Fuels Crew Lead, Wildland Fire Management Lead

Fuels Crew Lead, Wildland Fire Management Lead (WFML)
Full-time, Project, Represented position
Anticipated Project is November 2024-2026
Location: Northeast Region- Deer Park, WA
Work Hours flexibility may be available and considered
Salary: $3,477.00 – $4,632.00 Monthly

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment any time after 11/12/24. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

Responsibilities:
The Fuels Crew Lead will be expected to excel at two separate jobs throughout the two-year project duration. One will be working under the direction of a Forest Health Engine Captain on the River City Fuels reduction crew, assessing and monitoring the safety of fellow crewmembers while also comparing crew production output to project deadlines. This position will be making recommendations on fuels reduction strategies and then coordinating the completion of the prescriptions. Although it is not a direct supervisor in this role, individuals selected will be provided with additional responsibilities such as purchasing, public education, and other duties as assigned. The Fuels Crew Lead will be operating alongside agency partners and working to represent the District professionally.     

The fuels reduction crew will be implementing wildland hazardous fuels mitigation projects. These critical services protect public resources, natural resources, and public safety. The fuels reduction projects will help the agency implement Goal 1 of the 20-Year Forest Health Strategic Plan, Eastern Washington, by directly providing scientifically sound, landscape-scale cross-boundary management and restoration treatments in priority watersheds to increase forest and watershed resilience. The treatment projects include non-commercial tree thinning using chain saws, tree pruning, and slash abatement. Slash abatement can be performed using prescribed fire, chipping, or windrowing for mechanical mastication.

During the fire season, the Fuels Crew Lead will be operating as a Wildland Firefighting Engine Lead on a Type 5 brush Engine in the Arcadia District, leading up to 4 Wildland Firefighters, and responsible for responding to wildfire incidents in a safe and efficient manner. This will include operating in NWCG Wildland Fire positions such as Incident Commander, Engine Boss, Heavy Equipment Boss, and more depending on the scale of the incident. 

Required Qualifications: 

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Certified as a NWCG Firefighter Type 1.
• Must annually pass the work capacity test at the arduous level as required by NWCG for qualified positions.
• Basic chainsaw training and experience.
• Experience identifying forest diseases and pathogens.
• Experience properly identifying major conifer species of the Inland Northwest.
• Skills in building/maintaining cooperative relationships.