Aircraft Dispatch Coordinator, Wildland Fire Program Coordinator

Job Title

Aircraft Dispatch Coordinator, Wildland Fire Program Coordinator 1

Recruitment #2026-6-0127.

Full‑time, Permanent, Represented position (WFSE).

Location:

DNR Coordination Center – Tumwater, WA.

Work Hours flexibility may be available and considered.

Relocation Compensation may be available and considered.

Salary: $5,398.00 – $7,254.00 Monthly

We are looking for a Wildfire Aircraft Dispatch Coordinator (Wildland Fire Coordinator
1) to support the DNR Coordination Center’s dispatch operations during fire season. The coordinator will report to the DNR CC Center Manager, work under the guidance of state regulations, and collaborate with the Aviation Assistant Division Manager and other Aviation Program staff. Key responsibilities include dispatching DNR and contract aircraft, tracking mobilization and demobilization, managing fiscal accountability for aircraft billings, and improving dispatch procedures.

• Service‑oriented
• Calm under pressure
• Attentive to detail
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

The selected individual must also be able to learn complex procedures, tools, and technical programs; communicate and coordinate with senior leadership; and use judgment to support the agency’s mission of protecting Washington’s lands.

• Coordinate with the DNR Air Operations Support Coordinator to obtain Aviation Exclusive Use and Call When Needed agreements, amendments, and contract numbers.
• Transfer aircraft in IROC between the DNR Coordination Center and other dispatch centers, ensuring proper agreement numbers and unit identifiers are obtained.
• Serve as the single point of ordering for additional aircraft; dispatch surge resources staged at Olympia Airport; and clarify roles with WA State Dispatch Centers to eliminate duplicate processes.
• Communicate with statewide surge aircraft via radio console and log activity in WildCADe.
• Track aircraft resources during suppression and non‑suppression activities using AFF and WildCADe, and relay status updates to regional dispatch centers, fire managers, and incident commanders.
• Coordinate with aviation staff and regional dispatch centers to ensure orders for aviation assets are properly executed statewide.
• Create or obtain Tactical Aircraft Request Orders (TARO) for DNR aviation resources dispatched to incidents, ensuring TAROs are attached to IROC orders.
• Assist regions or the NW Coordination Center with ordering SIRD (Service Infrared Daytime) and SIRN (Service Infrared Nighttime) requests, placing orders with the appropriate dispatch center.
• Fill fixed‑wing, rotor‑wing, equipment, and overhead aviation IROC orders sent to the DNR CC, and email orders to necessary staff.
• Implement procedures requiring regional dispatch centers or the NW Coordination Center to submit detection flight requests through a unified process.
• Document aircraft dispatched to NW Compact partners, ensuring the order indicates it is a Compact Request in IROC before filling or creating the order.
• Provide flight following when regional dispatch centers are not staffed, coordinating with pilots and air operations.
• Collaborate with helicopter managers, air attack teams, and other coordinators during initial attack to ensure efficient and safe dispatch of air resources.
• Assess and manage Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) based on fire complexity and location; create and submit TFR orders in IROC and communicate with the NWCC.
• Communicate promptly with the DNR CC Center Manager, DNR Aviation personnel, and State EMD personnel when WNG aircraft are mobilized; upload orders into the State EMD WebEOC Mission Tracker.
• Work with the Center Manager to determine staffing needs for the Aircraft Desk based on current and expected wildfire conditions; request funding for qualified and trainee dispatchers as needed.
• Oversee and train dispatchers and other personnel involved in aircraft dispatch operations, including on‑the‑job training, simulation exercises, and reviews of protocols and safety plans.
• Monitor all HB 1498 fires and track DNR aircraft dispatched to each; collect and save IROC demobilization orders for each fire and aviation resource.
• Create and maintain…