2026 NORTHEAST REGION SUMMER WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER ENGINE LEADER

Full Job Description

Salary: $4,185.00 - $4,778.00 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 searching for hardworking, dedicated, responsible, and reliable team members to join our Wildland Fire Engine Crews as Engine Leaders here in the Northeast Region. As an Engine Leader, you will help lead our engine crews in performing 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 while leading a team of 3-4 engine crew members. Working for the DNR as an Engine Leader is extremely rewarding. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other fire professionals, including area fire districts, 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. This opportunity and the 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, 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 Engine Leader:

The Engine Leader performs a leadership role within a crew. Candidates are required to have 3 months of previous natural resource work experience.

Engine Leader duties may include:Supervising and/or leading crews on the fire line, fire suppression and prevention, operating and maintaining small motorized equipment, and operating light or heavy trucks (e.g., 1-ton 4x4, 400 gal., 3-4 person fire engine).

Marking and measuring timber, cutting brush on survey lines, leading small crews to maintain roads and recreation facilities, and operating and maintaining small hand and power tools.

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, Engine Leaders and crew 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.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Must be 18 years of age or older by your available hire date.

Engine Leaders are required to have a basic fundamental understanding of the Wildland Fire Management activities, including Fire Suppression, Mitigation, and Prevention.

The knowledge and skill sets are achieved through successful demonstration and practical experience working for one or more fire years as Wildland Firefighters.

Additionally, a fundamental understanding of wildland firefighting strategy and risk management is required to look out for the safety of fire responders and the public.

• Certified as NWCG FFT2.
• Engine Leaders lead a module of crew members on day-to-day activities to be prepared for and during wildland fire response. This requires the competencies related to being able to effectively communicate with supervisors and lead subordinates in wildland fire organizations.
• Ability to act promptly, use good judgment in day-to-day activities and emergencies, and deal tactfully with the public and interagency partners.

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, 3 miles within 45 minutes), as well as passing an Annual Refresher (RT-130).

• DNR Core Competencies:
  • Personal Accountability
  • Value Others
  • Compassionate Communication
  • Inspire Others
  • Commitment to Excellence
• Employees must furnish proof of eligibility to work in the United States upon hire.

Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment:

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 two years.

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. This may include working 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 up to 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 larger Type 5 Wildland Fire Engines.

Desired Qualifications:

• NWCG Qualification of Firefighter Type 1, Incident Commander Type 5, and Engine Boss
• U.S. Passport
• A high school diploma or equivalent at the time of hire.

Additional Information

Application Requirements:

• To be considered, you must apply online at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above).
• Attach a resume describing your experience and qualifications.
• 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.

If selected for an interview, you will be required to:

• Provide a current Employment Driving Record from each state where you have held a driver’s license within the last two years. Details on how to obtain this record from Washington State can be found on the Department of Licensing website at www.dol.wa.gov.

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 comprises two Zones and has four individual units.

The East Zone of the Northeast Region is comprised of the North Columbia and Arcadia units and serves areas such as Colville, 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.

The Colville area offers a lot of services and amenities with a small-town feel, while the Spokane area allows you to enjoy a fast-paced city environment while providing a wide array of easily accessible outdoor recreation activities.Arcadia - Deer Park, WA, Serves areas such as Spokane, Pend Oreille, and Lincoln counties.

Arcadia staffs 12 wildland engine crews comprised of 8 exempt Engine Leaders and 22 Firefighters.

Crew housing is not available for this location.For questions about Arcadia, please contact: Tommy Matsuda at tommy.matsuda@dnr.wa.govSaul Bergman at saul.bergman@dnr.wa.gov

North Columbia - Colville, WA. Serves areas such as Colville, Chewelah, Hunters, and Kettle Falls.

North Columbia staffs 8 wildland fire engine crews comprised of 7 exempt Engine Leaders and 24 Firefighters.

Crew housing may be available based on availability.For questions about North Columbia, please contact: Travis Greene at travis.greene@dnr.wa.gov or 509-419-9955Mackenzie Wheeler at mackenzie.wheeler@dnr.wa.gov or 509-419-9773

The West Zone of the Northeast Region is comprised of the South Okanogan and Highlands units and serves Okanogan and Ferry Counties. The West Zone, on average, has 100-120 fire starts per year.

Okanogan County is located close to the Canadian border and provides great outdoor recreational activities and areas available for crew members, including the Loomis State Forest and the Pasayten Wilderness area.

Highlands- Loomis, WA. Serves areas in North Okanogan and Ferry Counties, such as Loomis, Tonasket, Oroville, Curlew, and Republic.

The Highlands unit runs 12 engines comprised of 9 exempt Engine Leaders and 30 Firefighters.

Crew housing is not available for this location.For questions about Highlands, please contact: Jimmy Nick at jimmy.nick@dnr.wa.govShaun Turner at shaun.turner@dnr.wa.govEnrique Ortega at enrique.ortega@dnr.wa.govSouth Okanogan- Omak, WA.

Serves areas such as Omak, Okanogan, Conconully, Brewster, Pateros, Twisp, Winthrop, and Mazama.

The South Okanogan unit runs 10 engines, which are comprised of 8 exempt Engine Leaders and 33 Firefighters.

Crew housing may be available upon request.For questions about South Okanogan, please contact: Kevin Vallance at kevin.vallance@dnr.wa.govDaniel Montano at daniel.montano@dnr.wa.govFor 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 requiring accommodation in the application/testing process, or in 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.

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. Persons requiring accommodation in the application/testing process, or in 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.

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.