Job Type: Full-time, on-site
Location: Ellensburg, WA
Salary: $54,204-$62,892/year
Application Due Date: July 15, 2025
Job Description:
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within its Southeast Region as a Wildland Fire Equipment Operator for the Wildfire program, located in Ellensburg, Washington.
This position supports the mission and goals of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, WADNR, through fire suppression, fire hazard mitigation, and forest resiliency improvement. The overall objectives are to minimize fire damage and the number of acres burned. In addition, this position supports the WADNR’s 20-year Forest Health Strategic Plan and 10-Year Wildland Fire Protection Strategic Plan by performing forest resiliency projects, forest fuel reduction work activities, and prescribed fire support. Activities are coordinated with other agencies and industry staff to avoid duplication and waste of resources whenever possible.
The primary purpose of this position is to provide for the skilled and safe operation of heavy equipment owned or leased by the WADNR, including transports, dozers, excavators, tenders, engines, masticating equipment, and other miscellaneous equipment. This position provides operation of heavy equipment in response to wildland fire emergency incidents, serves as fire line overhead as qualified, and supports forest resiliency and fire hazard mitigation projects.
This position may coordinate with other local government and federal fire suppression agencies. A typical year’s workload includes approximately 50 fire responses and 10 Forest Health and Fire Preparedness Projects.
This position also operates heavy equipment in non-emergency land management activities within the Region. This position serves as the primary operator of an initial attack fire dozer and as the primary transport driver. This position coordinates and/or conducts physical labor necessary to suppress and extinguish wildfires. Duties include heavy equipment operation, fire readiness, fire suppression, hazardous fuels mitigation, equipment/vehicle maintenance, forest resiliency activities, and general building/grounds maintenance.
Responsibilities:
Fire readiness, fuels mitigation, and forest resiliency
Operate Dozers, excavators, and transports both during fire suppression and nonemergency situations.
Perform maintenance on heavy equipment, engines, chainsaws, and pumps.
Assist with training both internal firefighters as well as external equipment operators for “blue card training.”
Occasionally participate in region and statewide committees. May assist with unit vehicle maintenance and assist with the inventory of fire unit equipment.
Basic understanding of Microsoft programs such as Microsoft Word and Excel.
Possession of a Class A CDL
Qualifications and Experience:
Required
Minimum of two years' experience in operating dozers or excavators in a forested environment.
Two-year minimum documented experience operating Class A CDL-rated transport equipment, including lowboy trailers, tilt bed trailers, and tilt bed transport trucks, etc.
Team Leadership – Actively takes steps to build a cohesive and results-oriented team.
Decisiveness -- Makes timely decisions even when data is limited or when solutions may produce unpleasant consequences. Under emergency or ambiguous circumstances, can produce an effective action plan on a timely basis.
Tact and Diplomacy -- Respond to difficult, stressful, or sensitive interpersonal situations in a way that reduces or minimizes potential conflict and maintains good working relationships among internal and external customers.
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
Preferred
Three years of minimum documented experience in operating dozers in a forested environment with wildland fire experience.
Three years of documented experience operating excavators, skid steers, and wood processing equipment in a forested environment.
Three years of minimum documented experience operating Class A CDL-rated transport equipment, including lowboy trailers, tilt bed trailers, and tilt bed transport trucks, etc.
PM-310-1 rated Heavy Equipment Boss (HEQB).
Knowledge and/or experience of:
Burn permit regulations
Fire regulatory and enforcement
Forest fire prevention
Fire investigation
Good writing and verbal communication skills
General forestry
Successful completion of S-236
Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment
The position’s assigned duty station is the Southeast Region office in Ellensburg. The majority (85%) of work is in the field on wildfires or forest resiliency projects, requiring the ability to traverse uneven terrain in all weather conditions.
Incumbent is often directed to work overtime hours during fire season. The schedule is also diverse and varies for fire response coverage. The schedule may include weekend days with schedule changes to accommodate weekend and evening training. Emergency overtime is provided for all responses within the Incident Command System.
Day travel between wildfires, forest resiliency assignments, and work centers is frequent. Overnight travel for training and meetings may be required one to three times per year.
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.
Must possess a Class “A” Commercial Driver’s License with tank vehicle endorsement to be able to drive equipment.
Must pass the work capacity test at the level required for all NWCG-qualified positions.
See the “Learn More” link below for more information.
