Fuels Crew Member, Wildland Fire Management Technician (WFMT)

State of Washington; Washington; On-site; USD 40,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent benefits package

Job summary

The State of Washington, through the Northeast Region's Arcadia District, is seeking Fuels Crew Members and Wildland Fire Management Technicians for multi-season work in Deer Park, WA. The roles involve fuels reduction duties plus seasonal firefighter responsibilities on a Type 5 engine.

Positions are full-time project roles with ongoing recruitment. Applicants should be prepared for field work in diverse terrain and year-round duty cycles, including training during non-fire seasons.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• NWCG Red Card Firefighter 2 qualification required.
• Experience in wildfire suppression or fuels reduction preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Fuels Crew Member on a 22-person fuels reduction crew under Forest Health Engine Captain guidance.
• During fire season, operate as a Wildland Firefighter on a Type 5 brush Engine for initial attack.
• Off-season, participate in training, drills, and other duties as assigned; maintain professionalism on and off the fire line.

Skills

High school diploma or GED

NWCG Red Card Firefighter 2

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Fuels Crew Member, Wildland Fire Management Technician (WFMT) - Recruitment #2026-9-P459/P460/P461/P462/P463/P464/P465/P466/P467/P468/P469/P470/P471/P472

Full-time, Project, Represented position (WPEA)

Anticipated Project: October 2026 - March 2029

Location: Northeast Region - Deer Park, WA

Work hour flexibility may be available and considered

Salary: $3,565.00 - $4,746.00 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 14 Fuels Crew Members (Wildland Fire Management Technicians) for the Arcadia District. This position will be a crew member on the newly created River City Fuels Crew during the non-fire season months of the year and a Wildland Firefighter 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 where 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 members will be expected to excel at two separate jobs over the course of the project duration. One of these jobs will be working under the direction of a Forest Health Engine Captain as a Fuels Crew Member on a 22 person fuels reduction crew, completing hazardous fuels reduction on priority project sites around the Arcadia District.

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 chain saws, tree pruning and slash abatement. Slash abatement will be performed using prescribed fire, chipping or windrowing for mechanical mastication.

During the fire season, the Fuels Crew member will be operating as a Wildland Firefighter on a Type 5 brush Engine in the Arcadia District, responsible for conducting wildfire initial attack in a safe and efficient manner. This will include operating in NWCG Wildland Fire positions such as Incident Commander Type 5, Firefighter 1, and more depending on the scale of the incident.

When not on wildfire incidents, these individuals will be training, studying, checking previous incidents, or any other duties as assigned. 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 an emphasis on building a 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

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 materials that your skills align with the position and qualifications.

• A high school diploma or GED equivalent or have the ability to obtain a GED within 12 months of hire.
• Trained to a NWCG 'Red Card' qualification level of Firefighter 2.

Required Competencies

• 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 (90%). 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 may be required for fire suppression response.
• Must annually pass the work capacity test at the arduous level as required by NWCG for qualified positions.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in disposal of slash through a chipper or pile burning, operating and maintaining chainsaws/small engines.
• Able to tow vehicle trailers in both urban and forest settings.
• Qualified as an Incident Commander Type 5 and Fire Fighter Type 1.

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.

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.

Questions

Please contact Daniel Stralser 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 [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

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.

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