Kulshan Squad Boss, Wildland Fire Management Lead (WFML)

Kulshan Squad Boss, Wildland Fire Management Lead (WFML) Recruitment #2026-10-A031

Full-time, Permanent, Represented position (WPEA)

Location: Northwest Region- Bellingham, WA

Work Hours and Partial Telework flexibility may be available and considered

Salary: $3,827.00 - $5,111.00 Monthly

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 10/22/26. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our Northwest Region as a Kulshan Module Squad Boss. The Northwest Region covers wildland fire protection, regulation, and prevention from the area just north of the greater Seattle (Snohomish/King County line) to the Canadian border, including Whidbey, Camano, and the San Juan Islands on the west and the Cascade Mountain crest on the east. The squad boss position is instrumental to the Kulshan Module's workplace culture and plays a major role in the Northwest Region's Wildfire Program.

DUTIES - 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 fire line supervision of hand crew members, who respond to grass, brush, and forest fires and are 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, air-to-ground contact, single resource boss, firefighter, timekeeper, or public relations contact. Assists in ensuring safe and efficient use of the crew as an efficient and effective firefighting resource. This often requires working long, irregular hours on weekdays, weekends, holidays, day or night. These duties involve fieldwork 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 hand crew member, may serve with other suppression resources/modules commensurate with qualifications. Reviews and authors initial incident reports and fire situation narratives.

Community Resilience and Fuels Management: Prescribed Fire Support – Leads squad members 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 - 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 squad to conduct non-commercial thinning and slash abatement, project layout, and compliance in coordination with State Lands and Landowner Assistance staff.

Preparedness: Under the guidance of the Crew Foreman, plans and implements training for seasonal crews and interagency cooperators. Instructs seasonal and permanent staff 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 for 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.

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 the crew with guidance on various position task books, training records, and evaluations. Attends Fire Trainings to meet the 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 and to assist in current training of the crew. Assists with administration of Work Capacity Tests (pack tests). Assists in conducting Fire Unit training and participates as instructor or lead at the Statewide Fire Training Academies or other trainings.

Application Requirements: Online Application via www.careers.wa.gov. Cover Letter tailored to this job posting. Resume including work history, education, volunteer experience, and relevant information. Verification of Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) status through Incident Qualification Card, IQS Master Record, or equivalent. References optional at submission; finalists asked for at least three professional references.

Requirements: NWCG Certified Firefighter Type 1, knowledge of wildland fire suppression tactics and fire behavior recognition, valid driver's license with 2+ years driving experience, ability to pass annual work capacity test at arduous level, high school diploma or GED (desired)

Salary: $45,924.00 - $61,332.00 Annually

Application Deadline: 2026-11-29