Wildland Fire Management Lead

Fuels Crew Lead, Wildland Fire Management Lead (WFML)
Full-time, Project, Represented positions (WPEA)
Anticipated Project is October 2026 – March 2029 
Work Hours flexibility may be available and considered
Salary: $3,827.00 – $5,111.00 Monthly

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 10/05/2026. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
The Northeast Region of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is actively seeking four (4) Fuels Crew Leads (Wildland Fire Management Leads) for the Arcadia District. This position will be a second-in-charge role to a Forest Health Engine Captain on the newly created River City Fuels Crew during non-fire season months and will operate as an Engine Leader on a Type 5 Brush engine during the fire season months of the year. The Arcadia District is based out of Deer Park, WA and consists of diverse fuel types that range from agriculture/shrub, steppe/dry ponderosa pine to hemlock/subalpine fir forests.  

The Arcadia District is responsible for forest health, wildfire suppression, prevention education, and regulation on all or parts of four counties (Spokane, Pend Oreille, Stevens and Lincoln), including one hundred thousand acres of state trust land. The Arcadia District conducts suppression actions on approximately 300 fire starts annually, processes approximately 400 burn permit requests, and provides training courses to our local cooperators.  A large part of the Arcadia District is located in the Wildland Urban Interface of the greater Spokane area, where the primary focus on hazardous fuels reduction takes place and the heaviest loading of initial attack wildfire incidents. Interagency cooperation occurs on the majority of fuels project sites, wildland fires, and most training courses. Interagency cooperation includes working with local fire districts, state and federal partners, and is a key function of the position.

Required Qualifications: 
You must meet all the Required Qualifications and Competencies to be considered for this position. There are multiple pathways to meet qualifications, such as education, volunteer work, life skills, and experience.  Please clearly communicate in your Application materials that your skills align with the position and qualifications. 

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• Certified as a NWCG Firefighter Type 1.
• Basic chainsaw training and experience.
• Experience identifying forest diseases and pathogens.
• Experience properly identifying major conifer species of the Inland Northwest.