Career Seasonal Dispatcher, Wildland Fire Dispatcher 2 (WFD2)

State of Washington; Enumclaw (WA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Washington’s Department of Natural Resources in Enumclaw, WA is hiring a Wildland Fire Dispatcher 2 for a Career Seasonal role from March through November, with potential continuation depending on fire season needs. You will dispatch and track agency resources, support emergency response, and coordinate with incident command and aviation assets in high-stress situations.

The role requires strong communication, attention to detail, and the ability to learn complex procedures and software

Qualifications

• Experience with Microsoft Office and Adobe software.
• Public contact or communications experience (reception, switchboard, or similar).
• Strong verbal and written communication; ability to work under pressure.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and environmental justice practices.

Responsibilities

• Receive and prioritize communications from agency staff, 911 dispatch centers, and the public via telephone and radio transmissions.
• Document, evaluate, and disseminate reports of wildland fire, smoke complaints, accidents, and all-hazard incidents on DNR-protected lands.
• Accurately track and record agency resource status and logistical availability in support of incident response and preparedness.
• In coordination with incident command staff, initiate the response to local incidents in accordance with agency protocols and guidelines.
• Provide vital flight navigation data to aviation assets such as latitude and longitude of an incident, air-air and air-ground radio frequencies, ground contacts, and flight hazards or restrictions.
• Provide flight following and monitor critical navigation data to track aviation assets within the SPS Region while in transit and during incident response.
• Clerical dispatch duties include tracking and documenting resource availability, resource or incident locations, weather forecasting, fire reporting, and incident orders.
• Processes and completes Fire Reports and Burn Permits.

Skills

MS Office

Adobe

Job description

Career Seasonal Dispatcher, Wildland Fire Dispatcher 2 (WFD2)

Recruitment #2026-11-7291 • Full-time, Seasonal, Represented position (WPEA) • Anticipated Career Seasonal employment is March - November • Location: South Puget Sound Region - Enumclaw, WA

Salary: $4,018.00 - $5,366.00 Monthly

Please note: An additional 5% King County duty station pay has been added to the base salary listed on this announcement.

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 11/09/2026. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible. Interviews for this position will tentatively occur in January 2027. This career seasonal position is typically filled from March through November, depending on the timing and duration of fire season and projected agency needs.

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our South Puget Sound Region as a Wildland Fire Dispatcher.

Are you detail-oriented? A confident communicator and active listener? Do you want to gain experience in high-stress situations while supporting emergency work? As a Wildland Fire Dispatcher, you will perform a critical role in emergency management by dispatching and tracking agency resources. You will complete additional tasks, such as fire reporting analysis, logistics, documentation, records management, and other wildfire-related support. This is your opportunity to join a fast-paced, high-functioning team, develop lasting relationships, and contribute to the safety and protection of our region’s residents and natural resources.

To be successful in this role, the selected individual will need to be:

• Service-oriented;
• Calm under pressure;
• Attentive to detail;
• Self-motivated;
• And possess strong verbal and written communication skills.

Additionally, the person serving in this role will be required to learn and implement complex procedures and technical programs utilized in dispatching. They will use their judgment to make daily decisions that align with those procedures and support the overall mission to protect the health of Washington's lands.

Responsibilities:

• Receive and prioritize communications from agency staff, 911 dispatch centers, and the public via telephone and radio transmissions;
• Document, evaluate, and disseminate reports of wildland fire, smoke complaints, accidents, and all-hazard incidents on DNR-protected lands;
• Accurately track and record agency resource status and logistical availability in support of incident response and preparedness;
• In coordination with incident command staff, initiate the response to local incidents in accordance with agency protocols and guidelines;
• Provide vital flight navigation data to aviation assets such as latitude and longitude of an incident, air-air and air-ground radio frequencies, ground contacts, and flight hazards or restrictions;
• Provide flight following and monitor critical navigation data to track aviation assets within the SPS Region while in transit and during incident response;
• Clerical dispatch duties include tracking and documenting resource availability, resource or incident locations, weather forecasting, fire reporting, and incident orders;
• Process fire weather information and distribute daily intelligence reports to region resources;
• Works with the Wildland Fire Management Division and the Northwest Coordination Center to dispatch local resources to state, national, and international wildfire and all-hazard incidents utilizing the Interagency Resource Ordering Capability (IROC) system;
• Processes and completes Fire Reports and Burn Permits;
• Assists in maintaining, updating, and improving reference materials, Mobilization Guides, databases, manuals, and handbooks utilized in streamlining emergency responses.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience in computer programs such as Microsoft Suite and Adobe
• Experience involving public contact or communication such as radio communications, receptionist, switchboard operator, or clerical office work which includes interacting with the public

Required Competencies:

• Must have demonstrated ability to relate to a diverse customer base
• Must be able to type 40 words per minute
• 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
• DNR Core Competencies:
• Personal Accountability
• Value Others
• Compassionate Communication
• Inspire Others
• Commitment to Excellence

Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment:

• Position is located in a communication center. This may be a single agency DNR communication office or an interagency communication center. Work is performed in an office setting. Must be able to pick up and carry appropriate office supplies (up to 25 lbs.) as needed to conduct assigned tasks. Ability to work in a high-volume, fast-paced, fast paced and reactive environment.

Desired Qualifications:

• National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) qualified as an Initial Attack Dispatcher Trainee (IADP-T), or Expanded Dispatch Support Dispatcher Trainee (EDSD-T)
• Two seasons as a Wildland Fire Dispatcher 2
• Wildland fire suppression experience

At DNR, we value diversity and inclusion and are committed to hiring the best candidate for the job. Don’t let doubts stop you from applying for this position. If you have any questions about the qualifications, please email us at [e-mail].

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Natural Resources 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 with disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

DNR provides excellent benefits, a few of which include:

• 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, visit here to learn more
• 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
• A comprehensive benefits package includes employer contributions toward health insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans, sick leave, and vacation days. Visit http://careers.wa.gov/benefits.html for more information.

Additional Information:

This recruitment may be extended and used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty (60) days.

DNR does not use E-Verify; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM-Optional Practice Training (OPT). For information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Veterans wishing to claim Veteran’s preference, please attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or a USDVA signed verification of service letter. Please black out all PII (personally identifiable information) data, such as Social Security numbers. We thank you and are grateful for your service!

Once you submit your online application, you can check your status by logging into your account. If you experience technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, call 360-664-1960 or 1-877-664-1960 or email [e-mail].

Questions?

Please contact Daniel Eide at [e-mail] / [phone], Daniel Behrens at [e-mail] / [phone] or email us at [e-mail].

Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call [phone] or email [e-mail]. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.