S.E. Thurston Fire Authority DNR CO-OP Position
Job Description: SETFA is seeking a summer seasonal employee to work on a WA DNR wildland engine. The position is a 40hr work week 0930-1800 for 5 consecutive days (days to be determined) and extended hours.
You are managed by the regional fire forester and the assigned engine leader. Your job will be very labor intensive at times and you may deploy throughout the region for weeks at a time during an assignment. This position will provide experience in the industry and have opportunity for further training. Employment period for this position is June 12th– September 15th but, as the season allows and the department’s needs, it may extend further (i.e. October).
Minimum requirements:
• Must be age 18 and possess a high school diploma or equivalent at the time of hire.
• Ability to pass physical fitness requirements
• Obtain upon hire or currently possess wildland FF2 (“Red Card”)
• Ability to deploy regionally on short notice and be away from home for 14 days or longer at a time.
• Certificate of completion for the ICS-100, 200 and IS-700 courses (due on or before the wildland FF2 training)
Compensation:
You will be paid $17.16/hour & ($19.16/while on a fire). And Overtime is paid at $25.74/hour & ($28.74/while on a fire). (Overtime is in hours excess of 40 hours per week). There are no medical benefits or PTO associated with this position. You will be paid on or around the 15th of each month.
Working Conditions:
Many of the duties performed on these jobs require considerable physical exertion; working outdoors in all terrain and weather conditions, working long hours, and extended periods of time away from home. Duties include but may not be limited to the ability to carry up to 60 pounds, run, bend, twist, walk and/or climb. A work capacity test or “pack” test that measures the physical fitness of candidates is administered as part of the selection process. Candidates are required to pass at the “arduous” level for a firefighter crew member or natural resource worker position. Below is a chart describing what the work of a wildland firefighter may include:
Time/Work Volume:
• long hours (minimum of 12 hour shifts or more)
• irregular hours
• shift work
• multiple and consecutive assignments
• pace of work typically set by emergency situations
• living out of a backpack for 2 or more weeks
Physical Requirements:
• using shovels, hoses, and other hand tools
• lifting and loading boxes and equipment
• driving/riding for long hours
• extensive walking, climbing, hiking, kneeling, stooping
Environment:
• very steep terrain rocky, loose, or muddy ground surfaces
• thick vegetation
• down/standing trees
• holes and drop offs
• very rough roads
• isolated/remote sites
Physical Exposures:
• light (bright sunshine, UV)
• burning materials
• extreme heat
• airborne particles
• smoke, fumes, gases
• falling rocks and trees
• allergens
• loud noises
• snakes, insects, poisonous plants
• trucks and other large equipment
• close quarters, same people, limited/disrupted sleep
• hunger, irregular meals, dehydration
Job training will be provided for all firefighter positions at DNR.
DNR provides fire crew members with required safety clothing and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). This clothing is expected to be worn during regular work hours and must be worn while firefighting. Crew members are required to wear lace-up boots with Vibram soles and constructed entirely of heavy leather that extends a minimum of 8 inches above the heel cup (inside of boot). DNR will provide up to $370 to purchase required boots.
To apply please write a letter of interest and include a resume for review and send to kcorey@setfa.org
Subject line DNR Co-op position. There will be a review of the applicants and an interview prior to the appointment to the position. (APPLICATION PERIOD CLOSES MARCH 20th, 2023 @ 1700)