Assistant Fire Management Officer; AFMO), Wildland Fire Management Specialist; WFMSpec)

Assistant Fire Management Officer (AFMO), Wildland Fire Management Specialist (WFMSpec)

Recruitment #2026-9-A107
· Full-time, Permanent, Represented position (WPEA)
·

Location:

Northeast Region
- Colville, WA

Work Hours flexibility may be available and considered

Salary: $4,517.00 - $6,075.00 Monthly

We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 9/29/26. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?

The North Columbia Unit of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking an Assistant Fire Management Officer (Wildland Fire Management Specialist) within the Northeast Region. This position will be based out of our regional compound in Colville, WA. The North Columbia District is responsible for wildfire suppression, prevention, and regulation in three counties (Stevens, Ferry, and Pend Oreille).

This position plays a leadership role in fire suppression activities and will be supervising up to 16 employees during fire season.

The North Columbia District conducts suppression actions on approximately 125 fire starts annually and provides training courses to our local cooperators. 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 general public of Washington State. This position works closely with DNR staff, other agencies, as well as the general public.

Interagency cooperation occurs on the majority of the 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.

• Plans and implements wildland fire training for seasonal crews and interagency cooperators.
• Assists with developing the Unit's annual preparedness review. Plans and provides drills and training exercises on a regular basis to the 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.
• Acts periodically in rotation as Duty Officer for the unit. As Duty Officer, ensures staffing plan is adequate based on fire danger, and recommends changes to the Fire Management Officer or District Manager.
• 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.
• Participates in statewide fire suppression activities.
• Assist with providing supervision and oversight for staff in fire suppression at the unit level.

You must meet all the Required Qualifications and Competencies to be considered for this position. There are multiple pathways to meet qualifications, such as education, volunteer work, life skills, and experience. Please clearly communicate in your application material that your skills align with the position and qualifications.

• NWCG
  
  Qualifications:
• Single Resource Boss
• Incident Commander Type 5
• Supervisory experience.
• Experience in agreement and contract negotiations.

• Commitment to continual learning and adaptation to technology advances.
• Team effectiveness- understanding and ability to increase team effectiveness by focusing on situational awareness,…