2025 SPS SUMMER WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER

The State of Washington is hiring 2025 Summer Wildland Firefighters for full-time positions in Olympia, WA. These roles involve performing pre-suppression and suppression activities in the South Puget Sound Region. The job requires physical fitness and teamwork, with training provided at the agency's fire academy. The positions last 3-6 months, typically from May to September, and offer a chance to gain valuable experience in firefighting and natural resource management.
SOUTH PUGET SOUND REGION
2025 SUMMER WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER
Recruitment #2025-WFF-SPS
Full-time, Exempt, Non-represented positions.
Salary: $3,433.00 - $3,840.00 Monthly
Positions with permanent duty stations in King County receive an additional 5% added to their monthly base salary.

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.

Applications submitted by and before January 7th will be eligible for first-round consideration. Applicants selected to move forward from this point in the hiring process can expect to hear from a member of the hiring committee within one to two weeks after January 7th. First-round interviews will be scheduled around the last week of January and the first two weeks of February. Supplemental interviews will be held after that time to fill any remaining vacant positions.

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 in the South Puget Sound Region as a Wildland Firefighter. As a firefighter on one of our engine crews, you will perform 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. Working for the DNR as a Wildland Firefighter is extremely rewarding. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other fire professionals including area fire districts, and federal and other state partners; giving you exposure to a variety of learning opportunities, agency operations, and the ability to build cohesive relationships across the state of Washington. You will experience a different level of collaboration within the DNR that will offer a lifetime worth of skills for your future career path. The experience and training gained as a member of an engine crew 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, basic 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.What to Expect as a DNR Firefighter:
• 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, Wildland Firefighters 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.
Required Qualifications:
• Must be age 18 and possess a high school diploma or equivalent at the time of hire
• Must provide Certificates of Course Completion for IS-700 and ICS-100 before or on the day of the scheduled Work Capacity Test. If you have previously taken and received credit by DNR for these courses, you are NOT required to retake or resubmit the certificates of completion.
• 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 vest, 3 miles within 45 minutes).
• Firefighters require the competencies related to being able to effectively communicate with supervisors, and work with 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.
• 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:
• 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 work day is an 8-hour day, five days a week. Positions require response during off-duty hours for emergency fire suppression needs. Positions required to work 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 of 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 Type 5 Wildland Fire Engines.
• Successful certification at the minimum level of Firefighter Type 2 is required after the annual work capacity test and firefighter courses are completed for the fire year.
Desired Qualifications:
• A valid unrestricted driver’s license and have two years of driving experience.
• NWCG Qualification of Firefighter Type 1.
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.
• Provide three to five professional references – you may attach a document, use the References text field in the online application, or include it with your resume.
Before 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:
The South Puget Sound Region covers King, Pierce, Kitsap, Mason, Thurston, and parts of Snohomish, Lewis, and Grays Harbor counties. Sitting between the central Cascades and the Olympic Mountains, this region is trisected north and south by Puget Sound, Hood Canal, and Lake Washington and includes the popular Tahoma, Elbe Hills, Capitol, Green Mountain, Tahuya, and Tiger Mountain state forests. The region includes 359,524 acres of state forest, agriculture, urban, and conservation lands, and the staff oversees forest practices on approximately 2.5 million acres and leads wildfire prevention and fighting efforts on 1.9 million acres of state and private forestland. Our South Puget Sound Region manages over 37,776 acres of conservation lands including Mount Si and Woodard Bay Natural Resources Conservation Areas. The South Puget Sound Region works with volunteers to provide visitors with access to more than 30 recreation sites and over 450 miles of trails. Crew housing may be available based on availability.

Questions? Please contact our SPS Region office at Southpuget.region@dnr.wa.gov/360-825-1631.
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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. Additional Information:
DNR does not use the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Veterans wishing to claim Veteran’s preference please attach a copy of your DD-214, NGB-22, or other verification of military service. Please black out your social security number before attaching it. We thank you and are grateful for your service!

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Natural Resources 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, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 522-2500 or email DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

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Once you submit your online application, you can check your status by logging into your account. If you experience technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application call NEOGOV toll-free at (855)524-5627 or email CareersHelp@des.wa.gov.