Burn Team Leader - Natural Resource Specialist 3 (In-Training) - 2 Openings - Permanent - *01604-24

TWO (2) POSITIONS

FULL-TIME/PERMANENT

BURN TEAM LEADER

NATURAL RESOURCE SPECIALIST 3 (IN-TRAINING)

Prescribed Fire Program

• Eastern Washington

Duty station locations:

One (1) position located in Okanogan, Washington

• Okanogan County

One (1) position located in Yakima, Washington

• Yakima County

Please note: This recruitment is posted until May 21, 2024, with a first review of applications to take place on April 22, 2024.  Application review will be ongoing, and therefore, we encourage you to submit your application materials as soon as possible.  This recruitment may be closed at any time.

Are you experienced in assessing, planning, coordinating and implementing, and monitoring forest health related activities?

Work across Washington to restore and sustain ecological functions of Washington's forested landscapes.  These positions will serve as supervisors within the Prescribed Fire program.

We are recruiting to hire at the Natural Resource Specialist 2 or 3 level, and we will train a Natural Resource Specialist 2 up to the Natural Resource Specialist 3 level.

Depending on which level you are hired at, your monthly salary range will be as follows:

Natural Resource Specialist 2 - $4,174.00 - $5,615.00

Natural Resource Specialist 3 - $4,723.00 - $6,349.00

Sinlahekin Wildlife Area prescribed burns

• Photo Credit: WDFW

In this dynamic role, you will increase fuels and fire effects monitoring to determine treatment effectiveness and to drive science-based landscape management decisions.

With your experience, you will conduct burns regularly across WDFW jurisdiction and other cooperating ownership boundaries.

You thrive on building collaboration and teamwork, working with local communities and other agencies to manage their surrounding landscapes by supporting and providing experience, planning, state guidelines, training, and resources when possible.

Here are some things you will be doing in this role,

Supervision:

• Provides technical and administrative supervision to develop, maintain and lead a fully integrated and functionally coordinated team of professional members, supervision of four Wildfire Operations Technician 2 levels to accomplish overall ecological fire management.

• Completes administrative work such as time documentation, hiring paperwork, agency training, purchasing of equipment and necessary items for the crew, and other miscellaneous paperwork to keep the crew fully functioning.

• Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, sets, and adjusts priorities. Assigns work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments, and the capabilities of the employees.

• Develops performance standards and evaluates work performance of subordinates. Gives advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters.

Equipment Operation and Maintenance:

• Ability to operate various types of equipment such as 4-wheel drive vehicles, type 6 fire engine, various equipment trailers, backhoe operations, all-terrain vehicles (UTV & ATV), chainsaws and hand tools in a safe and efficient manner.

• Ability to provide basic equipment maintenance and training to subordinates, such as troubleshooting pumps, tool maintenance and maintain them in a fire ready condition.

• Ability to organize and track inventories of fire line equipment so there is accountability of equipment and costs.

Training and Preparedness:

• Being a Fully qualified NWCG Instructor for 200 Level classes.

• Performs as Course Coordinator or as Unit instructor for any NWCG S-200 level course.

• Helps develop training plans with the assistance from fire staff. Develops the training plan for all WFOPT2 crew members and other DFW staff.

• Develops and coordinate RT-130 Fire Refresher and develops the course material for the Prescribed Fire Program Orientation.

Administrative:

• Develop and maintain records of Rx burns, Wildfire Suppression, personnel participation, costs of preparing for and implementing Rx burns, Develop and maintain equipment inventory, Equipment acquisition and repair.

• Maintain budget tracking logs and work with Finance for assistance when applicable. Assist in developing IQS fire training record storage and retrieval system for WDFW.

• Maintain pertinent employee tracking records and the completions of position task books for certification.

Fire Effects Monitoring and Burn Site planning:

• Under the supervision of the Fire Unit Manager and in collaboration with agency foresters, wildlife biologists, and WLA Managers, help develop and implement fire effects monitoring and inventory needs of the agency.

• Assists the Unit Manager in planning and layout of the prescribed burn site locations and effectiveness to meet overall WDFW goals and objectives.

Other Duties as Assigned:

• Be mentally and physically ready for wildland fire suppression activities or assignments as needed.

• Assist other programs/ wildlife areas to improve wildlife habitat and land management objectives.

• During non-fire periods, collaborates with agency foresters, wildlife biologists, and WLA Managers to conduct miscellaneous duties such as forest thinning, fence repair/ construction, weed abatement, hazard tree removal, etc.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:

• This position will require work in an office environment as well as working in the field on uneven terrain carrying a typical fire field pack and possibly tools in all types of weather and often smoky conditions.

• Walk, bend, stoop, while at times carrying up to 50 lbs; Load and transport equipment and gear.

• Hazards include fuel, flares, gas, diesel (drip torch mix).

• Schedule:

• Regular schedule is full time, 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week. Work will exceed 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week during prescribed the burning season. Work hours will remain flexible to enhance functionality and productivity to ensure program goals are achieved. Weekend and Holiday work may be required.

• Travel Requirements:

• Frequent traveling to conduct planning and implementation of fuels projects, especially prescribed burning will be required.

• Tools and Equipment:

• Normal office equipment will be used. For planning purposes GPS units and GIS will be used. During burning projects all firefighting tools and equipment will be used including hand tools, pumps and water handling equipment, engines, and chainsaws.

• Customer Interactions:

• Interaction with other agencies, the public will occur regularly to explain fire control work. This position will require communications and interaction with the public, DFW employees, subordinates, contractors, and interagency cooperators.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

This series provides mentoring and career development opportunities for candidates with limited experience.

Candidates will be hired as a Natural Resource Specialist 2 or Natural Resource Specialist 3, dependent on skills and experience.

To qualify at the Natural Resource Specialist 2 level:

• Two (2) years of professional experience in forest management, fire management, or other natural resource specialties such as natural resource engineering or land management.

And

• Two (2) or more years of Squad Boss experience.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Certified and current under National Wildfire Coordinating Group specifications and standards Qualified as Incident Commander 5 (IC5), Engine Boss (ENGB), Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1).

• Must be able to pass the Arduous Work Capacity Test.

To qualify at the Natural Resource Specialist 3 level (goal class): 

• A Bachelor's degree involving major study in forestry, agriculture, geology, fire management or a related natural science field and two (2) years of experience in a natural resource program area.

Or

• An Associate's degree involving major study in forestry, agriculture, geology, fire management or a related natural science field and four (4) years of experience in a natural resource program area.

Or

• Six (6) years of professional experience in forest management, fire management, or other natural resource specialties such as natural resource engineering or land management.

Experience:

• One year of supervisory experience (this can be included within the total years required above).

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Certified and current under National Wildfire Coordinating Group specifications and standards Qualified as Firing Boss trainee (FIRB(t)), Incident Commander 5 (IC5), Engine Boss (ENGB), Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1).

• Must be able to pass the Arduous Work Capacity Test.

FOR ALL OF THE ABOVE:

License:

• Valid driver's license.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Familiarity and experience in fire ecology: fire behavior, fire effects and by-products and their ecosystem actions; fire weather; fuel types; fuel conditions; fuels assessment; smoke management; NWCG standards.

• Knowledge of tools and techniques used to prepare for and implement Rx burns.

• Working knowledge of management and supervision of fire line hand crews and/or prescribed fire hand crews.

• Ability to effectively work with multiple individuals from multiple organizations towards a common goal.

• Effective communicator both orally and in writing.

• Write clear and concise reports.

• Develop and present information so that individuals and/or audiences who are not familiar with fire ecology, fire management and/or prescribed burning clearly understand content.

• Team building skills: Leads and promotes cooperation and commitment within a team to achieve goals and deliverables.

• People skills: communicates well with others while assigning tasks, instructions, and expectations. Deals with difficult personnel interactions with sensitivity, fairness, and resolve.

• Communications: Clear oral and written instructions, listening, incorporating, and learning from what supervisors and others have said. Also, when unclear or in doubt regarding direction asks appropriate questions for clarification.

• Safety focus: Adhere to all workplace and safety standards for fire management operations.

• Use of fire management tools and fuel inventory tools.

• Equipment operation (ATV, UTV, 4-wheel drive vehicles, brush fire engine, water pumps).

• Use of water handling equipment.

• Ability to effectively work with multiple individuals from multiple organizations towards a common goal.

• Takes personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work and makes the best use of available time and resources.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following: 

• A Bachelor's Degree in Natural Resource Science and 3 years prescribed burning experience.

• Training in portable pumps and water use (S-211).

• Training in intermediate fire behavior (S-290).

• Training in Firing Operations (S-219).

• Career oriented toward fire ecology/science and learning to use fire to achieve resource management objectives.

• First-aid/CPR certification or similar certification such as first responder.

• Training in Facilitative Instructor (M-410).

• Experience using specialized prescribed fire programs.

• Experience planning, coordinating, and implementing multi-organization fire projects to provide cross-training contemporaneously with fire restoration to fire dependent wildlife habitat.

• Training in ecological monitoring of fire, fire effects and fire by-products.

• Familiar with and/or training in fuels and fire management software.

• Familiar with and experience in fire weather.

Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.

Experience and education selected, listed, and detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable/listed on your application.

In order to successfully apply for this position, you MUST complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov and attach the following to your profile before completing the online application:

• A completed online application that shows your experience as it relates to this position.

• A cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (a generic cover letter will not be accepted).

• A current resume.

• Three professional references.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link:  https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

JOIN THE WDFW TEAM:

Learn about our agency and the perks of working for WDFW!

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has some of the most talented people in the natural resource field.  We celebrate and value diversity, appreciating that a workforce composed of those from different backgrounds and experiences creates an inclusive environment, strengthens positive relationships with the local community, and brings new perspectives and approaches to fulfilling the agency's mission. We value demonstrated skill in living WDFW values of Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).

WDFW employees may be eligible for the following:

Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth.

UNION - WAFWP:

This position is in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

VETERAN PREFERENCE NOTICE:

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Email a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter to Cheri.Weld@dfw.wa.gov.

• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and Vet (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 - Veteran)

• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE NOTICE:

To take advantage of military spouse preference, please do the following:

• Notify us of your military spouse status by email at Cheri.Weld@dfw.wa.gov.

• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and MS (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 - MS)

• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Note: Please blackout any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.

As part of WDFW's efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications.  Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully.  All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife 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 of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email JaymeChase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.

cw

Follow us on social media:

LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram