(Career Seasonal; 10 months Full-time)
Duty Location (Yakima WA)
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is recruiting to fill one 10 month full time, career seasonal Forest Crew Supervisor 2 position located in the Lands Division of the Wildlife Program. The duty station is located in Yakima Washington. The employment period mid-February through mid-December, annually.
As the Forest Crew Supervisor 2 (Prescribed Fire Assistant Team Leader)within the Wildlife Program in providing statewide fire management implementation services on wildlife areas including fire dependent fish and wildlife habitat restoration and maintenance using prescribed (Rx) fire. Additionally this position will be the assistant on the prescribed (Rx) Fire burn team to help implement projects for fire-dependent dry forest ecosystems with an initial focus in Eastern Washington but may include any region in Washington State. This position supports/contributes to the mission of WDFW of preserving, protecting and enhancing fish and wildlife and their habitats by restoring fire as a disturbance agent at the appropriate frequency to fire dependent ecosystems/habitats sustaining and perpetuating the plants and animals dependent thereon.
Under the supervision of the Prescribe Fire Team Leader, the Prescribe Fire Assistant Team Leader (Forest Crew Supervisor 2) position supports the Department’s mission and goals by implementing sound fire dependent fish and wildlife habitat restoration and maintenance projects within the constraints of policy, applicable legal requirements, and applicable collective bargaining agreements.
This position assists the Prescribed Fire Team Leader in implementing plans to restore and maintain fire dependent fish and wildlife on wildlife areas primarily in Eastern Washington but may include any region statewide which include more 200,000 acres of forest including numerous fire dependent, e.g., dry forest and fire maintained prairies and steppe.
General duties include: Coordinating with the Prescribed Fire Team Leader and the South Prescribed Fire Unit Manager to implement plans for restoration and maintenance of fire dependent fish and wildlife habitat; Conducting burn unit layout, fuels inventory, assisting with the day to day operations of the Prescribe Burn Team, and implementing restoration projects with a primary focus on assisting in supervising and training under the direction of Prescribed Fire Team Leader for the Prescribed Burn Team crew members.
DutiesSupervision (30% of the time):
- Assist in Developing, and maintaining a fully integrated and functional coordinated team of professional members. This team consists of 3 and up to 6- Natural Resource Worker 2. This team goals are to accomplish overall ecological fire management including prescribed fire implementation, mop-up and patrol, tree thinning operations and monitoring to restore and maintain ecological function of natural systems for the benefit of wildlife and fisheries habitat. Assistant Prescribed Fire Team Leader set up the plan work to be accomplished by subordinates, sets and adjusts short term priorities with coordinating these plans though the Prescribe Fire Team Leader. Works with Prescribe Team Leader to assigns work to subordinates based on priorities. Assist in developing performance standards and evaluates work performance of subordinates. Provide for employee and public safety while implementing assigned projects including prescribed burning. Assist in training curriculum to develop and nurture skills of subordinates.
Prescribed fire pre and post operations (30% of the time):
- Function within a team environment to accomplish overall ecological fire management including planning and preparation of tools and equipment; preparation of burn areas, such as line construction, fuels inventory and area layout; implementation of firing techniques using firing devices; post burn monitoring/patrolling and mop up functions. Maintain ecological function of natural systems for the benefit of wildlife and fisheries habitat. Provide for employee and public safety while implementing assigned projects including prescribed burning. Provide on the job training to subordinate to complete these task within the team functions.
Equipment operation and maintenance(25% of the time):
- Ability to operate various types of equipment such as 4-wheel drive vehicles, all-terrain vehicles (UTV & ATV), chainsaws and hand tools in a safe and efficient manner. Ability to provide basic equipment maintenance such as trouble shooting pumps, engine operations and maintenance, tool maintenance and maintain them in a fire ready condition. Ability to organize and track inventories of fire line equipment so there is accountability of equipment and costs.
Monitoring(10% of the time):
- Ability to learn or develop basic pre- and post-burn monitoring such as fuels inventories and vegetation surveys, photo points this data is required for creating burn plans and monitoring prescribed burn goals and objectives.
Other duties as assigned (5% of the time):
- Participate in forest thinning operations to reduce stand densities prior to implementing prescribed fires. Ability to conduct miscellaneous wildlife area duties as assigned during non-fire periods such as visitor signage replacement, repair construction, assisting planting of food plots, etc.
QualificationsQUALIFICATIONS:
- Three years’ experience on prescribed burns or wildland fire suppression.
- Qualification as a Lead or Supervisor experience for 6 months
- Qualified as a FFT1 or an “In Training” plan can be established if the incumbent does not hold the qualifications required by the position. The incumbent would remain in probationary status until they are fully qualified as an FFT1. The incumbent wound need to meet these requirements within 12 months after date of hire.
Key Knowledge and Skills
- Knowledge of fire dependent habitat management objectives.
- Working knowledge of application of prescribed fire for restoring and maintaining dry dependent fish and wildlife habitat.
- Understanding of current associated agency policies, procedures, and rules.
- Working knowledge of supervision of fire line hand crews and/or prescribed fire hand crews.
- Ability to work collaboratively with others in preparing and implementing Rx burns.
- Ability to navigate using gps, maps, photo interpretation, compass, and other mapping products.
- Ability to traverse unit boundaries and accurately create maps.
- Proficient computer skills such as MS Word, MS Excel, with aptitude for learning new software programs.
Behavioral competencies:
- Creative and innovative thinking.
- Communication effectiveness.
- Organizational and political awareness.
- Adaptability and flexibility.
- Accountability.
- Leadership.
- Ethics and integrity.
- Dependability.
- Strong mentor and development skills[DDR(1]
PREFERRED:
Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
- A Bachelor’s degree involving major study in forestry, agriculture, aqua culture, business, engineering, geology, or other related natural science studies and one year of related professional experience.
- Training in portable pumps and water use (S-211)
- Training in initial attack incident commander (S-200)
- Training in intermediate fire behavior (S-290)
- Career oriented toward fire ecology/science and learning to use fire to achieve resource management objectives.
- First-aid/CPR certification, or similar certification such as first responder or EMT.
- Faller Certified at either the FALA or FALB level
Required Qualifications:
- Three years’ experience on prescribed burns or wildland fire suppression.
- Qualified as a FFT1 or an “In Training” plan can be established if the incumbent does not hold the qualifications required by the position. The incumbent would remain in probationary status until they are fully qualified as an FFT1. The incumbent wound need to meet these requirements within 12 months after date of hire.
- 3 months of Supervisory or Lead work experience.
- Must be capable of passing the arduous physical fitness standard of carrying a 45 pound pack 3 miles in 45 minutes annually.
- Must hold a valid state driver’s license at time of hire.
- Must be 18 years old at time of employment.
The employee must know or understand:
- Team building skills: Leads and promotes cooperation and commitment within a team to achieve goals and deliverables.
- People skills: communicates well with others while assigning tasks, instructions and expectations. Deals with difficult personnel interactions with sensitivity, fairness and resolve.
- Communications: Understands oral and written instructions, listening, incorporating and learning from what supervisors and others have said. Also when unclear or in doubt regarding direction asks appropriate questions for clarification.
- Safety focus: Adhere to all workplace and safety standards for fire management operations.
- Use of fire management tools and fuel inventory tools.
- Equipment operation (ATV, UTV, 4-wheel drive vehicles, brush fire engine, water pumps).
- Use of water handling equipment.
- Ability to effectively work with multiple individuals from multiple organizations towards a common goal.
- Takes personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work and makes the best use of available time and resources.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment
- Valid State Driver’s License(with ability to get WA state License within 30 days of hire)
- First Aid (training provided)
- ATV certification (training provided)
- Certified and current under National Wildfire Coordinating Group specifications and standards Qualified as FFT1 or An “In Training” plan can be established if the incumbent does not hold the qualifications required by the position. The incumbent would remain in probationary status until they are fully qualified as an FFT1. The incumbent wound need to meet these requirements within 12 months after date of hire.
Supplemental InformationWorking Conditions
Duty stations are located in Yakima WA. Position is a combination of office and field work. The incumbent must be willing to work alone and traverse steep, uneven terrain in all weather conditions. The employee is expected to spend their time working in the field under sometimes difficult conditions. Weather conditions can vary from freezing to over 100 degrees F, and terrain is steep and rocky. Other hazards include poisonous reptiles, insects and plants. Employees must be capable of lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds over steep, rugged terrain in hot or cold weather.
The incumbent will be leading and working closely with other Prescribed Fire Team members for extended periods. Good leadership and exceptional people skills are essential to success of this position and the success of the Prescribed Fire Team as a whole.
The incumbent must be able to drive a vehicle on primitive roads during all weather conditions in 4 wheel drive trucks and ATV’s. The incumbent utilizes agency radio equipment and/or cell phone for communication in the field. Office duties require use of standard office furniture and equipment (e.g. desks, files, cabinets, computers, telephones, fax machines, copy machines, etc.). Field duties require frequent use of GPS, topographic maps, aerial photos, compass, clinometer and chain. Field duties also require use of hand and motor-driven cutting equipment such as axes, saws and chainsaws.
Candidate must be willing to work hours outside of the regular 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday work hours including evenings and weekends and Holidays.
Travel up to 40% of the time including overnight trips.
Union
This position is in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals.
How to Apply:
To apply for this position you MUST complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov and attach the following to your profile before completing the online application:
- A cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (generic cover letter will not be accepted)
- A current resume (please make it succinct)
- Three professional references (personal references do not count as professional)
Please note: Failure to follow the above application instructions will lead to disqualification. Please do not include any attachments other than the ones requested above. E-mailed documents will not be accepted after the closing of the recruitment or in lieu of attaching your documents to the online profile.
Upon submission of your online application, you will immediately receive a confirming e-mail. You will then be notified via e-mail of your status during the process. In addition to the e-mail notifications, you can check the status of your application at any time by visiting your online profile at www.careers.wa.gov. Due to the high volume of applications that we receive, we ask your understanding and encourage you to use the online process and avoid calling for information.
Please note that initial screening will be solely based on the completeness of application materials submitted and the contents and completeness of the “work experience” section of your application in NeoGov. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application. The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions. Responses not supported in your application may disqualify you from consideration for employment in this position. All information will be verified and documentation may be required.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife 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, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 902-2276 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (800) 833-6388.