Burn Team Crew Member – Natural Resource Specialist 1

EIGHT (8) OPENINGS
FULL-TIME/CAREER SEASONAL
BURN TEAM CREW MEMBER
NATURAL RESOURCE SPECIALIST 1 (NRS1)

Wildlife Program – Lands Division

Season Length: 9 months
March 1 –November 30 

Please note: This recruitment is posted until filled, with a first review of applications to take place on July 30, 2024.   Application review will be ongoing, and therefore, we encourage you to submit your application materials as soon as possible. This recruitment may be closed at any time.

We are seeking Burn Team Crew Members in both South Central and North Central Washington. Apply to one (1) or both locations by submitting one (1) application.

Four (4) Positions – Yakima, Washington – Yakima County 
Four (4) Positions – Okanogan, Washington – Okanogan County

The Prescribed Fire Program is crucial for enhancing forest resilience in Washington through comprehensive prescribed fire planning and implementation.

In this role, envision yourself supporting the North or South Central Washington zone by maintaining equipment, assisting in prescribed burns, and working as a team to ensure operational efficiency.

Picture yourself, 

A part of a team environment, accomplishing overall ecological fire management activities. 

The optimal applicants, 

Will have experience operating equipment such as all-terrain vehicles (ATV), utility-terrain vehicles (UTV), 4-wheel drive vehicles, bulldozers, excavators, wildland fire engine, water delivery pumps.

We are seeking a candidate, 

Who models WDFW values: Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).

Duties

Here is what you will be doing, 

Prescribed Fire Pre and Post Operations: 

• Function within a team environment to accomplish overall ecological fire management activities including: 
  • Maintenance and upkeep of tools and equipment and preparation of burn units, such as establishing fuel breaks/line construction. 
  • Basic planning, fuels inventory and area layout. 
  • Implementation of firing techniques using firing devices. 
  • Patrolling and mop up assignments. 
  • Maintain ecological function of natural systems for the benefit of fisheries and wildlife habitat. 
  • Provide for employee and public safety while implementing assigned work projects.

Equipment Operation and Maintenance: 

• Operate various types of equipment such as 4-wheel drive vehicles, all-terrain vehicles (ATV), utility-terrain vehicles (UTV), Type 6 fire engine, various equipment trailers, chainsaws and hand tools in a safe and efficient manner.
• Provide equipment maintenance and repair to a fire ready condition, including hand tools, chainsaws, water delivery pumps and vehicles. 
• Organize and track inventories of fire line equipment for accountability of equipment and costs.

Monitoring:

• Gather or assist in gathering detailed resource information to provide basic pre- and post-burn monitoring such as fuels inventories and vegetation surveys.

Other Duties as Assigned: 

• Participate in forest thinning operations to reduce and maintain stand densities. 
• Conduct miscellaneous wildlife area duties as assigned during non-fire periods such as visitor signage replacement, repair construction, assistance with planting food plots, weed control, fence construction and maintenance.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • The position requires work in an office and shop environment.
  • Field work will include carrying tools and a typical fire field/fire pack that may weigh more than 50 pounds on uneven terrain, in all types of weather and often smoky conditions.
  • Hazards may include but are not limited to burns and smoke inhalation from prescribed and wildfire, falling branches and trees, rolling material, working around heavy equipment, loud noises, driving in vehicles on paved and unpaved roads, conducting or near chainsaw operations, working with and around sharp tools, wild and domesticated animals, fatigue, exposure to environmental conditions including heat, cold and wind and interactions with the public.
  • Walk, bend, stoop, while at times carrying more than 50 pounds.
  • Ability to load and transport equipment and gear.
• Schedule:
  • Regular schedule is full time, 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week.
  • Work hours will remain flexible to enhance functionality and productivity to ensure program goals are achieved.
  • Work will exceed 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week during prescribed burning season. Will work long hours, including weekends and holidays in isolated field settings.
• Travel Requirements:
  • Frequent travel to conduct implementation of fuels projects, especially during prescribed burning, and other projects will be required.
• Tools and Equipment:
  • During prescribed burning and other work projects equipment may include engines, excavator, hand tools, chainsaws, water handling equipment as well as office equipment.
• Customer Interactions:
  • Interacts with contractors, interagency cooperators, the public, and other WDFW staff. Interaction with other agencies and the public occurs regularly to explain prescribed fire work.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school graduation or GED.

AND

• Four (4) years of experience working on prescribed fire or wildland fire suppression assignments.

OR 

• Associate’s degree in related field AND two (2) years of experience working on prescribed fire or wildland fire suppression assignments.

Experience: 

• Experience using fire management and fuel inventory tools.
• Experience using water handling equipment.

Certifications/Licenses: 

• Valid Driver’s License.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Currently certified at Fire Fighter Type 2 (FFT2) under the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) specifications and standards having received the following training:
  • Introduction to ICS (I-100).
  • Human Factors on the Fireline (L-180).
  • Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (S-190).
  • Firefighter Training (S-130).
  • Advanced Firefighter (S-131).
  • Look Up, Look Down, Look Around (S-133).
• Please Note: the following trainings listed above are no longer required – Advanced Firefighter (S-131), Look Up, Look Down, Look Around (S-133).
• Upon employment must pass the Work Capacity Test at the Arduous Level.
• Agency will provide training for driving Type 6 fire engines.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following: 

• Experience operating all-terrain vehicle (ATV), utility-terrain vehicle (UTV), 4-wheel drive vehicles, bulldozers, excavators, wildland fire engine, water delivery pumps.
• Training in Portable Pumps and Water Use (S-211).
• Training in Basic Chainsaw (S-212)
• Training in Firing Operations (S-219)
• Career oriented toward fire ecology/science and learning to use fire to achieve resource management objectives.
• First-aid/CPR certification or similar certification such as first responder.

Supplemental Information

Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.

Experience and education selected, listed, and detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable in the application.

In order to successfully apply for this position, you MUST complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov and attach the following to your profile before completing the online application:

• A cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (Generic cover letter will not be accepted).
• A current resume. 
• Three professional references. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: 

All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link:  https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

JOIN THE WDFW TEAM:

Learn about our agency and the perks of working for WDFW!

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has some of the most talented people in the natural resource field.  We celebrate and value diversity, appreciating that a workforce composed of those from different backgrounds and experiences creates an inclusive environment, strengthens positive relationships with the local community, and brings new perspectives and approaches to fulfilling the agency’s mission. We value demonstrated skill in living WDFW values of Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).

WDFW employees may be eligible for the following: Benefits

Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave types. 

Eleven (11) Paid Holidays per year and one (1) personal holiday if the employee is scheduled to be, or has been, continuously employed by the State of Washington for at least four (4) months. 

Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA),  and an Employee Assistance Program.

UNION – WAFWP:

This position is in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

VETERAN PREFERENCE NOTICE:

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Email a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter to [email protected].
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and Vet (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE NOTICE: 

To take advantage of military spouse preference, please do the following:

• Notify us of your military spouse status by email at [email protected]. 
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and MS (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – MS)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Note: Please blackout any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. 

As part of WDFW’s efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications.   Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully.  All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer.  We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity.   Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Should you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the assigned recruiter at [email protected]. 

Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email [email protected], or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or [email protected].