Wildfire Operations District Manager

Fire Operations District Manager, WMS1
Full-time, Non-permanent, WMS1, Non-represented position
Anticipated employment is May – December 2025
Relocation Compensation may be available and considered 
Salary: $82,452.00 – $96,156.00 Annually
To allow for growth and salary progression, the full salary range is: $82,452.00 – $101,208.00 Annually 

Responsibilities:

• Plans, leads, organizes, and oversees the work performed by the Wildland Fire and Forest Health organizational unit in the Pacific Cascade Region.
• Monitors and manages the fire suppression resources in the Pacific Cascade Region to ensure actions and expenditures are appropriate for the conditions and seeks reimbursements and/or cost recovery when appropriate.
• Ensures that all cooperative agreements with other agencies and fire protection districts are negotiated and are current, so that shared resources are available and represent the most effective and efficient way for wildland fire suppression in the Pacific Cascade Region.
• Ensures appropriate and optimum use of the organizational unit resources.
• Provides feedback on policy/procedure discussions. This position also gives opinions and suggests changes to policy as it affects regulating and protecting state and private forest land within the Pacific Cascade Region and statewide, from both internal and external factors.
• Develops and maintains effective communications throughout the organization.
• Supervises two Wildland Fire Coordinator 1 positions, three Wildland Fire Unit Managers (FMOs), and two Wildland Fire Hand Crew Superintendents.
• Mentors staff and provides a positive working environment where people are respected and valued professionally.
• Enhances the effectiveness of all employees in the organizational unit through timely and effective performance appraisals and by providing training and other professional development opportunities.

Required Qualifications: 

• Knowledge of personnel management principles and employee union agreements.
• Knowledge of agency policies, practices, and procedures.
• Skills in verbal and written communication.
• Skills in budget and organizational development and management.
• Skills in evaluating others’ abilities and assessing training needs.
• Skills in agreement and contract negotiations.
• Ability to:
  • Maintain the highest standards of personal/professional, and ethical conduct.
  • Actively contribute to a work environment that embraces diversity and brings together the strengths and perspectives of diverse groups.
  • Build constructive working relationships characterized by a high level of acceptance and mutual regard.
  • Convey clear, persuasive messages that are effective.
  • 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.
  • Influences others within the organization to be excited, enthused, and committed to furthering the organization’s objectives.
  • Creates and nurtures a performance-based culture and takes steps to build a cohesive and results-oriented team.
  • Can be relied on to achieve excellent results with little need for oversight, and seeks and responds to opportunities to resolve problems, achieve goals, or otherwise advance the organization’s purposes. Makes timely decisions even when data is limited or when solutions may produce unpleasant consequences.
  • Work under minimal supervision within the context of broad agency policies.
  • Provide second-level supervision over multiple work units with one or more supervisors.
  • Use a mix of tactical and strategic thinking to address various budget, fixed asset, human resource, and customer service issues.
  • Develop, recommend, and implement agency strategies, policies, and resource allocation.
  • Maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders and organizations.
• Key Knowledge and Skills, Forestry and Fire: Knowledge of wildland fire prevention and suppression practices and tactics, natural resource management policies and issues, timber management planning, and silvicultural principles.