What are the responsibilities and job description for the Wildland Fire & Resource Technician 1 - Long-Term Non-Perm position at State of Alaska?
The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, is recruiting for two Wildland Fire & Resource Technician 1 positions in Glennallen, Alaska.
***Now offering a 30% mission-critical incentive pay bonus***
What You Will Be Doing:
The Division of Forestry and Fire Protection, Copper River Office, seeks motivated individuals to join our Wildland Fire and Resource Technicians team. This non-permanent seasonal position is staffed for 6-9 months annually to provide initial attack wildfire suppression for the State of Alaska. There may be opportunities for out-of-state fire assignments and additional fuels mitigation work outside of fire season.
Mission and Values/Culture:
The Division of Forestry & Fire Protection fosters a mission-driven culture and is responsible for protecting Alaska’s values, including life and property, from wildland fire. The Division works closely with federal, state, and local emergency response agencies and private industry vendors to provide wildland fire management and protection for the State of Alaska.
Benefits of Joining Our Team:
Through a letter of agreement, this position receives a 30% increase in the base salary rate. The salary posted on this recruitment reflects the increased rate. This position also receives a 25% increase in pay based on hazardous conditions through a hazard pay letter of agreement.
The benefits of joining the DOF team include the opportunity to work with dedicated professionals to achieve fire, fuels, and forestry goals. The opportunity to work in a professional environment that supports State of Alaska and the Division of Natural Resources' goals and objectives to support Alaska residents, businesses, and the economy
The Working Environment You Can Expect:
The Valdez / Copper River Area maintains its base of operations in a relatively central location within the protection area. At milepost 110 on the Richardson Highway, just south of the Tazlina River near its confluence with the Copper, the campus is found on a timbered gravel bench bearing evidence of geologic and archeological interest. Across the Copper River, Wrangell St. Elias National Park cannot be ignored, with the massive peaks of Sanford, Drum, Wrangell, and Blackburn dominating the eastern skyline. Approximately six miles north is Glennallen, the Area’s commercial center with schools, grocery stores, banks, fuel, various government offices, and other services.
The VCRA initial attack base includes an administration building, a separate operations and training office, and a combined maintenance shop/supply cache. Helibase for our exclusive use helicopter. The core staff includes seven WFRTs, an Administrative Assistant, an Assistant Fire Management Officer, and a Fire Management Officer. Additional personnel may be hired in non-permanent and/or emergency (EFF) capacities as determined by budgetary allowances, weather indices and the area staffing and action guide. Although every permanent staff member has a detailed position description with clearly stated duties and responsibilities, challenging each other to do more with less is a requirement. It contributes much to the cohesiveness and effectiveness of this small team.
Most values at risk are found within the highway corridors and are designated as critical or full suppression priorities. Large tracts of white and black spruce are almost always found abutting property receiving the critical and full classifications. Local weather patterns are unique and directly related to the Copper River Basin’s proximity to the Gulf of Alaska and surrounding high mountainous terrain. It is not uncommon to experience opposite conditions of adjacent protection areas.
We are looking for a candidate who possesses the following position-specific competencies.
- Fire Operations: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of fire operations, including the characteristics, behavior, and ecology of fire; methodologies, strategies, and equipment used in prescribed fires; fire detection, prevention, and suppression strategies; and integration of fire with natural resource operations.
- Decision Making: Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.
- Integrity/Honesty: Contributes to maintaining the integrity of the organization; displays high standards of ethical conduct and understands the impact of violating these standards on an organization, self, and others; is trustworthy.
- Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.
- Stress Tolerance: Deals calmly and effectively with high stress situations (for example, tight deadlines, hostile individuals, emergency situations, dangerous situations).
- Technical Competence: Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues
Click here to learn more about working for the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection.
Minimum Qualifications
Must be eighteen years of age.
Special Note:
Some positions require a commercial driver's license with appropriate endorsements.
Additional Required Information
** Please read the information below carefully. **
At the time of the interview, please ensure that you provide the following materials:
- A list of two professional references with current contact information, with at least one being a current or former supervisor.
- A copy of any forestry and/or fire-related training certificates or IQS Master record, and current Incident Qualification Card (red card)
- A copy of your two most recent performance evaluations or a letter of reference if evaluations are unavailable.
SPECIAL NOTICES
Fire Management Program:
- Develop a working knowledge of fire suppression and fuels management techniques, practices, and terminology.
- Assist with maintaining fire readiness for assigned engines, helicopter, and personal gear.
- Learn fire management program requirements, suppression tactics, methods, and procedures in the use and maintenance of wildland firefighting hand tools, pumps, hoses, chainsaws, GPS units, compasses, and other related fire suppression equipment.
- Attend basic forestry courses such as basic fire orientation and firefighting.
- Learn procedures for operating emergency vehicles, including negotiating through traffic with red lights and a siren.
- Learn safety procedures for field work and fire suppression, firefighting tactics, fire prevention and detection, and evidence preservation.
- Participate as a member of a fire engine crew or fire suppression crew performing elementary tasks.
- Learn to accurately record time sheets, leave slips, and related administrative documents as directed.
- Perform as a trainee in various assigned positions under the Incident Command System (ICS) on wildland fires.
- Learn and apply the laws, rules, standards, and codes used to administer the prevention program and issue burn permits. Learn to conduct site inspections, enforce the burn permit program, and conduct the Smokey Bear fire prevention programs to local schools, day care centers, and youth groups.
- Learn to properly record field notes.
Forestry Resources Program:
- Develop a working knowledge of forest resources program support work and terminology.
- Participate in basic forestry training such as mapping, planting, thinning, and cruising.
- Learn to identify tree species and to determine and record forest measurements such as tree heights, diameters, and ages.
- Learn basic timber sale layout techniques, such as locating the sale area, determining timber types, and marking the sale boundary areas.
- Learn to operate and use field equipment such as chainsaws, GPS, timber maps, and hand tools.
- Ability to communicate effectively with the public and co-workers.
- Ability to perform strenuous work in adverse environmental conditions, lift and carry heavy loads, and use hand tools to construct fire lines.
- Ability to follow oral and written instructions, learn and retain information, ask questions and elicit required information, speak and write clearly and effectively.
- Ability to learn fieldwork procedures and routines, use measurement tools, and record field notes.
- Ability to perform basic arithmetic operations, which may involve fractions, decimals, and percentages.
- Ability to learn basic map drafting techniques and to interpret and navigate from maps.
- Ability to make decisions and maintain calm behavior in stressful situations.
- Ability to safely operate non-commercial motorized vehicles and firefighting equipment.
- Ability to perform strenuous physical work in adverse environmental conditions, lift and carry heavy loads, and use hand tools to construct fire lines.
- Ability to work and live cooperatively with others over an extended period of time in remote, primitive field camp conditions and work outside in all weather conditions and in a smoky environment.
- Must be eighteen years of age.
- Applicant must pass the Work Capacity Test at the “Arduous” level as defined in Federal Publication PMS 307, Work Capacity Test Administrator’s Guide. This test requires that the applicant complete a 3-mile Hike carrying a 45-pound pack over level terrain in 45 minutes or less.
- Positions may require travel both in and out-of-state for fire suppression assignments: must be on standby or recall status during the fire season: must be available for assignments in and out of area that requires the absence from the duty station for 14 to 21 days: must fly in small, fixed wing aircraft or helicopters: and handling hazardous materials.
Application Notice
You can ONLY apply for this position through the Workplace Alaska website or a hard copy application. Instructions on how to apply with Workplace Alaska may be found on the Workplace Alaska “How to Apply" page. Your application must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Alaska Standard Time on the closing date.
Supplemental Questions
For your application to be evaluated, you must answer the Supplemental Questions. The State of Alaska (SOA) uses four proficiency levels to measure and describe an applicant’s level of competence in applying certain behaviors, knowledge, skills, and abilities to accomplish a specific task. The four proficiency levels are Mastery, Fluency, Literacy, and Discovery. You must rate your proficiency level for each competency listed in the supplemental questions.
Education
If post-secondary education is required to meet the minimum qualifications, you must fill out the Education section of the application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the units completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials if used to meet the minimum qualifications for a position.
Special Instructions for Foreign Education
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the minimum qualifications listed above. If utilizing this education, you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the post-secondary institution. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.
Work Experience
If using work experience not already documented in your application, also provide the employer’s name, job title, employment dates, and whether full or part-time. Applications will be reviewed to determine whether the responses are supported and minimum qualifications are clearly met. If they are not, the applicant may not advance to the recruitment interview and selection phase.
Note: Attaching a resume is not an alternative to filling out the application entirely. Noting, "see resume" or any similar response on any portion of your application may lead to a determination that your application is incomplete and removal from consideration for this job posting.
Bargaining Unit
If you are a current state employee, please mark the union you are a member of at the time of application. Do not complete this question if you are not a current state employee.
Multiple Vacancies
This recruitment may be used for more than one (1) vacancy. The Department of Natural Resources may use the applicant pool acquired during this recruitment for future vacancies for up to ninety (90) days after this recruitment closes.
Firearms
This position requires the use or possession of a firearm or ammunition. In accordance with the federal Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act of 1997 (PL 104-208), if you have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, you may not hold this position.
A "misdemeanor crime of domestic violence" is an offense that is (1) a misdemeanor under Federal or state law and (2) has, as an element, the use or attempted use of physical force or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, committed by a current or former spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabiting with or has cohabited with the victim as a spouse, parent, or guardian, or by a person similarly situated to a spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim.
If you have ever been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, do NOT apply for this position.
EEO STATEMENT
The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats should call 1-800-587-0430 or (907) 465-4095 in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or 1-800-770-8973 or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at P.O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer.
Please be sure to check your junk folder for any messages that may be sent to you about this recruitment.
Contact Information
Workplace Alaska Application Questions & Assistance
Questions regarding application submission or system operation errors should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 1-800-587-0430 (toll-free) or (907) 465-4095 if you are in the Juneau area. Requests for information may also be emailed to recruitment.services@alaska.gov.
For assistance with your password, please visit the reset password page.
For specific information about this position, please get in touch with the hiring manager at the following:
Dan White
Assistant Fire Management Officer
Phone: 907-535-1493
Email: daniel.white@alaska.gov
Careers with the State of Alaska offer MANY benefits
The following information describes typical benefits available to employees of the State of Alaska. Actual benefits received may differ by bargaining unit or branch of government, position type, or be prorated for other than full time work.
For a quick breakdown of the insurance, health, and retirement benefits available for State Employees you can view an orientation video from Division of Retirement and Benefits. (Please note this video is specifically designed for new State Employees.)
Insurance Benefits
- Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental
- The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See https://drb.alaska.gov/help/plans.html for additional information.
- AVTEC
- Confidential
- Correctional Officers
- Marine Engineers
- Mt. Edgecumbe Teachers
- Supervisory
- Unlicensed Vessel Personnel/Inland Boatman's Union
- Exempt employees (not covered by collective bargaining)
- The following employee groups are covered by Union health trusts. Contact the appropriate Union for additional information.
- General Government
- Labor, Trades and Crafts
- Public Safety Employees Association
- Masters, Mates & Pilots
- The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See https://drb.alaska.gov/help/plans.html for additional information.
- Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)
Optional Insurance Benefits
- Group-based insurance premiums for
- Term life (employee, spouse or qualified same sex partner, and dependents)
- Long-term and short-term disability
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment
- Long-term care (self and eligible family members)
- Supplemental Survivor Benefits
- Employee-funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses
Retirement Benefits
- Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)
- Matching employer contribution into a defined contribution program (new employees)
- Employer contribution into a defined benefit or defined contribution program (current employees)
- Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan in lieu of contributions to Social Security
- Option to enroll in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program
- Note: The Defined Contribution Plan, Supplemental Annuity Plan and Deferred Compensation Program offer a variety of investment options
See https://drb.alaska.gov/retiree/ for additional information
Paid Leave & Other Benefits- Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
- Twelve (12) paid holidays a year
