Wildland Fire Heavy Equipment Operator, EO

Overview

Wildland Fire Heavy Equipment Operator, EO2.

Recruitment #2026-1-A149. Full-time, Permanent, Represented position (WPEA).

Location:

Southeast Region - Ellensburg, WA.

Work Hours and Partial Telework flexibility may be available and considered. Relocation Compensation may be available and considered. Salary: $4,517.00 - $5,241.00 Monthly.

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 2/5/26. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

• Fire readiness, fuels mitigation, forest resiliency.
• Operate dozers, excavators, and transports both during fire suppression and non-emergency situations.
• Perform maintenance on heavy equipment, engines, chainsaws, and pumps.
• Assist with training both internal firefighters and external equipment operators for “blue card training”.
• Occasionally participate in region and statewide committees. May assist with unit vehicle maintenance and assist with the inventory of fire unit equipment.
• Basic understanding of Microsoft programs such as Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Possession of a Class A CDL.

• Two-year minimum experience in operating dozers or excavators in a forested environment.
• Two years of documented experience operating Class A CDL-rated transport equipment, including lowboy trailers, tilt bed trailers, tilt bed transport trucks, etc.
• Team Leadership:
  Actively takes steps to build a cohesive and results-oriented team.
• Decisiveness:
  Makes timely decisions even when data is limited or when solutions may produce unpleasant consequences. Under emergency or ambiguous circumstances, can produce an effective action plan on a timely basis.
• Tact and Diplomacy:
  Responds 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.
• Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.
• Perform assigned duties in a manner consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and public records retention and requests are followed.
• DNR
  
  Core Competencies:
  • Personal Accountability
  • Value Others
  • Compassionate Communication
  • Inspire Others
  • Commitment to Excellence

• The position’s assigned duty station is the Southeast Region office in Ellensburg. The majority (85%) of work is in the field on wildfires or forest resiliency projects, requiring the ability to traverse uneven terrain in all weather conditions.
• Day travel between wildfires, forest resiliency assignments, and the work center is frequent. Overnight travel for training and meetings may be required one to three times per year.
• Must pass the work capacity test at the level required for all NWCG qualified position.
• A current, valid driver’s license and two years of driving experience. Additionally, DNR requires state drivers to possess a license that is not suspended, revoked, or restricted. This position requires driving as an essential function. Finalists and/or interview candidates will be asked to provide a driving record from all states in which they have held a license during the past three years.
• Must possess a Class “A” Commercial Driver’s License with tank vehicle endorsement. Pre-employment CDL verification, work history background check, and drug testing will be required as a condition of employment. This position may be subject to pre-employment, random, and reasonable suspicion drug testing.

• Fully qualified in multiple NWCG Single Resource Boss positions and ICT4, and maintain that level of certification.
• Proven ability in computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, mobile navigation applications, and Global Positioning technology.
• Equipment Operating
  
  Experience:
  
  Three years minimum documented experience in operating dozers in a forested environment with wildland fire experience.
• Three years of documented experience operating excavators, skid steers, and wood processing equipment in a forested environment.
• Three years…