Fire Management Officer

Salary: $4,299.00 - $6,384.00 Monthly

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 4/16/26. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our Southeast Region as a Fire Management Officer - Wildland Fire Management Unit Manager/Wildland Fire Management Specialist  In-Training. This position supports the agency’s mission by providing wildland fire management services to, and on behalf of, the public.

Responsibilities:

Coordinate Yakima Fire Unit Fire Protection and Suppression Program
Protects human life and natural resources on department-protected lands while minimizing resource loss and fire costs as outlined in RCW 76.04.015,016. In an effort to reduce unwanted acres burned, it places a high level of readiness and preparedness on safely and effectively attacking and rapidly suppressing new fire starts in the Yakima Fire Unit.

Preparedness
Coordinates the unit’s pre-suppression availability agreements, such as personnel and Dozer/Feller agreements with private contractors and WFD. Coordinates Forest Land Response Agreements (FLRA) with rural fire district partners for suppression availability. Implements interagency fire suppression agreements (IAA) for wildfire suppression on non-forested lands.

Supervision
Supervises 3 Wildland Fire Management Specialists (2 AFMOs & 1 HC Superintendent) and is indirectly responsible for the supervision of 2 Wildland Fire Management Supervisors, 4 Wildland Fire Management Leads, 1 Wildland Fire Heavy Equipment Operator, and up to 4 Engine Leaders, as well as up to 29 Seasonal Fire Fighters in daily activities including training, pre-suppression, suppression, and fire regulation enforcement. 

Building and Maintaining Cooperating Agency Partnerships
Sharing communications and information is critical to maintaining positive relationships with our partners. Regularly attends Fire Chief meetings, Co-op Groups, conference calls, and other agency meetings to maintain the highest level of interagency relationships.

Take the lead role in delivering the Region’s Fire Regulation & Prevention Programs in the Yakima Fire Unit
Ensure the silvicultural burning program (RCW 76.04.205) (WAC 332-24-201,205,211,221) is implemented in a fashion that establishes consistency with the Smoke Management Plan in the Yakima Fire Unit. Take the lead on delivering and implementing the Region’s Prevention Plan within the unit.  Lead staff to actively engage with the public and landowners to deliver the Region’s Regulation and Prevention message.  Effectively reduce unwanted and untimely ignitions of wildland fires through effective public education.

Assist Community Resilience Staff with planning and project implementation across the Yakima Fire Unit
Ensure Fire Operations Staff are actively participating and supporting the Community Resilience Program in the Yakima Fire Unit, including public outreach, recommending fuels mitigation actions, and assisting with project layout.  Ensure staff are participating in home ignition zone assessments as part of Wildfire Ready Neighbors.  Plan and participate in community outreach and prevention events.  Participates in the CWPP planning process. 

Required Qualifications: 

Wildland Fire Management Specialist In-Training:

• Certified as a NWCG Single Resource Boss and Incident Commander Type 5.
• Supervisory Experience.
• Experience in leases and contract negotiations.

Required Qualifications: 

Wildland Fire Management Unit Manager (WFMUM):

• Eight seasons of wildland fire suppression experience.
• Minimum qualification at Task Force Leader / Strike Team Leader and Incident Commander Type 4 or higher.
• Four years of supervisory experience.
• Experience in leases and contract negotiations.

Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment:

• Field and Office: Position’s assigned duty station is the Naches work center. Work is split between an in-office setting and alone in isolated, unimproved natural areas within the unit. Incumbent must be able to traverse uneven terrain in all weather conditions.
• Position requires moderate travel to the field for project work, fires, or supervision, attending meetings, or various trainings. Frequent overnight travel is required for trainings, meetings, and fire assignments.
• Must possess at minimum, current Task Force Leader / Strike Team Leader and Incident Commander Type 4 National Wildfire Coordinating Group qualification.
• Must pass work capacity test at the arduous level required by current red card qualifications.
• 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 degree or an associate degree with two years of experience in Fire Science, Natural Resource Management, or a closely related field.
• Division Group Supervisor and Incident Commander Type 3 (or higher) National Wildfire Coordinating Group qualifications.
• Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2).
• Experience in other sections of the Incident Command System, in addition to Operations.
• Commitment to continual learning and adaptation to technology advances.
• Skills in evaluating others’ abilities and assessing training needs.
• Facilitative skills to work with groups of people to solve issues.