Air Resource Specialist, Wildland Fire Program Coordinator 1 (WFPC1) Recruitment #2024-5-A381/A382 Full-time, Permanent, Represented position Location flexibility may be available and considered: Olympia, WA. * *Work Hours and Partial Telework flexibility may be available and considered * *Salary: $5,088.00 - $6,838.00 Monthly * *Want to join something GREAT and make a difference? The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our Wildland Fire Management Division. We are seeking TWO Air Resource Specialists to expand the Plans and Predictive Services Section! These positions will work on a team with Washington DNR's two wildfire and smoke meteorologists to administer the Washington Smoke Management Plan and advance wildfire smoke science in the state. You will be responsible for prescribed burn smoke decision-making, prescribed burn coordination, community outreach, ambient air quality monitoring, and wildfire smoke forecasting. We are seeking candidates with excellent communication skills and a team-focused mentality to enhance environmental justice, protect public health, and foster sustainable ecosystems within Washington. Additionally, you are encouraged to get actively involved in wildfire operations by pursuing and maintaining incident qualifications such as Air Resource Advisor. The Smoke Management Program is currently responsible for administering the Washington Smoke Management Plan (SMP) by coordinating all silvicultural burning within the state. The program is expanding its responsibilities by adding dedicated smoke forecasters (YOU), developing a deployable air quality monitoring program, and performing research to advance the science of smoke forecasting. You will frequently work with federal partners (National Weather Service/US Forest Service/EPA), state partners (Department of Health, Department of Ecology), and numerous local partners to advance public health and safety in Washington.

Duties

Responsibilities: Applies knowledge of fire behavior, weather, topography, community smoke acceptance, and forest health restoration needs in a collaborative and consultative capacity with the goal of maximizing forest burning that can occur within Clean Air Act compliance. Through interagency coordination, establishes best practices for producing and disseminating wildfire and prescribed fire smoke information to the public. Coordinates with agency partners on the installation and deployment of air monitors ahead of or during smoke events that result in poor air quality. Provides support to the Fire Regulation Program and Fire Training Programs.

*Required Qualifications: *

• A bachelor's degree in a natural resource-related field and two years of experience with wildland fire, OR An equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.
• Perform assigned duties in a manner consistent with applicable laws, regulations and public records retention and requests are followed.
• Knowledge of air quality policy in Washington and from the EPA, and experience applying environmental quality rules/guidelines.
• The ability to work with diverse and competing interest groups to accomplish agency program goals, ability to plan and prioritize workload to meet work deadlines with minimal direct supervision.
• Understanding of forest rules, prescribed burning, and basic wildland fire calculations (fuel loading, fuel consumption, smoke production and dispersion, etc.).