatchee, WA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located within a National Forest and serves as a fire dispatcher on a fire crew in the fire management organization. Its primary purpose is to support wildland fire suppression activities by dispatching personnel, equipment, and supplies, coordinating aviation operations, processing weather information, and providing logistical support. The role anticipates resource needs, allocates resources, and helps ensure dispatch operations follow established procedures. The position is temporary for the FY2027 hiring season and may be filled for up to six months or, in some cases, up to one year.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• Pass background investigation and/or fingerprint adjudication.
• Pass pre-employment and random drug testing; appointment is contingent on a negative pre-employment result.
• Meet Federal Wildland Firefighter Medical Standards for arduous-duty wildland firefighting and pass the appropriate Work Capacity Test level.
• Have prior wildland firefighting experience.
• For GS-06, have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-05. Qualifying examples include dispatching and tracking resources for fire or other emergencies; arranging ground and air transportation of personnel, supplies, and equipment; and collecting, processing, and disseminating weather and smoke-management information through computer programs or databases.
• Provide a resume that clearly documents qualifying experience; provide transcripts when relying on education for qualifications.
• Be willing to live and work in remote, volatile or unpredictable locations and undertake occasional overnight travel for fire suppression or related assignments.
• Make required federal payments by direct deposit.

Responsibilities

• Determine appropriate responses to field incidents and requests, and independently dispatch personnel, equipment, and supplies for wildland fire suppression.
• Anticipate resource needs, resolve irregular dispatch problems, and recommend current or anticipated resource orders and efficient resource use.
• Coordinate aviation dispatch operations, including aircraft capabilities and limitations, flight planning, and aviation safety.
• Use wildland firefighting experience and training to anticipate suppression needs and determine resource allocation.
• Operate or direct the operation of dispatch telecommunication systems.
• Organize and review records of orders and actions to ensure compliance with operating procedures.
• Process and interpret weather information, including forecasts, observations, lightning detection, and fuel moisture levels, to determine burning indices, preparedness levels, and staffing levels.
• Input data into fire-related computer applications, assess application outputs, and direct others performing data entry.
• Plan and provide logistical support information to the supervisor for fire management activities.
• Provide information and consult with cooperators and other interested entities.
• Record and maintain communication logs.
• Coordinate and assist with fire training and orientation.
• Review dispatch operating procedures and systems, recommend improvements, and update or develop operating plans and mobilization guides.
• Assist lower-level dispatch personnel with problems.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package, with benefits for the employee and family; specific eligibility depends on position type and hiring agency information.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed