2026 NORTHEAST REGION Initial Attack 20-Person Handcrews

Full Job Description

Salary: $3,642.00 - $4,074.00 Monthly

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

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
The fire season is quickly approaching! The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking hardworking, dedicated, responsible, and reliable team members to join our Northeast Region hand crews as Wildland Firefighters. As a member of one of our Wildland Fire Hand Crews, you will perform pre-suppression and suppression-related activities.

Firefighting is hard work and requires long hours and time away from home. You must be willing and capable of performing strenuous outdoor work safely and productively. Working for the DNR as a Wildland Firefighter is extremely rewarding. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other fire professionals, including area fire districts, and federal and other state partners, giving you exposure to various learning opportunities, agency operations, and the ability to build cohesive relationships across Washington State. You will experience a different level of collaboration within the DNR, offering a lifetime worth of skills for your future career path. The experience and training gained can form the foundation for a successful career in forestry and other natural resource professions.

The duration of these positions is generally 3-6 months, with work beginning as early as May and ending in late September (note: the season has the potential to begin as early as April and run as late as October). Upon hire, basic wildland fire training is provided. This training will usually take place at the agency's fire academy. The academy provides meals and lodging for all participants and has a duration of 7-14 days.

Requirements

What to Expect as a DNR Handcrew:

• 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, and maintain assigned equipment and vehicles for fire readiness.
• Safely respond to wildland fires to suppress and prevent them from spreading.
• Perform entry-level wildland fire duties, including hand-line construction, water handling, general suppression, and prevention activities or training.
• When not engaged in wildland fire preparedness and suppression, Wildland Firefighters will perform tasks such as thinning and pruning trees for watersheds, protecting wildlife, and maintaining recreation sites, buildings, grounds, roads, and equipment.

Many of the duties performed on these jobs require considerable physical exertion; working outdoors in all terrain and weather conditions, working long hours, and extended periods away from home.

Duties include, but may not be limited to, the ability to carry up to 60 pounds, run, bend, twist, walk, and/or climb.

Our 20-person Hand Crews are considered a regional resource and will be expected to travel frequently and for extended periods during fire season. When the crew is not engaged in fires within the region, they can be sent on fire assignments out of region/out of state and are also available for prescribed burning and other projects throughout the region.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
• Must be 18 years of age or older by your available hire date.
• Must provide Certificates of Course Completion for IS-700 and ICS-100 before or on the day of the scheduled Work Capacity Test. If you have previously taken and received credit by DNR for these courses, you are NOT required to retake or resubmit the certificates of completion.
• Must pass the DNR work capacity test or "Pack Test" during the selection process and before starting work. The "Pack Test" is a work capacity test that measures aerobic capacity, muscular strength, and muscular endurance (45lbs vest, 3 miles within 45 minutes).
• Firefighters require the competencies related to being able to effectively communicate with supervisors and work with and lead subordinates in wildland fire organizations.
• Ability to act promptly, use good judgment in day-to-day interactions and emergencies, and deal tactfully with the public and interagency partners.
• DNR Core Competencies:
  • Personal Accountability
  • Value Others
  • Compassionate Communication
  • Inspire Others
  • Commitment to Excellence
Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment:
• Duties involve field work in hazardous environments on fires, requiring physical performance calling for above-average endurance and superior conditioning. Ability to carry up to 60 lbs., run, bend, twist, walk, and/or climb while working outdoors in all terrain and weather conditions.
• A typical workday is an 8-hour day, five days a week. Positions require response during off-duty hours for emergency fire suppression needs. Positions required to work long, irregular hours on workdays, weekends, day or night when performing suppression duties.
• Requires a large majority of time in the field, traveling between fire assignments and fire training. The position requires frequent overnight travel and extended work assignments, generally 14 days in length with infrequent travel of 21 days.

Field duties require the use of hand tools, power tools, GPS, topographic maps, a compass, and an iPad.

Must be able to carry appropriate wildland fire tools on field assignments, as needed, to conduct assigned tasks.

Day-to-day responsibilities require the ability to safely operate pickup trucks and Type 5 Wildland Fire Engines.

• Successful certification at the minimum level of Firefighter Type 2 is required after the annual work capacity test and firefighter courses are completed for the fire year.
Desired Qualifications
• A valid, unrestricted driver’s license and two years of driving experience.
• NWCG Qualification of Firefighter Type 1.
• U.S. Passport.

Additional Information

Application Requirements:
• Apply online: at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above).
• 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 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.

Before reporting to the Pack Test, you will be required to turn in a completed Waiver and Release Form and a completed Health Screening Questionnaire (HSQ). Applicants are strongly encouraged to train for the arduous-level work capacity test. However, before you begin to train for testing or before substantially increasing your level of activity, please review the health screening questionnaire (HSQ) and consult your health care provider if necessary. You may contact DNR Recruiting at DNRRecruiting@dnr.wa.gov for a copy of the HSQ.

Work Locations:
The Northeast Region maintains two 20-person hand crews.
Highlands 20-Person Hand Crew: The Highlands 20 Handcrew is located out of Loomis, WA, and is part of the West Zone of the Northeast Region, which serves Okanogan and Ferry Counties. The West Zone, on average, has 100-120 fire starts per year. It is a dynamic area that contains a wide variety of terrain and fuel types, from fast-moving grass and sage fires to remote timber fires. There are many outdoor recreational activities and areas available for crew members, including Loomis State Forest and the Pasayten Wilderness area. There is housing available for handcrew members, including separate living quarters, laundry facilities, and a kitchen.

Questions contact: Seth Schertenleib at seth.schertenleib@dnr.wa.gov

North Columbia 20-Person Hand Crew: The North Columbia 20 Handcrew is located out of Colville, WA, and is part of the East Zone of the Northeast Region, which serves areas such as Colville, Hunters, Kettle Falls, Chewelah, and the greater Spokane area. The East Zone is the most active zone in the state for fire response, averaging 400-450 fire starts per year. It is a dynamic area that contains a wide variety of terrain and fuel types, from fast-moving urban interface fires to remote timber fires. Colville offers a lot of services, amenities, and outdoor recreation opportunities with a small-town feel. There is housing available for handcrew members, including separate living quarters, laundry facilities, and a kitchen.

Questions contact: Dylan Chester at dylan.chester@dnr.wa.gov

For more specific information about DNR Uplands Regions and how to contact those regions, please visit http://www.dnr.wa.gov/about/dnr-regions-and-districts

About the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Our mission is to manage, sustain, and protect the health and productivity of Washington’s lands and waters to meet the needs economically and socially for current and future generations. 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. With nearly 1,500 employees in locations throughout Washington, we manage and protect more than 5 million acres of state-owned forest, range, commercial, agricultural, and aquatic lands.
Additional Information:
Questions? Email us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.

Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative form 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.
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 of 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 NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email CareersHelp@des.wa.gov.