Fuels Crew Lead, Wildland Fire Management Lead (WFML)

State of Washington; Washington; On-site; USD 46,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

The Arcadia District of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources seeks a Fuels Crew Lead to manage wildland fuels reduction crews and serve as a Wildland Fire Management Lead. You will work on a River City Fuels crew and act as Engine Leader for prescribed-fire and suppression tasks.

The role includes field supervision, crew safety oversight, and coordination with agency partners for effective fuels management and fire response in the Arcadia District.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Certification NWCG Firefighter Type 1 required.
• Basic chainsaw training and experience.
• Experience identifying forest diseases and pathogens.
• Experience identifying major Inland Northwest conifer species.

Responsibilities

• Operate as Engine Lead on a Type 5 brush Engine during fire season.
• Lead up to 4 Wildland Firefighters and coordinate daily schedules.
• Assist with purchasing, public education, and other duties as assigned.
• Represent the District professionally and work with agency partners.

Skills

Chainsaw operation

Forest health knowledge

Interagency cooperation

Education

High School Diploma or GED

NWCG Firefighter Type 1

Job description

Fuels Crew Lead, Wildland Fire Management Lead (WFML)

Full-time, Project, Represented positions (WPEA)

Anticipated Project is October 2026 - March 2029

Location: Northeast Region - Deer Park, WA

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.

Responsibilities:

The Fuels Crew Lead will be expected to excel at two separate jobs over the course of the project duration. One will be working under the direction of a Forest Health Engine Captain on the River City Fuels reduction crew, assessing and monitoring the safety of fellow crew members while also comparing crew production output to project deadlines. This position will be making recommendations on fuels reduction strategies and then coordinating the completion of the prescriptions. Although not a direct supervisor in this role, individuals selected will be provided with additional responsibility such as purchasing, public education, and other duties as assigned. The Fuels Crew Lead will be operating alongside agency partners and working to represent the District professionally.

The fuels reduction crew will be implementing wildland hazardous fuels mitigation projects. These critical services protect public resources, natural resources, and public safety. The fuels reduction projects will help the agency implement Goal 1 of the 20-Year Forest Health Strategic Plan, Eastern Washington, by directly providing scientifically sound, landscape-scale cross-boundary management and restoration treatments in priority watersheds to increase forest and watershed resilience. The treatment projects include non-commercial tree thinning using chainsaws, tree pruning and slash abatement. Slash abatement can be performed using prescribed fire, chipping or windrowing for mechanical mastication.

During the fire season, the Fuels Crew Lead will be operating as a Wildland Firefighting Engine Lead on a Type 5 brush Engine in the Arcadia District, leading up to 4 Wildland Firefighters, and responsible for responding to wildfire incidents in a safe and efficient manner. This will include operating in NWCG Wildland Fire positions such as Incident Commander, Engine Boss, Heavy Equipment Boss, and more depending on the scale of the incident.

When not on wildfire incidents, Engine Leaders are responsible for creating daily schedules for the Engine, which may include training, studying, or checking previous incidents. The Engine will be expected to be competent and professional while on and off the fire line.

The Arcadia District is a fast-paced and complex work environment that places a focus on building culture that requires an individual who will work within the team goals and dynamics to be successful. The individuals selected for these positions would be employed year-round, completing fuels reduction work in the winters and engaged in fire suppression in the summers.

Required 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.

Required Competencies:

• Skills in building/maintaining cooperative relationships.
• 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:

• This is a field position (85%). 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.
• Daily travel from a rendezvous location to the work site is required. Additional travel is required for fire suppression response.
• 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.
• Must annually pass the work capacity test at the arduous level as required by NWCG for qualified positions.
• Attend and pass the DNR Trailer Towing Safety Course.

Desired Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources, Fire Science, or related field; or some higher education that required coursework in Silviculture or Fire Sciences.
• Certified as a NWCG qualification level of Single Resource Engine Boss, equivalent, or higher.
• Experience working on a fuel’s reduction crew, including disposing of slash through a chipper or pile burning.
• Knowledge of employment rules and regulations as they apply to permanent, seasonal career and seasonal DNR employees.
• Skills in evaluating others’ abilities and assessing training needs.

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 Daniel Strasler at [e-mail] / [phone], Daryl Schie 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 360-522-2500 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

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.

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 [e-mail].

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