Forest Fire Lookout

Forest Fire Lookout (2) Two Positions

Fire Management

Department of Natural Resources

Hourly Wage: $15.90/Temporary/Full-Time

Position functions in the Yakama Agency Forestry Branch Fire Pre-Suppression and Suppression Program. Incumbent is responsible for observing, locating, and reporting forest fire and hazardous weather conditions in remote forest areas located on the Yakama Reservation. The position requires a thorough knowledge of entire reservation geography and topography, road system, location of timber sale activities and various facilities such as dumps, mills, isolated residences in the protection area, etc. Work involves constant surveillance of the surrounding forestlands for unusual occurrences and/or emergencies and reports them accordingly to the Fire Dispatcher by radio. Incumbent also reports and records weather data on a daily basis, maintains activity logbooks and the upkeep of the lookout towers. Employee must be reliable and work independently. In addition, employee is subject to adjusted work weeks, irregular hours due to emergencies and working holidays.

Examples of Work Performed:

Incumbent operates standard fire finder to locate smoke, estimate probable distance to smoke, characteristics of the fire and locate the fire on a map with reference to land subdivision and landmarks and report findings by radio to the dispatch office. Continues to monitor fires after reporting and notifies dispatch of any changes.

May be required to record and report daily weather observations such as temperature, moisture, humidity and wind velocity.

Observes and reports cloud build-up, thunderstorms and lightning strikes, charts ground lightning strikes, reports probable fire areas to the dispatch office and the aerial reconnaissance observer or helitack personnel.

Maintain activity record/log book; perform clerical and warehouse duties during periods of low fire danger.

Relays messages between units via two-way radio.

Keeps lookout living quarters and grounds clean and neat at all times.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Ability to see distant objects and distinguish shades of color.

Ability to live alone in a relatively remote area.

Ability to read and understand maps and road systems of the Yakama Reservation.

Ability to communicate clearly by two-way radio.

Ability to perform and communicate during emergency situations.

Ability to understand radio messages and relay messages clearly.

Ability to operate the equipment associated with the work of the class.

Minimum Requirements:

Any experience or education that would demonstrate the ability to perform the work.

Required to pass pre-employment drug test.

Must possess a valid Washington State Driver's License with the ability to obtain a Yakama Nation Driving permit.

Must be able to drive a standard shift vehicle.

Must be able to climb/work in towers 90 feet in height.

Incumbent is required to live at the isolated lookout station during fire season and is eligible for restriction pay for restrictions imposed in off-duty hours during the tour of duty.

Required to take and pass eye examination and in some instances a physical examination.

Enrolled Yakama Preference, but all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.