Helitack Aircrew Member Firefighter

Overview

2026 Helitack Aircrew Member Firefighter

Recruitment #/4572/7662/7663/7664/7380/7381/7382-Helitack

Locations:
Base of Operations – Wildland Fire Management Division (Yakima, WA). Full-time, Exempt, Non-represented positions. Salary: 3,642.00 - 4,074.00 Monthly.

The fire season is approaching. DNR seeks hardworking, dedicated, responsible, and reliable team members to join Helitack crews based in Yakima. As a Helitack Aircrew Member/Firefighter, you will perform wildland fire pre-suppression and suppression-related activities. Firefighting is demanding work with long hours and time away from home. You must be willing and capable of performing strenuous outdoor work safely and productively.

You will collaborate with other fire professionals, including area fire districts, federal and state partners, gaining exposure to diverse learning opportunities, agency operations, and cross-state collaboration. The experience and training gained can form a foundation for a career in fire, forestry, and other natural resource fields. If you want to experience wildland firefighting operations while flying in and working with helicopters, this is the job for you.

• Prepare for fire duty and maintain assigned helicopters, equipment, and vehicles for fire readiness.
• Safely respond to wildland fires to suppress and prevent them from spreading.
• Perform wildland fire duties including hand-line construction, water handling, general suppression, and prevention activities or training.
• When not engaged in wildland fire preparedness and suppression, perform tasks such as maintaining helicopter bases, buildings, grounds, roads, and equipment.
• Many duties require considerable physical exertion; outdoor work in all terrain and weather, long hours, and time away from home. Duties may include the ability to carry up to 60 pounds and to run, bend, twist, walk, and/or climb.

• Must be 18 years of age or older by available hire date.
• Must provide Certificates of Course Completion for IS-700 and ICS-100 before or on the day of the Work Capacity Test. If previously completed for DNR, you are not required to retake.
• Must pass the DNR work capacity test or "Pack Test" during the selection process and before starting work (45 lbs vest, 3 miles within 45 minutes).
• Firefighters must have competencies to communicate effectively with supervisors and work with and lead subordinates in wildland fire organizations.
• Ability to act promptly, exercise good judgment, and interact tactfully with the public and interagency partners.
• DNR
  
  Core Competencies:
  
  Personal Accountability, Value Others, Compassionate Communication, Inspire Others, Commitment to Excellence.

• Duties involve field work in hazardous environments, with physical endurance and conditioning. Ability to carry up to 60 lbs, and move in all terrain and weather conditions.
• Typical workdays may be 8 hours five days a week or 10 hours four days a week. Positions require on-call response for emergency fire suppression and may involve long, irregular hours, weekends, and day or night work.
• Frequent travel and extended work assignments (11-14 days; infrequent travel up to 21 days). Field duties require use of hand tools, power tools, GPS, maps, a compass, and an iPad. Ability to carry wildland fire tools on field assignments and operate vehicles as needed.
• Successful certification at the minimum level of Firefighter Type 2 is required after the annual work capacity test and firefighter courses for the fire year.

• A valid, unrestricted driver’s license and two years of driving experience.
• NWCG Qualification of Firefighter Type 1.
• NWCG Qualification of Helicopter Crew member.

• Apply online .gov (Click on the APPLY button above).
• References:
  Optional at submission; finalists will be asked to provide at least 3 professional references with current contact information.
• Do not attach documents with photos or private information (Social Security number, year of birth, etc.).
• Complete all supplemental questions.
• Selected candidates may be contacted…