Arcadia 20 - Forest Crew Supervisor, Squad Boss

Salary: $4,093.00 - $5,501.00 Monthly

CLOSING DATE EXTENDED! Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment anytime after 4/24/25. 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 in Spokane, WA. We are seeking a highly motivated, dedicated, hardworking team member to fill our Forest Crew Supervisor, Squad Boss position to help lead our 20-person Arcadia Transitional Handcrew. 

This position serves as a leader on a team of 5 permanent DNR employees and 15 Transitional Firefighters. A Transitional Firefighter is an individual who is transitioning from partial-confinement incarceration to being in the community. The Forest Crew Supervisor, Squad Boss role is to help supervise, train, and support the Transitional Firefighters under the guidance of the Crew Foreman and Superintendent. 

This Forest Crew Supervisor, Squad Boss position will support the agency’s mission by providing wildland fire suppression services to, and on behalf of, the public. This critical service protects public resources, natural resources, and public safety. As a Forest Crew Supervisor, Squad Boss on the Arcadia 20 Transitional Handcrew, you will perform pre-suppression and suppression-related activities. You must be willing and capable of performing strenuous outdoor work safely and productively. Top candidates for this position are competent in understanding and following the chain of command and are demonstrably the most responsible citizens in the communities they serve. Working for the Arcadia 20 Transitional Handcrew is extremely rewarding; however, it requires hard work, long hours, and time away from home.

This position will allow candidates the opportunity to collaborate with other fire professionals, including area fire districts, federal and other state partners, giving you exposure to a variety of learning opportunities, agency operations, and the ability to build cohesive relationships across the state of Washington. You will experience a different level of collaboration within the DNR that will offer a lifetime worth of skills for your future career path.Responsibilities:

• Provide direct fireline supervision of the Transitional Handcrew members, which responds to grass, brush, and forest fires and are available for district, region, 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. 
• Directly supervises a squad of Transitional Firefighters.
• Plans and implements training for crew members.
• Prescribed Fire Support – Leads crew to conduct site fuels and fire effects data collection, unit preparation, assists 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 long periods.
• Work in extremely rugged terrain.
• Travel for extended periods (for multiple weeks): outside of your home unit to assist on fires within the region, to other regions, and/or states for large fires.
• 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.
• 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. 
• Complete fire reports and other paperwork as assigned on time.

Required Qualifications: 

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Knowledge of wildland fire suppression tactics and fire behavior recognition.
• Certified as a NWCG Firefighter Type 1.
• Must annually pass the work capacity test at the arduous level as required by NWCG.
• 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:

• Work is performed in the office setting (20%) of the time, and in unimproved natural areas of the state (80%). 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 winter time. These duties may involve field work requiring physical performance, calling for above-average endurance and superior conditioning.
• Position requires travel between fires, work centers, proposed work sites, and ongoing supervisory tasks, as well as meetings 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, unrestricted driver’s license and two years of driving experience. 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:

• 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 DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov. 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!Application Requirements: Failure to provide the listed documents may result in disqualification. If you have questions or difficulty attaching these documents, please contact dnrrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.

• 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: 3-5 professional references with current telephone numbers, to include your 2 most recent supervisors. You may attach a document, use the References text field in the online application, or include it with your resume.
• 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 info@governmentjobs.com 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 Ben Hood at Ben.Hood@dnr.wa.gov / (509) 563-9137 or email us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.

Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 522-2500 or email DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov. 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 (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, 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 the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

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 CareersHelp@des.wa.gov.

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Salary : $49,116 - $66,012