Wildland Fire Handcrew Squad Boss

Handcrew Squad Boss, Wildland Fire Management Lead (WFML)
Location: Southeast Region- Cle Elum, East Wenatchee and Yakima, WA
Work Hours and Partial Telework flexibility may be available and considered
Relocation Compensation may be available and considered
Salary: $3,477.00 – $4,632.00 Monthly

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 2/12/26. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

Required Qualifications: 

• Knowledge of wildland fire suppression tactics and fire behavior recognition.
• Certified as a National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Firefighter Type 1.
• Creates a positive work environment where all staff are motivated to do their best.
• Encourages team unity through sharing information or expertise, working together to solve problems, and putting team success first.
• Maintains an open, approachable manner and treats others fairly and respectfully.
• Accustomed to tailoring communication to the needs and preferences of others.
• Preserves others’ self-confidence and dignity and shows regard for their opinions.
• Safely performs work at all times. Avoids shortcuts that increase health and safety risks to self or others.
• Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.

Responsibilities:
Community Resilience and Fuels Management

• Prescribed Fire Support – Leads crew to conduct site fuels and fire effects data collection, unit preparation, assist with burn plan writing, community outreach, and Rx burn implementation support to include firing, holding, burn boss, etc.
• Community Resilience – Leads crew to conduct home ignition zone assessments as part of Wildfire Ready Neighbors or independent requests from landowners and/or communities. In addition to Home Ignition Zone assessments, crew members may participate in community education days, plan and participate in community outreach and prevention events, and participate with local cooperators on community outreach projects.
• Forest Health Treatment – Leads crew to conduct non-commercial thinning and slash abatement, project layout, and compliance in coordination with State Lands and Landowner Assistance staff. Supports forest health project layout, tree marking, road brushing, and GPS data collection surveys. Assists with timber sales, layout, marking, forest cruising, and road maintenance.

Wildfire Suppression 

• Protects human life, natural resources, and property on Department-protected lands from wildland and urban interface fires to minimize resource loss and fire costs while ensuring firefighter and public safety. Firefighter safety is the top priority.
• Provide direct Fireline supervision of the hand crew, which responds to grass, brush, and forest fires and is available for district, region, and statewide and/or interagency dispatch. Provides interagency fire suppression activities for initial attack, extended attack, mop-up, patrol, and rehabilitation. On initial attack fires, may perform ICS functions as Incident Commander Type 4 and 5, Task Force Leader, air-to-ground contact, single resource boss, firefighter, timekeeper, or public relations contact. Assists in ensuring safe and efficient use of the Chelan handcrew as an efficient and effective firefighting resource. This often requires working long, irregular hours on weekdays, weekends, holidays, day or night.
• These duties involve field work requiring physical performance, calling for above-average endurance and superior conditioning. These duties may include an occasional demand for extraordinary strenuous activities in emergencies under adverse environmental conditions and over extended periods of time. Works cooperatively with other fire protection authorities when working on joint jurisdiction fires.
• In addition to serving as a handcrew member, may serve with other suppression resources/modules commensurate with qualifications.
• Assists with and authors initial incident reports, fire situation narratives, and fire reports.

Preparedness

• Under the guidance of the Crew Superintendent and Crew Foreman, plans and implements training for seasonal crews and interagency cooperators. Instructs trainings for seasonal and permanent staff, interagency cooperators, and private contractors as appropriate. Assists with developing the Unit’s annual preparedness review. Plans and provides drills and training exercises on a regular basis to the seasonal staff. Ensures safe working practices are followed and holds regular safety meetings and After-Action Reviews with the seasonal staff. Tracks crew training and ensures position task books are completed accurately.
• Under the guidance of the Crew Superintendent and Foreman, develops and implements annual pre-suppression project work plans for firefighters. Assists with developing the Unit’s annual preparedness review. Attends and participates in Unit and Region Staff meetings. Assists with the implementation of the unit’s operational plan and ensures staff, equipment, and facilities are available and ready to meet the Region’s operational plan.
• Under the guidance of the Crew Superintendent and Foreman, plans and provides drills and training exercises on a regular basis to the firefighters. Coordinates work plan activities with other program managers and specialists. (e.g., fuel reduction, pre-commercial thinning, brushing roads, etc.).
• Ensures vehicles and equipment are serviced regularly. Inspect, evaluate, and recommend potential need for replacement of fire equipment, supplies, and vehicles to the Crew Superintendent and Foreman.

Fire Training

• Prepares for and participates in interagency training classes and hands-on courses of wildland firefighting tactics, fire behavior recognition, safe chainsaw operation, use of tools, pumps, and water delivery systems, working around helicopters, and assessments of hazards. Assists crew with guidance on various position task books, training records, and evaluations. Attends Fire Trainings to meet the Chelan Fire Unit’s goals and personal fire training plan. As assigned, assists with required annual firefighter training and needs, and maintains certifications as required by the job position, to assist in the training of the crew. Assists with the administration of Work Capacity Tests (pack tests). Assists in conducting Fire Unit training and participates as an instructor or lead at the Statewide Fire Training Academies or other trainings. Prepares lesson plans and timelines for a variety of professional trainings for participants from DNR, Interagency Cooperators, and the general public.
• May lead or assist in presenting annual Operator Safety Training sessions for private fire contractors.
• Plans drills, and training exercises for the Chelan Hand Crew.
• Analyzes and documents training needs required to meet Incident Command System and appropriate NWCG position qualifications, certifications, and readiness levels. Ensures completion of all required agency and NWCG documentation. Ensures annual IQS information is sent to Region Training Coordinators.

Perform Other Duties as Assigned

• May function as Crew Supervisor in either the Crew Superintendent’s or the Crew Foreman’s absence.
• If qualified, may act as Crew Foreman or Superintendent. May assist with fire prevention and fire regulation program, as assigned.
• May participate in prescribed fire operations for the DNR or other agencies.
• Assists other programs, such as Recreation with public use issues, campground maintenance, and recreation projects, as assigned.
• May assist in performing tasks involving timber presale preparation as assigned by the timber sale unit, including general sale layout, road location, surveying, marking and cruising timber, prescribed fire, and fuels reduction.

Perform Physical Fitness Training

• Following DNR’s Physical Fitness Training Policy (P020-007), the position requires passing annual work capacity tests at the arduous or moderate levels as NWCG requires.