Fuels Planner (EM-44666)

CLOSING DATE: November 21, 2025

POSITION: Fuels Planner

SALARY: $32.40 - $37.57

REPORTS TO: Fuels Manager

LOCATION: Keller, Washington (San Poil)

Basic Functions: This is a non-exempt position. The primary purpose of this position is to direct prescribed fire/fuels management program that includes fuels management activities and functions at the district level. These functions include prescribed fire, mechanical and biological fuels treatments. At this grade level, the incumbent analyzes variables such as weather, fuels (type and condition), topography, fire behavior, management objectives and resource protection concerns, strategies and tactics, resource availability and capability, smoke impacts, employee and public safety, etc., and selects the appropriate strategy for implementing fuels management projects. May be responsible for emergency stabilization and rehabilitation (ESR) or other community assistance programs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Training:

• Typically requires a bachelor's or higher degree that includes a major field of study or specific course requirements in forestry, natural resource management, or related disciplines appropriate to the position, and 4 years of progressive experience.

  AND

  Applicant must have possessed the following qualifications and training requirements to be or have the ability to acquire within 4 years of employment to be considered eligible for this position:

• Primary Core Qualification: Engine Boss (ENGB) or Crew Boss (CRWB) or Firing Boss (FIRB), or Helicopter Manager (HMGB) or higher and Prescribed Fire Burn Boss(RXB2)
• Secondary Core Qualification: Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4) or higher.
• The employee has a primary core requirement to be qualified as a RXB2, and a secondary core requirement to be qualified as an ICT4 or TFLD or HEBM.
• Also requires a valid driver’s license and be eligible for the Tribes’ vehicle insurance and maintain throughout employment. Requires a U.S. Government Motor Vehicle Operator’s Identification Card. May require certification to use/operate specialized fire equipment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Requires professional knowledge of natural resources management, fire ecology, fire behavior, and fire management theories, concepts, principles, and standards in a wildland fire environment sufficient to develop and manage a fuels management program in a district.
• Requires knowledge of the policies, techniques and practices of wildland firefighting obtained through considerable amount of service as a primary firefighter of the Federal government or in a similar firefighting position outside the federal government. This is a mandatory requirement of this position.
• Requires fundamental knowledge of related fields of science (e.g., wildlife management, botany, hydrology, geology, archaeology).
• Requires knowledge of the effects of fuels management, prescribed fire, and wildfire for resource benefit on natural and cultural resources to prepare complex fuels management plans.
• Requires knowledge of environmental laws, regulations, and policies including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Clean Air Act, Threatened and Endangered Species Act, and the Wilderness Act sufficient to produce environmentally sound and defensible documents.
• Requires knowledge of accepted wildland fire safety practices and procedures.
• Requires knowledge of computer applications and software for a variety of fuels management uses.
• Requires knowledge of budgeting policy, procedures and techniques sufficient to develop program budgets and annual work plans.
• Requires knowledge of contracting procedures and ability to serve as a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).
• Requires skill in oral and written communication sufficient to prepare reports, present training, and coordinate work efforts.
• Requires knowledge of supervisory procedures and methods to manage a fuels assistant.
• Requires the skill to manage a variety of complex prescribed fire, wildfire response, and fuels management support functions, each involving numerous procedures and operating requirements.
• Requires broad latitude for independent action due to the wide range of variables under which the work is accomplished.
• Requires the ability to interact with individuals and special interest groups with diverse and potentially conflicting viewpoints regarding natural and cultural resources management priorities.
• Requires the ability to implement plans and carry out major tasks in accordance with priorities and deadlines provided.
• Requires the ability to perform assignments without specific instructions in accordance with policy and accepted practices.
• Requires the ability to work independently, plan and coordinate with others in determining methods of accomplishments.
• Requires the ability to interpret and analyze environmental influences and fire behavior, make judgments, and adjust tactics as conditions change.
• Requires the ability to make critical decisions under pressure and taking into consideration complex variables such as weather, fuels (type and condition), topography, fire behavior, management objectives and resources protection concerns, strategies and tactics, resource availability and capability, employee and public safety.
• Requires the ability to make critical decisions under pressure taking into consideration an additional layer to the complexity are factors such as different types of treatment; social, political, and economic issues; higher complexity fuels treatment projects; resource and property values at risk; smoke management requirements; multiple jurisdictions, frequent use of aviation operations or support; and intra/interagency coordination requirements.
• Requires the ability to evaluate a considerable amount of data in formulating the appropriate strategy into an effective prescribed fire/fuels management program.
• Requires the ability to react quickly and perform multiple, unrelated simultaneous assignments along with other competing demands in the work environment.
• Requires the ability to rely on experience and uses judgement in adapting techniques, methods or established practices to complete assignments and achieve objectives.

• Work in the office is primarily sedentary. Field work does require frequent physical exertion, involving walking over rough terrain, sometimes for extended periods, and working under occasionally inclement (hot, cold, snow, wind, etc.) weather conditions.

• The incumbent must be in good physical condition in order to safety perform field activities.

• The incumbent must be able to perform duties in areas of uncontrolled wildfire where hazardous conditions exist. The incumbent must be able to fly as a passenger in helicopters and single engine fixed wing aircraft.

• Requires the ability to adjust and cope with exposure to adverse weather elements, dust and smoke, poor sleeping and eating conditions and unpredictable sets of circumstances.

• Requires the ability to work and drive in adverse weather conditions.

• Requires strenuous activities under rigorous fieldwork conditions during emergency situations that require above average physical performance, endurance and superior conditioning. Operation of some specialized fire equipment can place extended physical stress on employee during fire activities.

Note: Pursuant to Tribal Policy, if this position is safety sensitive it is subject to pre-employment drug testing. In addition, this position is subject to reasonable suspicion and post-accident drug testing.

TRIBAL MEMBER AND INDIAN PREFERENCE WILL APPLY; PREFERENCE WILL ALSO BE GIVEN TO HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERANS WHO ARE MINIMALLY QUALIFIED.

If required of this position, you must possess and maintain a valid Washington State driver’s license and be eligible for the Tribes’ Vehicle Insurance. In addition, this position may be subject to pre-employment background clearances. If applicable, these clearances must be maintained throughout employment.

INFORMATION: Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Human Resources Office, P. O. Box 150, Nespelem, WA 99155, Esmeralda.mosqueda.hrs@colvilletribes.com 509-634-2295.