Aircraft Dispatch Coordinator, Wildland Fire Program Coordinator 1

About the role

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Coordination Center is seeking a Wildfire Aircraft Dispatch Coordinator (Wildland Fire Coordinator 1). This position reports to the DNR CC Center Manager and coordinates with Aviation Assistant Division Manager and other Aviation Program staff.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with the DNR Air Operations Support Coordinator to obtain the Aviation Exclusive Use and Call When Needed Aviation Agreements, Amendments, and Contract Numbers.
• Transfer and/or accept or accept aircraft transferred in IROC between the Washington State DNR Coordination Center WA-WAC) and sending or receiving dispatch centers.
• Ensure that before transfer, the sending/receiving dispatch center has obtained the correct DNR aircraft agreement number(s) and dispatch center unit identifiers.
• Communicate with statewide surge aircraft via radio console and log activity in WildCADe.
• Track aircraft resources during fire suppression and non-fire suppression activities using systems such as Automated Flight Following (AFF) and WildCADe.
• Relay status updates to region dispatch centers, fire managers, and incident commanders.
• Coordinate with aviation staff and region dispatch centers to ensure resource orders for aviation assets are properly executed statewide.
• Coordinate with Dispatch Centers or WFMD Aviation staff to obtain or create the Tactical Aircraft Request Orders (TARO) for DNR aviation resources dispatched to incidents.
• Ensure TAROs are attached to the IROC resource orders.
• Implement formal procedures requiring all region dispatch centers or the NW Coordination Center to submit detection flight requests through a unified process, either directly to the “HUB” or coordinated through the DNR CC Aircraft Coordinator.
• Coordinate with the Region dispatch centers to document aircraft dispatched to the NW Compact partners.
• Provide flight following when regional dispatch centers are not staffed, ensuring communication and coordination with pilots and air operations.
• Collaborate with helicopter managers, air attack, and other dispatchers and coordinators during initial attack to ensure efficient and safe dispatch of air resources.
• Avoid creating and submitting Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) based on fire complexity and location.
• If WNG Aircraft are requested to be mobilized, communicate promptly with the DNR CC Center Manager, DNR Aviation personnel, and State EMD personnel.
• Upload IROC aviation resource orders into the State EMD WebEOC Mission Tracker.
• Work with the Center Manager to determine staffing needs for the Aircraft Desk based on current and expected wildfire conditions and severity.
• Request funding if needed to schedule qualified and trainee Aircraft Dispatchers primarily between July and September, or as needed, based on fire activity and preparedness levels.
• Oversee and train detailed dispatchers or other personnel involved in aircraft dispatch operations, including on-the-job training, simulation exercises, and reviews of aircraft protocols and safety plans.
• Maintain an HB 1498 Excel spreadsheet with date, name of fire, and DNR aviation resources on each fire to provide to WFMD Aviation staff.

Qualifications

• You must meet all the Required Qualifications and Competencies to be considered for this position.
• Completed FEMA ICS 100, 200, 700, and 800 courses.
• Qualified Expanded Dispatch Recorder (EDRC).
• Qualified Initial Attack Dispatcher (IADP).
• Experience with understanding complex rules, legal documents, plans, agreements, and contracts.
• Knowledge of fire suppression principles/techniques and resource capabilities/limitations.

Desired Qualifications

• Qualified Aircraft Dispatcher (ACDP) or Aircraft Dispatcher Trainee.
• FEMA ICS 100, 200, 700 and 800 certificates.