Cle Elum- Hand Crew Foreman, Wildland Fire Management Supervisor (WFMSup)
State of Washington
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Job summary
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in the Southeast Region, Cle Elum, WA, seeks a Hand Crew Foreman for a 20-person crew to support wildland fire protection strategies and forest health plans. This is a full-time, permanent, represented position with shift between Ellensburg and Cle Elum.
Responsibilities include suppression, preparedness, crew supervision, fire training, and community resilience work.
Qualifications
- Experience in wildland fire suppression tactics and fire behavior recognition.
- Certified NWCG Incident Commander Type 5 and Firefighter Type 1.
- Experience supervising or leading wildland firefighting personnel.
Responsibilities
- Suppression
- Preparedness
- Supervision and Crew Administration
- Fire Training
- Community Resilience and Fuels Management
- Perform Physical Fitness Training
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Recruitment #2026-9-A017
Full-time, Permanent, Represented position (WPEA)
Location: Southeast Region- Cle Elum, WA
Work Hours and Partial Telework flexibility may be available and considered
Salary: $4,201.00 - $5,642.00 Monthly
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within the Southeast Region.
This position serves as a Hand Crew Foreman for the agency on a 20-person hand crew, providing support for the Wildland Fire Protection Strategy, the Forest Health Strategic Plan for EWA, and the Forest Action Plan for WWA. This position helps meet wildland fire suppression needs and associated activities supporting suppression efforts during the active fire season. Additionally, this position plays a key role in meeting the state’s forest health deliverables in support of the 20-year Forest Health Strategy.
The Kittitas Handcrew works out of the Cle Elum work center. This unit falls within the boundary of Kittitas County, which has a total area of 2,333 square miles. The Kittitas Unit consists of 6 Type-5 fire engine modules; 1 permanent engine lead, 5 seasonal engine leads, and 18 seasonal firefighters. Duty stations are split between Ellensburg and Cle Elum. Our unit holds our interagency cooperation in high regard by embracing the all hands all lands vision. Through this theme, we can protect state and private timber lands, along with the citizens of Washington State. On average, we respond to roughly 60 incidents a year.
- Suppression
- Preparedness
- Supervision and Crew Administration
- Fire Training
- Community Resilience and Fuels Management
- Perform Physical Fitness Training
This position recommends hiring for their assigned Fire Suppression staff to the Appointing Authority up through the chain of command, starting with the Kittitas Crew Superintendent. Additionally, this position assigns work, delegates duties, trains, evaluates performance, sets standards, anticipates and resolves problems, recognizes good performance, promotes career development, takes informal corrective action, and recommends formal disciplinary action. This position requires cooperative interaction with other agencies and departments from both the employee and the employees in their chain of command.
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 material that your skills align with the position and qualifications.
- Experience in wildland fire suppression tactics and fire behavior recognition.
- Certified as a NWCG Incident Commander Type 5 and Firefighter Type 1.
- Experience supervising or leading wildland firefighting personnel.
- Creates a positive work environment where all staff are motivated to do their best.
- Encourages team unity through sharing information or expertise, working together to solve problems, and putting team success first.
- Accustomed to tailoring communication to the needs and preferences of others.
- Maintains an open, approachable manner and treats others fairly and respectfully.
- Preserves others' self-confidence and dignity, showing respect for their opinions.
- Safely performs work at all times. Avoids shortcuts that increase health and safety risks to self or others.
- 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
- Position assigned duty station is the Cle Elum Fire Unit Work Center. Work is performed in the office setting (30%) of the time, and unimproved natural areas of the state (70%). Incumbent must be able to traverse uneven terrain in all weather conditions. The outside environment varies from hot, dry, heat-related illness-type conditions in summer, to cold, wet, hypothermic-type conditions closer to wintertime. These duties may involve field work requiring physical performance calling for above average endurance and superior conditioning.
- Position requires a large amount of travel (50%). This includes travel alone between fires, work centers, proposed work sites, and ongoing supervisory tasks as well as meeting with partners and cooperators. This includes driving in snowy, icy conditions with poor to little visibility, and driving in conditions while surrounded by smoke and fire. This position requires both night and overnight travel.
- Must pass work capacity test annually at the arduous level as required by NWCG.
- A current, valid driver’s license and two years of driving experience. Additionally, DNR requires state drivers to possess a license that is not suspended, revoked, or restricted (for example, Occupational/Restricted Driver Licenses or requiring ignition interlock devices). This position requires driving as an essential function. Finalists and/or interview candidates will be asked to provide a driving record from all states in which they have held a license during the past three years.
- A Bachelor's or Associate's Degree in Fire Science, Natural Resource, or related field; or some higher education that required coursework in Fire Sciences and/or Silviculture.
- Certified as a NWCG qualification level of Single Resource Boss-Crew Boss, or higher.
- Certified as an NWCG Incident Commander Type 4 or higher;
- Experience in forest fire protection regulatory programs, and knowledge of general forest management.
- Knowledge of employment rules and regulations as they apply to permanent, seasonal career and seasonal employees.
- Experience with computer applications such as Microsoft Office Suite, Word, and PowerPoint.
- Experience writing burning permits for large forest industry landowners.
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 DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.
Please contact Chase Brewer at chase.brewer@dnr.wa.gov / 509-856-5504 or email us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.
At DNR, we approach our work through the lens of making Washington a better place environmentally and are dedicated to serving Washington’s lands and communities through diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice.
Our actions ensure a future where Washington’s lands, waters, and communities thrive.
Manage, sustain, and protect the health and productivity of Washington’s lands and waters to meet the needs of present and future generations.
- Safety and Well-Being —Our top priority is the safety of the public and our employees.
- Public Service —We value and respect the public we serve, and we value and respect the people of the Department of Natural Resources who step up to serve.
- Innovation and Creative Problem-Solving — We solve our state’s most pressing challenges through innovative thinking, dedication, and bold and creative vision.
- Leadership and Teamwork —We are committed to building leaders at all levels and building teams for success.
- 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.
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!
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.
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 CareersHelp@des.wa.gov.
Check us out on: DNR’s website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | WordPress
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information. Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 01-07-2026
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