Job Description

Description
North Columbia Handcrew Foreman, Wildland Fire Management Supervisor (WFMSup)
Recruitment #2025-10-7726
Full-time, Permanent, Represented position (WFSE)
Location: Northeast Region - Chewelah, WA
Salary: $4,119.00 - $5,531.00 Monthly
Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 10/30/25. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.
Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our Northeast Region as a Handcrew Foreman (Wildland Fire Management Supervisor), to help supervise the North Columbia 20 Person Initial Attack Handcrew.
This position represents the Department and the Region when interacting with other Federal/Local/State agencies and must maintain a solid working relationship with these cooperating agencies. Additionally, this position must interact and coordinate with the Region support and business staff. This collaboration occurs on a daily, ongoing basis and is an essential function of the position.
In addition to suppression work, the hand crew supports DNR's Forest Resiliency and Community Resiliency Programs in the form of fuel reduction projects and other projects as assigned. This position helps meet wildland fire suppression needs and associated activities supporting suppression efforts during the active fire season.
Duties
Responsibilities:

• Provide direct fireline supervision of the squad bosses and hand crew members, who respond to grass, brush, and forest fires and are available for district, regional, statewide, and/or interagency dispatch.
• Provides interagency fire suppression activities for initial attack, extended attack, mop-up, patrol, and rehabilitation. On initial attack fires, may perform ICS functions as Incident Commander Type 4 and 5 or other duties as needed.
• Plans and implements training for seasonal crew members and may be asked to instruct/participate in DNR Fire Academies.
• Prescribed Fire Support - Leads crew to conduct site fuels and fire effects data collection, unit preparation, assist with burn plan writing, community outreach, and Rx burn implementation support to include firing, holding, burn boss, etc.
• Work in remote areas, away from vehicles, for extended periods of time.
• Work in extremely rugged terrain.
• Travel for extended periods of time (for multiple weeks): outside of your home unit to assist on fires within the region, to other regions and/or states for large fires.
• Provides recommendations and assistance during the seasonal hiring process, including conducting seasonal firefighter interviews and onboarding.
• Build strong team cohesion within the 20-person crew on a day-to-day basis.
• Prepare for fire duty, maintain assigned equipment and vehicles for fire readiness.
• Ensure all required reports are complete and submitted by the required dates.
• Community Resilience - Leads crew to conduct home ignition zone assessments as part of Wildfire Ready Neighbors or independent requests from landowners and/or communities. In addition to Home Ignition Zone assessments, crew members may participate in community education days, plan and participate in community outreach and prevention events, and participate with local cooperators on community outreach projects.
• Forest Health Treatment - Leads crew to conduct non-commercial thinning and slash abatement, project layout, and compliance in coordination with State Lands and Landowner Assistance staff. Supports forest health project layout, tree marking, road brushing, and GPS data collection surveys. Assists with timber sales, layout, marking, forest cruising, and road maintenance.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications:

• Experience in wildland fire suppression tactics and fire behavior recognition.
• NWCG Qualified as: Firefighter Type 1 and Incident Commander Type 5.
• Supervisory experience.
• Employee Empowerment.
• Team Effectiveness.
• 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 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 work capacity test at the arduous level as required by NWCG.
• Position assigned duty station is the Northeast Region Headquarters. Work is performed in the office setting 30% of the time, and in unimproved natural areas of the state 70% of the time. Incumbent must be able to traverse uneven terrain in all weather conditions. The outside environment varies from hot, dry, heat-related illness-type conditions in summer to cold, wet, hypothermic-type conditions closer to wintertime. These duties may involve field work requiring physical performance, calling for above-average endurance and superior conditioning. These duties may include an occasional demand for extraordinary strenuous activities in emergencies under adverse environmental conditions and over extended periods of time.
• Position requires a large amount of travel (50%). This includes travel alone between fires, work centers, proposed work sites, and ongoing supervisory tasks, as well as meeting with partners and cooperators. This includes driving in snowy, icy conditions with poor to little visibility, to driving in conditions while surrounded by smoke and fire. This position requires both night and overnight travel as well as occasional extended travel.
• A 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 in Fire Science, Natural Resource, or related field; or some higher education that required coursework in Fire Sciences and/or Silviculture.
• Certified as a NWCG qualification level of Single Resource Boss-Crew Boss, or higher.
• Certified as a NWCG Incident Commander Type 4 or higher.
• 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.

Don't let doubts stop you from applying for this position. If you have any questions about the required qualifications or how your experience relates to them, please contact us at . A note to potential candidates: Studies have shown that women, trans, non-binary, Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) are less likely to apply for jobs unless they feel they meet every qualification as described in a job description. We value diversity and inclusion in our organization, and we are looking for the best person for the job. Don't hesitate to apply!
Supplemental Information
Application Requirements: Failure to provide the listed documents may result in disqualification. If you have questions or difficulty attaching these documents, please contact .

• Apply online: at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above).
• Letter of interest: describing your specific qualifications for the position and the position required, desired, and special requirements.
• Resume: that details your experience and qualifications.
• References: References are optional at the time your application is submitted. Finalists will be asked to provide a list of at least 3 professional references with current telephone numbers, including your current or most recent supervisor.
• Important: Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (Social Security number, year of birth, etc.).
• Complete all supplemental questions.
• Candidates who move forward in the recruitment process may be contacted via email at

with interview information/scheduling instructions. Please monitor the email listed in your application materials and check your junk email folder to ensure you receive those communications. Questions? Please contact Dylan Chester at /509-563-9116 or email us at .
Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 522-2500 or email . Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.
(DNR).
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,
• 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

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 the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit .
Veterans wishing to claim Veteran's preference, please attach a copy of your DD-214, NGB-22, or other verification of military service. Please black out your Social Security number before attaching it. 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 .
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