WILDLAND FIRE & RESOURCE TECH 3 / HOTSHOT LEAD FIREFIGHTER / PIONEER PEAK IHC (PCNs 10-N17029-32)

***Now offering a 30% mission-critical incentive pay bonus***

What You Will Be Doing

The Pioneer Peak Interagency Hotshot Crew is recruiting for an IHC Lead Firefighter. This position is ranked as a Wildfire and Resource Technician 3. This position is hired under the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, Mat-Su/Southwest Area, specifically for our Pioneer Peak Interagency Hotshot Crew. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated individual to join our team by becoming a member of our Type 1 Hotshot Agency Wildfire Crew. This position will help organize and supervise a squad of 5-15 firefighters on a Type I Interagency Hotshot Crew, perform as an Incident Commander during the initial attack of low complexity wildland fires, operate saws and pumps on initial attack or extended attack fires, provide input on fire line placement, and provide thorough safety briefings for assigned firefighters. 

Mission and Culture

The State of Alaska, Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, Mat-Su/Southwest Area Office proudly serves Alaskans through wildland fire suppression, management, and control. The Pioneer Peak Interagency Hotshot Crew is a State of Alaska Fire Crew whose main objective is to support our local area, Alaska, and our Nation with a production-oriented fire management service and all hazard response. Pioneer Peak IHC is dedicated to overcoming all odds at the individual and crew levels to provide a production-oriented wildfire management service. Our goal is to build better humans, firefighters, and leaders through hard work, training, and personal dedication. Duty, Respect, and Integrity are applied to all aspects of our work as professional wildland firefighters.

Core Responsibilities 

• Help organize and supervise a squad of 5-15 firefighters on a Type I Interagency Hotshot Crew.
• Ability and experience in instructing NWCG courses and willingness to develop and lead training in basic wildland fire principles. 
• Perform as an Incident Commander during the initial attack of low complexity wildland fires, operate saws and pumps, provide input on fire line placement, and provide thorough safety briefings for assigned firefighters.

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.
• You will work in a leadership environment with high expectations for everyone involved.
• As a Crew Member on Pioneer Peak, you will work with a highly efficient, very productive team that uses solid communication and aggressive tactics to accomplish goals safely and effectively.
• You will push yourself mentally and physically to achieve things you did not think possible. 
• You will be a part of something greater than yourself and have a sense of family and civic purpose.

The Working Environment You Can Expect

• Based out of Palmer, Alaska.
• Dispatched Nationally and to Canada to respond to fires and all risk incidents.
• Working and living in remote environments with no internet or cell service. 
• 14-21 days hiking to work, performing manual labor tasks. 
• Working as a single resource or as part of a team.

The knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies needed to be successful in this position include:

• Leading firefighters in fire suppression activities, using safe tactics and strategies based on fire behavior and understanding of the 10 and 18.
• Operating pumps, chainsaws, and hand tools to suppress wildland fires.
• Working knowledge of the Incident Command System, hand crew tactics, heavy equipment use, and aerial retardant support in wildland fire suppression as well as a basic understanding of helicopter operations and wildland engine tactics.
• Performing preventative maintenance of equipment assigned to the crew, including keeping fire vehicles in safe operational order, overseeing of chainsaw maintenance and readiness, and ensuring assigned personnel are equipped with proper PPE.

Click here to learn more about working for the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection.

Twelve months of wildland fire fighting or forestry field experience, of which at least six months was at the developmental level. The required developmental experience is met by service as a Wildland Fire and Resource Technician 2 with the State of Alaska or the equivalent with another employer.
And
Red Card qualification under the National Incident Qualification System (see required job qualifications special note).

Substitution:
Completed coursework from an accredited college or vocational technical school in forestry, fire science, or a closely related field may substitute for the six months of general field experience. (For college 3 semester hours or 4 quarter hours equal one month of work experience. Transcripts or a letter from a vocational technical school must indicate a college credit equivalency for the completed coursework. For example, at Alaska Vocational Technical Center: Forest Ecology = 3 semester credits; Forest Regeneration = 2 semester credits; Timber Harvesting and Sale Administration = 4 semester credits; and Wildland Fire Management = 3 semester credits.)

There is no substitution for the six months of developmental experience.
There is no substitution for the National Incident Qualification System (Red Card) qualifications.

Special Note: 
Applicants must be at least eighteen years of age.

Most positions require National Incident Qualification System certifications. Because there are different specialty areas in this field, recruitment and selection will be made from among those candidates who meet the experience and the basic National Incident Qualification System training requirements specifically listed within the recruitment bulletin. The specialty areas are within one of the following functions: fire operations, wildland fire prevention, and aviation support.

Applicant must be able to pass the Work Capacity Test at the "Arduous" level as defined in Federal Publication PMS 307, Work Capacity Test Administrator' 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.

Applicant must possess an Alaska driver's license. An individual without an Alaska driver's license, who meets the minimum age and experience requirements, may apply for the vacancy. An applicant qualifying under this option may receive a job offer conditional upon acquisition of an Alaska driver's license. Proof of licensure will be required prior to reporting to duty.

Positions may require travel both in and out-of-state for fire suppression assignments; stand-by or recall status during the fire season; must be available for assignments in and out of the area that requires the absence from the duty station for 14 to 21 days; flying in small fixed wing aircraft or helicopters, and handling hazardous materials.

Some positions may require a commercial driver's license with appropriate endorsements.

**NOTE: PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY**

At the time of application, the applicant must attach as individual documents the following items (If unable to attach documents, please fax or email the contact listed below):

If selected for an interview, the applicant must provide the following:

• Resume.
• Three professional references.
• Valid driver’s license.

SPECIAL NOTICES

• This position requires frequent travel within Alaska and to the Lower 48 States for periods of up to 30 days.
• This position requires a commitment to long hours, sometimes in excess of 16 hours.
• This position requires the ability to work and live in remote primitive locations.

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. 

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. 

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: Kris Baumgartner

Title: Crew Superintendent

Phone: 907-841-9716

Fax: 907-761-6319

Email: kris.baumgartner@alaska.gov

Salary : $30