Forest Health Engine Captain, Wildland Fire Management Supervisor (WFMSup)

State of Washington; Pasco (WA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Professional development opportunities

Educational and career development aid

Work/life balance

Job summary

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources seeks two Forest Health Engine Captains (Wildland Fire Management Supervisors) in the Northeast Region based in Deer Park, WA. The roles run October 2026 through March 2029 as project positions with field leadership for a fuels reduction crew and wildfire response.

Responsibilities include supervising a 22-person crew, acting as Engine Captain on Type 5 engines, coordinating training, and supporting wildfire home defense and prescribed fire

Qualifications

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• NWCG qualifications: Single Resource Boss (any) and Incident Commander Type 5.
• Supervisory experience in wildfire operations.
• Experience with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher and GPS.
• Silvicultural techniques to improve forest health.
• Fire Effects and Fire Fuel Reduction, Smoke Management, Fire Prevention, Fire Suppression.

Responsibilities

• Supervise River City Fuels Crew (22 personnel) and up to 4 Wildland Fire Management Technicians.
• Operate as Engine Captain on a Type 5 brush engine and supervise up to 4 firefighters; respond to incidents.
• Create daily schedules, training sessions, and reviews of incidents.
• Support Wildfire Ready Neighbor program and wildfire home defense.
• Ensure safety and adherence to prescriptions and guidance from forester/project manager.

Skills

Single Resource Boss (any)

Incident Commander Type 5

Supervisory experience

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Education

High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent

Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science or related field

Tools

GPS

Publisher

MS Word

MS Excel

Job description

Forest Health Engine Captain, Wildland Fire Management Supervisor (WFMSup)

Full-time, Project, Represented position (WPEA). Anticipated Project employment is October 2026 - March 2029. Location: Northeast Region- Deer Park, WA. Salary: $4,201.00 - $5,642.00 Monthly. Work Hours flexibility may be available and considered.

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 10/5/26. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

The Northeast Region of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is actively seeking two (2) Forest Health Engine Captains (Wildland Fire Management Supervisors) to support the goals and mission statement of the Department.

Responsibilities

• The Forest Health Engine Captains will be expected to excel at two separate jobs over the course of the project duration, depending on the time of year, and will be under the guidance of a Wildland Fire Management Specialist (Assistant Fire Management Officer).
• Operating as a supervisor for the River City Fuels Crew, a 22-person fuels reduction crew following specific prescriptions to implement forest health plans for priority sites around the District; supervising one Wildland Fire Management Lead and up to four Wildland Fire Management Technicians; responsible for assessing and monitoring the safety of the crew members while also comparing crew production output to project deadlines.
• Making recommendations on fuels reduction strategies and driving the completion of the prescriptions while ensuring guidance of the forester or project manager is being adhered to.
• Operating as a Wildland Firefighting Engine Captain on a Type 5 brush Engine in the Arcadia District during the fire season; supervising up to 4 Wildland Firefighters, responding to wildfire incidents safely and efficiently; operating in NWCG Wildland Fire positions such as Incident Commander, Engine Boss, Heavy Equipment Boss, Wildland Fire Investigator, and more depending on the scale of the incident.
• When not on wildfire incidents, creating daily schedules for the firefighters on the Engine, including training, studying, or reviewing previous incidents; maintaining professional presence on and off the fire line; supporting the Department's Wildfire Ready Neighbor program and serving as a subject matter expert on wildfire home defense and hardening.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• NWCG qualified as:
• Single Resource Boss (any)
• Incident Commander Type 5
• Supervisory experience.
• Experience with computer applications, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and GPS.
• Experience with:
• Fire Effects and Fire Fuel Reduction
• Smoke Management
• Regulatory Education
• Fire Regulatory and Enforcement
• Fire Prevention Programs
• Fire Suppression
• Silvicultural techniques to improve forest health

Required Competencies

• Good writing and verbal communication skills and ability to work with the public, sometimes under stressful conditions.
• Ability to act promptly and use good judgment in emergencies.
• 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

• Must annually pass the arduous level work capacity test.
• This position is a field position (80%). The fire suppression and prescribed fire work is strenuous outdoor work in all weather conditions. Must be able to traverse uneven and mountainous terrain, e.g., very steep terrain; rocky, loose, or muddy ground surfaces; thick vegetation; down/standing trees; wet leaves/grass; varied climates (cold, hot, wet, dry, humid, snow, rain; high altitudes; heights; holes and drop-offs; very rough roads; open bodies of water; isolated/remote sites. Might need to work in close quarters, with limited/disrupted sleep.
• This position will be assigned an agency vehicle. Position requires significant driving and field visits within the assigned area.
• 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

• Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science, Natural Resources, Forestry, or related field OR an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• NWCG Qualifications:
• Incident Commander Type 4
• Strike Team Leader or Task Force Leader
• Wildland Fire Investigator
• Multiple Single Resource Boss qualifications
• Prescribed Fire Burn Boss 2 (RXB2)
• Fire Effects Monitoring (FEMO)
• Firing Boss (FIRB)
• Experience with:
• Prescribed Fire Operations
• Burn Plan Writing
• DNR Burn Permit Regulations
• Silvicultural techniques to improve habitat for fish and wildlife
• Monitoring and/or data collection for fire effects, forest insects and disease, and/or forest health conditions.
• Knowledge of the application: Survey 1-2-3.

Benefits

• 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.

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.

Contact

Questions? Please contact Daniel Stralser at [e-mail]/509-675-2586 or Daryl Schie at [e-mail]/509-680-8093, 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.