Director of Appeals

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is recruiting for a Director of Appeals to work in the Office of the Commissioner.

The Director acts at the direction of the Commissioner and on behalf of the Commissioner to manage DNR’s administrative appeals program. This includes managing procedural matters in the appeals docket, consultation with staff within DNR and with the Department of Law, and decision drafting.

This position also functions as the Designated Ethics Supervisor (DES) for the Department. Your role as the DES involves preventing violations of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act, reporting on ethics activities, and investigating potential violations of the act.

The Appeals Director supervises a full-time Deputy Director of Appeals that also serves in the DNR Office of the Commissioner from Anchorage.

Our Organization, Mission, and Culture
The Office of the Commissioner oversees our Department’s mission to “develop, conserve, and maximize the use of Alaska’s natural resources consistent with the public interest,” which requires heavy collaboration across our Divisions, and effective and efficient administrative processes.

This position will work with staff throughout the Department, including administrative and executive-level employees, to meet our short and long-term goals in support of achieving our mission. The incumbent will serve as a resource for staff across the State of Alaska who perform work for the Department of Natural Resources.

Joining Our Team
This Department is responsible for managing one of the largest natural resource portfolios in the world on behalf of the Alaskan public, and the Director of Appeals is responsible for helping the Commissioner adjudicate disputes, including complex and commercially consequential disputes, about these resource management activities.

Work Environment
The Commissioner’s Office team is a professional, dynamic, fast-paced group with staff dedicated to serving our mission. The incumbent will have an office in the Robert B. Atwood building on the 14th floor in downtown Anchorage. Telework opportunities will be available for individuals to work from home on a hybrid schedule as business needs allow. The incumbent works directly under the Commissioner, while also functioning independently to assist and coordinate with Department staff statewide.

Who We Are Looking For:
To be successful in this position, a candidate will possess knowledge, skills, and abilities in the following core competencies:

• Accountability: Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for own actions and decisions. Complies with established control systems and rules.
• Administrative Law: Knowledge of state and Federal administrative laws, including procedures, regulations, guidelines, and precedents related to case preparation and settlements.
• Written Communication: Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
• 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.
• Analytical Thinking/Problem Solving: uses a logical, systematic, sequential approach to address problems or opportunities or manage a situation by drawing on one’s knowledge and experience base and calling on other references and resources as necessary.

**If you see yourself excelling in this position, please apply**

Minimum Qualifications

Additional Required Information

Contact Information

If you have questions about the position, please contact Deputy Commissioner John Crowther at the same email address above.

• 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
• Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)

• 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

• 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

• Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
• Twelve (12) paid holidays a year