Cle Elum- Hand Crew Foreman, Wildland Fire Management Supervisor (WFMSup)

Washington Department of Natural Resources; Washington; On-site; USD 50,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington Department of Natural Resources is seeking a Cle Elum Hand Crew Foreman (WFMSup) to lead a 20-person crew in wildland fire suppression, preparedness, and training. The role supports multiple strategic plans and requires extensive travel within the region.

The ideal candidate has NWCG Incident Commander Type 5 and Firefighter Type 1 certifications, with leadership experience and a Fire Science/Natural Resources degree. Relocation assistance and partial telework may be available.

Qualifications

• Experience in wildland fire suppression tactics and fire behavior recognition.
• Experience supervising or leading wildland firefighting personnel.
• Strong communication and leadership capabilities

Responsibilities

• Supervise a 20-person hand crew and coordinate suppression activities.
• Oversee preparedness, training, and readiness for fire season.
• Lead crew administration, safety, and performance evaluations.
• Support community resilience and fuels management efforts

Skills

Wildland fire tactics

Team leadership

Communication & coordination

Education

Fire Science/Natural Resources degree

Job description

Description

Cle Elum- Hand Crew Foreman, Wildland Fire Management Supervisor (WFMSup)

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. Relocation Compensation may be available and considered.

Salary: $4,201.00 - $5,642.00 Monthly

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 10/18/26. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference? 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.

Duties

Responsibilities:

• 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.

Qualifications

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 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.

Required Competencies:

• 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

Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment:

• 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.

Desired Qualifications:

• 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 [e-mail].

Questions? Please contact Chase Brewer at [e-mail]/509-856-5504 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.

About the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

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, and inclusion.

Our Vision – Our actions ensure a future where Washington’s lands, waters, and communities thrive.

Our Mission – Manage, sustain, and protect the health and productivity of Washington’s lands and waters to meet the needs of present and future generations.

Our Core Values

• 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.

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.

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.

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