North Unit - Assistant Fire Management Officer (AFMO), Wildland Fire Management Specialist (WFMSpec)

North Unit - Assistant Fire Management Officer (AFMO), Wildland Fire Management Specialist (WFMSpec) Recruitment #2026-9-A062 Full-time, Permanent, Represented position (WPEA) Location: Pacific Cascade Region - Menlo or Chehalis, WA Work Hour flexibility may be available and considered Salary: $4,517.00 - $6,075.00 Monthly Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 10/14/2026. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

The North Unit of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking an Assistant Fire Management Officer (Wildland Fire Management Specialist) within the Pacific Cascade Region. During fire season, this position will be based out of the Menlo work center. The North Unit is responsible for wildfire suppression, prevention, and regulation in three counties (Lewis, Pacific, and Grays Harbor). This position plays a leadership role in fire suppression activities and will be supervising up to 13 employees during fire season. The North Unit operates across a diverse landscape that includes heavily forested timberlands, agricultural areas, coastal environments, and expanding wildland-urban interface. Under the direction of the Fire Management Officer, the Assistant Fire Management Officer has great influence on the quality, image, and message delivered to the public of Washington State. This position works closely with DNR staff, other agencies, as well as the public. Interagency cooperation occurs on the majority of wildland fires and in most fire training courses. Interagency cooperation includes working with local fire districts, state and federal partners, and is a key function of the position.

Duties Responsibilities: Plans and implements wildland fire training for seasonal crews and interagency cooperators. Supervises 3 seasonal engine crews and 1 engine supervisor or heavy equipment operator. Assists with developing the Unit's annual preparedness review. Plans and prepares drills and training exercises on a regular basis for seasonal staff. Ensures safe working practices are followed. Tracks crew training and ensures position task books are completed accurately. Assists in developing an operations plan for the fire unit based on fire suppression and preparedness program deliverables. Recommends seasonal fire staffing levels, analyzes training needs required to meet Incident Command System and appropriate NWCG position qualification and readiness levels. Develops and implements annual project work plans for staff. Coordinates work plan activities with other program managers and specialists. Suppression duties in the local unit can vary from acting as initial attack Incident Commander (IC), generating transition plans to incoming IC's or teams, attending Agency Representative meetings, or drafting and inspecting turnback standards. Establishes Unified Command and works cooperatively with other fire protection authorities when working on joint jurisdiction fires. Works closely with other agencies and/or management teams in coordinating fire suppression activities in and adjacent to the district. Reviews and authors initial incident reports, fire situation narratives, investigation, and accomplishment reports. Often required to work long, irregular hours on workdays, weekends, day or night. These duties may involve fieldwork requiring physical performance calling for above-average endurance and superior conditioning. Participate in statewide fire suppression activities. Assist with providing supervision and oversight for staff in fire suppression at the unit level.

Requirements: Single Resource Boss qualification, Certified NWCG Incident Commander Type 5 or higher, Supervisory experience including fire line supervision, Experience assisting higher-level fire program managers in developing and implementing operation plans, Experience in interpreting agreements and contracts, Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint), Valid driver's license with 2+ years driving experience, Must pass work capacity test annually at arduous level, Desired: NWCG Strike Team Leader or multiple Single Resource Boss qualifications, Incident Commander Type 4, Associate degree in Fire Science or Natural Resource Management

Salary: $54,204.00 - $72,900.00 Annually

Application Deadline: 2026-10-29