Dispatch Supervisor, Wildland Fire Dispatcher 4 (WFD4)

Description

Relocation Compensation may be available and considered
Salary: $3,811.00 - $5,117.00 Monthly

Please Note: In addition to the salary range advertised, the incumbent will receive an additional 5% King County duty station pay.

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
Would you like to build and lead a dynamic team of dispatchers who provide for the safety and wellbeing of Department of Natural Resources (DNR) personnel, emergency responders, and public resources? Do you thrive in high-stress situations? Do you want to support emergency work by organizing and directing critical resources when wildfires threaten local communities and their residents? DNR’s South Puget Sound Region (SPS) is seeking a Dispatch Supervisor to provide exemplary leadership of up to 5 employees working within the regions Dispatch Center. The SPS Dispatch Center is responsible for tracking employees working throughout the region in remote locations, dispatching and tracking firefighting resources (including engines, incarcerated crews, and aviation assets) to local and regional wildfire incidents, conducting emergency operation and evacuation drills, completing critical reporting of wildfire activities, tracking fire fiscal documentation, and performing administrative support functions. This position must provide steady and deliberate leadership in stressful emergency situations.

To be successful in this role, the selected individual will need to be:

• Service-oriented;
• Calm under pressure;
• Attentive to detail;
• A strong leader;
• A compassionate mentor; and
• Possess strong written and verbal communication skills.

Additionally, the person serving in this role will be required to learn and implement complex procedures and utilize technical programs necessary to dispatch, track, and document agency resources. They will provide program expertise to staff and peers and will act as the primary dispatch trainer. They must mentor and lead dispatch staff, relying on team cohesion to form the foundation of the center. They must use sound judgement to make split second decisions that align with agency guidelines and dispatch procedures to protect the safety and wellbeing of emergency responders and support the health of Washington’s lands.

Duties

Responsibilities:
This position supervises the staffing and communications management of critical emergency response when life, property or natural resources are threatened due to wildfire.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Providing technical direction to dispatch staff, ensuring procedures for wildfire dispatching, fire business, administrative management, records retention and incident/resource documentation are met;
• Providing leadership and promoting cohesion within the dispatch team;
• Mentoring and training dispatch staff, building a culture of trust and resiliency;
• Leading and developing dispatch staff as they apply procedures and local knowledge to mobilizing personnel and resources for emergency operations and incident support;
• Assigning work and evaluating job performance to provide the highest level of service while meeting agency goals, values, and principles;
• Ensuring applicable documentation is completed in a timely and accurate manner for all emergency operations and incident response;
• Ensuring incident and resource information is properly organized and easily accessible for cost recovery processes;
• Ensuring fire records are maintained and stored according to agency records and retention policies;
• Serves as the region expert and contact for wildfire support programs such as WildCAD-e and Interagency Resource Ordering Capability (IROC).
• Works cooperatively with partnering dispatch centers to ensure cohesion and efficiency when ordering resources to support wildfire incidents;
• Tracking public notifications of active burn permits, prescribed fires, and smoke complaints;
• Providing agency staff with notifications of burn permit requests and burn complaints;
• Supporting Duty Officers and agency staff when responding to after-hours wildfire incidents.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications: 

• One season as a Wildland Fire Dispatcher 3;
  OR an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Supervisory Experience.
• Experience in Microsoft Programs.
• Must be able to evaluate people by state application processes to ensure the variety of skills in a dispatch center are met.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Typing at a minimum of 40 words per minute.
• 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.
• DNR Core Competencies:
  • Personal Accountability
  • Value Others
  • Compassionate Communication
  • Inspire Others
  • Commitment to Excellence

Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment:

• Position is assigned to the SPS Communication Center at the Headquarters Building in Enumclaw, WA. Work is performed within a dispatch office environment where frequent interruptions, multi-tasking and stressful conditions are routine. Dispatch is a high pressure environment, answering multiple radio/phone calls per day, under noisy conditions for extended periods of time without loss of concentration, sit for 4 or more hours per day; work overtime on short notice to assist in emergency operations and accept varying work schedules/shifts; follow written and /or oral instructions; to move or relocate objects weighing approximately 20 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Throughout the year occasional travel is required to attend meetings and trainings throughout.

Desired Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED Equivalent.
• One year of supervisory experience.
• National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) qualified as an Initial Attack Dispatcher (IADP), Expanded Dispatch Support Dispatcher (EDSD), or Aircraft Dispatcher (ACDP).
• Wildland fire suppression experience.

Don’t let doubts stop you from applying for this position - If you have any questions about the required qualifications or how your past experience relates to them, please contact us at [email protected]. A note to potential candidates: Studies have shown that women, trans, non-binary, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) are less likely to apply for jobs unless they feel they meet every qualification as described in a job description. We value diversity and inclusion in our organization, and we are looking for the best person for the job. Don’t hesitate to apply!

Supplemental Information

Application Requirements:

• Apply online: at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above).
• Letter of interest: describing your specific qualifications to the position and position required, desired, and special requirements.
• Resume: that details your experience and qualifications.
• References: 3-5 professional references with current telephone numbers; to include your 2 most recent supervisors. You may attach a document, use the References text field in the online application, or include it with your resume.
• Important: Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.).
• Complete all supplemental questions.
• Candidates who move forward in the recruitment process may be contacted via email at [email protected] with interview information/scheduling instructions. Please monitor the email listed in your application materials and check your junk email folder to ensure you receive those communications.

Questions?  Please contact Daniel Eide at [email protected] / (253) 651-5838 or e-mail us at [email protected].

Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 522-2500 or email [email protected]. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

About the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). 
At DNR we approach our work through the lens of making Washington a better place environmentally and are dedicated to serving Washington’s lands and communities through diversity, equity, and inclusion. 
Our Vision – Our actions ensure a future where Washington’s lands, waters, and communities thrive.
Our Mission – Manage, sustain, and protect the health and productivity of Washington’s lands and waters to meet the needs of present and future generations.
Our Core Values:

• Safety and Well-Being —Our top priority is the safety of the public and our employees.
• Public Service —We value and respect the public we serve, and we value and respect the people of the Department of Natural Resources who step up to serve.
• Innovation and Creative Problem-Solving — We solve our state’s most pressing challenges through innovative thinking, dedication, and bold and creative vision.
• Leadership and Teamwork —We are committed to building leaders at all levels and building teams for success.

DNR provides excellent benefits, a few of which include:

• Commitment to organizational health and wellness
• Work/life balance
• DNR Employee Resource Groups (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, Women’s Employee Resource Group, Veterans Employee Resource Group, etc.)
• Statewide Employee Business Resource Groups, visit here to learn more
• Leadership that empowers and supports employees
• Professional development opportunities
• Educational and career development aid
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
• Opportunities to participate in wildland fire suppression assignments
• A comprehensive benefits package that includes employer contributions toward health insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans, sick leave, and vacation days. Visit http://careers.wa.gov/benefits.html for more information.

Additional Information:
This recruitment may be extended and may also be used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty (60) days.
 
DNR does not use the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Veterans wishing to claim Veteran’s preference please attach a copy of your DD-214, NGB-22, or other verification of military service. Please black out your social security number prior to attaching it. We thank you and are grateful for your service!

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Once you submit your online application, you can check your status by logging into your account. If you experience technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application call 360-664-1960 or 1-877-664-1960 or email [email protected].

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