Wildland Fire Fuels Crew Lead

Fuels Crew Lead, Wildland Fire Management Lead (WFML)
Full-time, Project, Represented positions (WPEA)
Anticipated Project is October 2026 - March 2029 

Work Hours flexibility may be available and considered
Salary: $3,827.00 - $5,111.00 Monthly

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 10/05/2026. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.
 

Responsibilities:
The Fuels Crew Lead will be expected to excel at two separate jobs over the course of the project duration. One will be working under the direction of a Forest Health Engine Captain on the River City Fuels reduction crew, assessing and monitoring the safety of fellow crew members while also comparing crew production output to project deadlines. This position will be making recommendations on fuels reduction strategies and then coordinating the completion of the prescriptions. Although not a direct supervisor in this role, individuals selected will be provided with additional responsibility such as purchasing, public education, and other duties as assigned. The Fuels Crew Lead will be operating alongside agency partners and working to represent the District professionally.       

The fuels reduction crew will be implementing wildland hazardous fuels mitigation projects. These critical services protect public resources, natural resources, and public safety. The fuels reduction projects will help the agency implement Goal 1 of the 20-Year Forest Health Strategic Plan, Eastern Washington, by directly providing scientifically sound, landscape-scale cross-boundary management and restoration treatments in priority watersheds to increase forest and watershed resilience. The treatment projects include non-commercial tree thinning using chainsaws, tree pruning and slash abatement. Slash abatement can be performed using prescribed fire, chipping or windrowing for mechanical mastication.

During the fire season, the Fuels Crew Lead will be operating as a Wildland Firefighting Engine Lead on a Type 5 brush Engine in the Arcadia District, leading up to 4 Wildland Firefighters, and responsible for responding to wildfire incidents in a safe and efficient manner. This will include operating in NWCG Wildland Fire positions such as Incident Commander, Engine Boss, Heavy Equipment Boss, and more depending on the scale of the incident. 

When not on wildfire incidents, Engine Leaders are responsible for creating daily schedules for the Engine, which may include training, studying, or checking previous incidents. The Engine will be expected to be competent and professional while on and off the fire line.  

The Arcadia District is a fast-paced and complex work environment that places a focus on building culture that requires an individual who will work within the team goals and dynamics to be successful. The individuals selected for these positions would be employed year-round, completing fuels reduction work in the winters and engaged in fire suppression in the summers.

Required Qualifications: 
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 materials that your skills align with the position and qualifications. 
 

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• Certified as a NWCG Firefighter Type 1.
• Basic chainsaw training and experience.
• Experience identifying forest diseases and pathogens.
• Experience properly identifying major conifer species of the Inland Northwest.