Summary

This seasonal job involves leading a small team of 3-4 firefighters on wildland fire engines, handling fire suppression, prevention tasks, and maintaining equipment during Washington's summer fire season, which typically lasts 3-6 months from May to September.

It's physically demanding work that requires being away from home for long hours in outdoor conditions.

A good fit would be someone reliable, hardworking, and interested in natural resources who has prior experience in outdoor or firefighting roles and wants to build skills for a career in forestry or emergency response.

Key Requirements

3 months of previous natural resource work experience
Ability to lead and supervise a crew of 3-4 members on the fire line
Capable of performing strenuous outdoor physical work safely and productively
Skills in operating and maintaining small motorized equipment, hand/power tools, and light/heavy trucks (e.g., 1-ton 4x4 fire engines)
Willingness to work long hours, be away from home, and commit to a 3-6 month season (potentially April to October)
Perform fire suppression duties including hand-line construction, water handling, and prevention activities
Engage in non-fire tasks like tree thinning, pruning, road maintenance, and recreation site upkeep

Full Job Description

2026 SOUTHEAST REGION SUMMER WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER ENGINE LEADER

Recruitment #2025-11-EL-SE

Full-time, Exempt, Non-represented positions.

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 Southeast 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 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.

This 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 pass 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.

PRIOR to 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:CHELANThe Chelan Fire Unit is located in East Wenatchee, WA. The response area covers state, private, and federal lands within Chelan and Douglas County.

The Chelan Fire Unit prides itself on being a High-Reliability Organization with a strong emphasis on interagency cooperation.

Engine crew members will help staff a Type 5 Engine as a part of a 3-4-person Engine module and hand crew firefighters will help staff a 20-person crew.

The majority of our fire responses involve working in cooperation with our partner agencies, the local Fire Districts, the US Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management.

On average the Chelan Fire Unit will respond to roughly 80 incidents per year. This Chelan Unit is made up of 7 wildland fire engines, a 20-person hand crew, and an initial attack dozer.

Crew housing is not available.CHELAN DUTY STATION LOCATION ADDRESS: 5552 Industry Ln East Wenatchee, WA 98802HIRING MANAGERS:Nick Gale, AFMO Nicholas.Gale@Dnr.wa.gov (509)-899-7689Ryan Doop, AFMO Ryan.Doop@dnr.wa.gov 509-607-0902Jadon McCabe, AFMO Jadon.McCabe@dnr.wa.gov 509-856-5501

ELLENSBURG The Kittitas Unit works out of the Ellensburg and Cle Elum work centers. This unit falls within the boundary of Kittitas County, which has a total area of 2,333 square miles.

The Kittitas Unit consists of 6 Type-5 fire engine modules; 1 permanent engine lead, 5 seasonal engine leads, and 18 seasonal firefighters.

Our unit holds our interagency cooperation in high regard by embracing the "all hands all lands" vision, and through this theme, we can protect state and private timber lands, along with the citizens of Washington State.

On average, we respond to roughly 60 incidents a year. Crew housing is not available on-site, but rental options are available.

http://www.kittitascountychamber.com/ ;ELLENSBURG AND CLE ELUM DUTY STATION LOCATION ADDRESS: 713 E Bowers Road, Ellensburg, WA 98926 and 2281 Airport Rd.

Cle Elum, WA 98922HIRING MANAGERS:Court Martin, AFMO - Ellensburg, Court.martin@dnr.wa.gov, 509-899-7613Dallas Barron, AFMO- Cle Elum, Dallas.Barron@dnr.wa.gov, 509-856-5121YAKIMA Yakima Unit work center is located in Naches, WA.

This unit consists of 5, type 5 wildland fire engines staffed with a total of 1 permanent and 4 seasonal engine leaders and 15 seasonal fighters to provide prevention, pre-suppression, and suppression responsibilities for both state and private forested lands as well as closely working with our interagency partners throughout the area.

The Yakima Unit also hosts an initial attack dozer, the Ahtanum Handcrew, and a Helibase for DNR’s Fire Aviation program.

When not assigned to fires, firefighters will be training and engaging in project work related to Forest Health, Community Resilience, and Prescribed Fire.

Crew housing is not available on-site, but rental options are available.

http://www.yakima.org/yakima/relocate.htmlNACHES DUTY STATION LOCATION ADDRESS: 102 Naches Ave, Naches WA 98937HIRING MANAGERS: Carson Zepp, FMO, Carson.Zepp@dnr.wa.gov, 509-899-2170Lane Berry, AFMO, Lane.berry@dnr.wa.gov, 509-856-5526Tyler Meyer, AFMO, Tyler.Meyer@dnr.wa.gov, 509-899-0768KLICKITATThe Klickitat Unit services Klickitat County and parts of Skamania County along the Scenic Columbia River Gorge.

The Klickitat Unit consists of 7 Type-5 wildland fire engines, the 20-person Klickitat Initial Attack Hand Crew, an Initial Attack Dozer, and a Helibase for DNR’s Fire Aviation Program, 35 seasonal firefighters and 5 engine leads.

Covering just under 760,000 acres of private, state, and federal lands, the Klickitat unit partners with 20 rural and municipal fire departments along with 2 National Forests, The Yakama Nation, the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Bureau of Land Management to combat wildfires in our area.

The Klickitat Unit has responded to 57 incidents over a 5-year average. Currently, the Klickitat unit staffs two locations; Goldendale, WA, and Dallesport, WA.

Crew housing is available at the Dallesport location for crew and firefighters from both Dallesport and Goldendale.KLICKITAT UNIT DUTY STATION LOCATION ADDRESSES: Goldendale - 900 Fairgrounds Rd.

Goldendale, WA 98620 and Dallesport - 325 6th Ave Dallesport, WA 98617HIRING MANAGERS:Chris Barthlow, East AFMO, Chris.Barthlow@dnr.wa.gov, (509) 856-5495Paxton Stone, West AFMO, paxton.stone@dnr.wa.gov, 509-310-3060Anthony Dobson, FMO, anthony.dobson@dnr.wa.gov, 509-310-3229DAYTON and CLARKSTON (also known as Blue Mountain Unit) The Blue Mountain Unit is situated in the far Southeast corner of the state and staffed in 2 locations: Dayton, WA, and Clarkston, WA.

Protection covers 270,000 acres of land over 4 counties.

This unit consists of 4 wildland fire engines (2 engines at each location) staffed with a total of 16 seasonal firefighter personnel, and one Initial Attack Dozer.

The unit works very closely with interagency partners in the Blue Mountain area including 7 Rural Fire Districts, 3 USFS Ranger Districts, 2 ODF units, and 2 BLM units.

For more information on the community of Dayton, please visit http://www.historicdayton.com/. For more information on the community of Clarkston, please visit https://www.clarkston.org/.

Crew housing is not available on-site, but rental options are available.

Housing may also be available in Lewiston, ID which is located just across the Snake River.BLUE MTN UNIT DUTY STATION LOCATION ADDRESSES: Clarkston - 2377 Appleside Blvd Clarkston, WA 99403 and Dayton - 111 Patit Rd Dayton, WA 99328HIRING MANAGERS:Jacob LeBaron, Dayton AFMO, Jacob.LeBaron@dnr.wa.gov, 509-859-6703Austin Summers, Clarkston AFMO, Austin.Summers@dnr.wa.gov, 509-899-9108For 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.