What are the responsibilities and job description for the Forester 2 Area Resource Forester (PCN 10-9852) position at State of Alaska?
What You Will Be Doing
The State of Alaska seeks a professional forester to join our team focused on Alaska’s forest management responsibilities in the temperate rain forest of Southeast Alaska; the organization functions in the dynamic and diverse geographic setting of Alaska and the many opportunities it offers. A forester in the position can expect to be involved in a variety of projects. The work requires a robust presence in the field that the incumbent supports with similar time in the office. The Division seeks individuals interested in growth or advancement in our organization.
Mission and Culture
The mission of the Division of Forestry is to develop, conserve, and enhance Alaska’s forests to provide a sustainable supply of forest resources for Alaskans. We are leaders in forest management, forest practices, wildland fire management, and cooperative forestry programs across the state. Our influence crosses ownership boundaries through leadership of all-risk incident management teams, management of federal timber resources under the Good Neighbor Authority, and up-to-date best management practices that apply to all commercial forests.
Core Responsibilities
This position prepares commercial timber sales and is instrumental in planning and implementing sale layout, timber cruising and sale administration. The position works alone and in small teams in remote and rural forests. As part of sale administration, the forester is expected to document in a professional manner, provide direction, and influence timber sale purchasers, contractors and the public to protect the interests of the State. Part of the position’s time may also focus on administration of the Alaska Forest Practices Act on private land. The position will spend time in the office planning for field work, processing information gathered, communicating on subject matters in written and verbal forms to represent and resolve issues.
Benefits of Joining Our Team
The work provides exposure to Alaska's unique physical and cultural environment. The Southeast Alaska Archipelago has abundant forest and aquatic resources. Island life and public land dominate the landscape. Forest management in the area is transitioning from old growth to young growth management. Work in this position and environment will provide many opportunities to adapt lessons learned elsewhere and to develop new approaches in contemporary forest management. Demand for active management by the forest industry from all land is significant. Staffing in the organization is lean, providing opportunity for broad exposure to our variety of missions; there are multiple options for long term growth and advancement in both the resources and fire programs. Career long training and innovation is a building block of our culture. Work schedules vary with the season; summer tends to provide extended weather and long daylight opportunities for project work which can in turn provide blocks of time off to enjoy the location’s outdoor opportunities.
The Working Environment You Can Expect
The job is based in the Ketchikan office is composed of a team of four people. The amount of office time varies with the season and the ongoing operational needs. The balance of office to field work is approximately 50/50 over the span of the year. Most of the fieldwork is located on other islands and requires periods of travel. Time in the field will vary from one day to two weeks; most travel lasts less than a week. Accommodations when traveling are typically at hotels, short-term rentals, and occasionally remote camps. Most accommodations are in small communities.
Who We Are Looking For
To be successful in this position, a candidate will need the following position-specific competencies:
- Self-starter who can identify issues and develop solutions, is accountable, and is an effective communicator.
- Experience with contract administration and timber sales planning, including road and unit design.
- Knowledge and experience with timber cruising.
- Proficient in written and oral communication and GIS software.
Click here to learn more about working for the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection.
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college in forestry, natural resources, or a closely related field that includes a minimum of 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours in forestry or closely related curricula.And Either
One year of professional entry level forestry experience. The required experience is met by service as Forester 1 with the State of Alaska, or the equivalent with another employer.
Or
Three years of journey level technical experience in fire or forest resources management. This experience includes work such as Natural Resource Technician 3, Wildland Fire and Resource Technician 3, Wildland Forestry Technician 2, or Wildland Fire Dispatcher 2 with the State of Alaska, or the equivalent with another employer.
Substitutions:
A master's degree from an accredited college in forestry, natural resources, or a closely related field that includes a minimum of 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours in forestry or closely related curricula will substitute for the entry level experience.
Four years in any combination of post secondary education from an accredited college
that includes a minimum of 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours in forestry, natural resources, or a closely related field AND journey level experience in the technical aspects of forest management and practices, such as fire prevention, suppression, timber sales, reforestation or inventory may substitute for the required bachelor's degree. (2.67 semester or 4 quarter hours of post-secondary education are equal to one month of experience). The experience includes work such as Natural Resource Technician 3, Wildland Fire and Resource Technician 3, Wildland Forestry Technician 2, or Wildland Fire Dispatcher 2 with the State of Alaska, or the equivalent with another employer.
Certification from an accredited vocational technical school in forestry, natural resource management, or a closely related field and three years of journey level experience in the technical aspects of forest management and practices such as fire prevention, suppression, timber sales, reforestation, or inventory may substitute for the required bachelor's degree. This experience includes work such as Natural Resource Technician 3, Wildland Fire and Resource Technician 3, Wildland Forestry Technician 2, or Wildland Fire Dispatcher 2 with the State of Alaska, or the equivalent with another employer.
Certification via NWCG (National Wildfire Coordinating Group) Incident Qualification Card (AKA 'red card') within the preceding three (3) years in any of the following will substitute for the required education:
Special Note:
Closely related curricula and work experience includes fields such as: geosciences, geography, natural resources, environmental sciences, soils, hydrology, wildlife habitat management, forest engineering, remote sensing, vegetation classification, natural resource bio-metrics, and wildland fire control.
One year of work experience equals 12 months of seasonal work.
Positions may require travel both in and out-of-state for fire suppression assignments; may be on stand-by or recall status during the fire season; may be assigned work in and out of the area that requires the absence from the duty station for 14 to 21 days; may fly in small fixed wing aircraft or helicopters and handle hazardous materials.
Most positions require "Red Card" qualification under the Incident Command System.
Some positions may require a commercial driver's license with appropriate endorsements.
**NOTE: PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY**
If selected for an interview, the applicant must provide the following:
- Cover letter – Your cover letter should be two to three paragraphs in length (no longer than one page) and address your knowledge and experience as it relates to the desired position-specific competencies listed above. Your cover letter will serve as a writing sample and will be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment.
- Job resume, complete with supervisor contact information.
- Copy of current driver’s license.
- Two most current evaluations from previous/current employer.
- Two professional references with contact information: phone and email.
- Copy of current NWCG red card (if you have one).
SPECIAL NOTICES
- Position may require travel both in and out-of-state for fire suppression assignments; may be on stand-by or recall status during the fire season; may be assigned work in and out of the area that requires the absence from the duty station for 14 to 21 days.
- Position travels frequently and on an indeterminate schedule as part of forest resources practices and contract administration. Travel associated with timber sale preparation occurs in a more planned manner and is subject to a variety of logistical constraints. Most travel requires overnight travel and for less than one week from the duty station.
Application Notice
You can ONLY apply for this position through the Workplace Alaska website or a hardcopy 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.
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.
Driver’s License Requirement
Applicants must possess a valid driver's license. Proof of licensure will be required prior to reporting to duty.
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, please call 1-800-587-0430 or 465-4095 in Juneau or (907) 465-3412 (TTY) 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.
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:
Name: Greg Staunton
Title: Area Forester
Phone: 907-225-3070
Email: greg.staunton@alaska.gov
Salary : $30
