Wildland Fire & Resource Technician 2/3 - Initial Attack/Prevention Technition (PCN 10-9527)

The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, is recruiting for a Wildland Fire & Resource Technician 2/3 in Delta Junction, Alaska.

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

What You Will Be Doing:  

This is a Wildland Fire Tech 2/3 flex hire.  You will be working with and under the direction of the Suppression Foreman. The WF&R Technician will be suppressing wildland fire in the role of engine, hand crew or helitack, crewmember utilizing hand tools, chainsaws, water pumps and hoses; cutting down and mitigating hazardous fuels to help protect communities from wildfires; and will participate in fire prevention activities. You will develop knowledge, skills, and abilities as needed to manage and suppress fires through regular physical fitness, attending fire course training, and participating in simulations. 

Mission and Values/Culture:  

The Division of Forestry & Fire Protection's mission is to develop, conserve, and enhance Alaska’s forests to provide Alaskans a sustainable supply of forest resources. The goal of the Fire Program is to provide safe, cost-effective, and efficient fire protection services and related fire and aviation management activities on state, private, and municipal lands, as well as lands negotiated through agreements commensurate with values at risk. The Delta Junction WF&R technicians are a small, capable team of 9 personnel committed to exceptional service. In your role, you will work as a crew member to actively engage in wildfire suppression, lead emergency firefighters to ensure that lives, property, and natural resources are protected from fire, and develop the firefighting knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform at the journey level. We embrace the values of duty, respect, and integrity and take pride in providing wildland fire protection and prevention services to the 3.6 million acres of the Delta Junction and beyond. As a station member, you will be included in numerous aspects of wildland fire suppression at your level with the opportunity to grow your skills and develop your knowledge and qualifications.

Benefits of Joining Our Team:  

Through a letter of agreement, this position receives a 30% increase to 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.

As a permanent seasonal wildland firefighter, you enjoy benefits such as increased training opportunities and assignments in remote Alaska while protecting communities and natural resources. Do you like arduous work outdoors?   Do you enjoy being physically active and working as a part of a team? The qualifications that you earn are nationally recognized and provide for upward mobility. Your position includes health insurance, retirement, and vacation benefits.

The Working Environment You Can Expect:  

This position is based out of the Initial Attack Operations Building on the Delta Forestry Station centrally located on the facility with views of the Alaska mountain range. Many of the duties performed in the job require considerable physical exertion, working outdoors in all terrain and weather conditions, working long hours, and working extended periods away from home. Duties include but are not limited to the ability to carry up to 45 pounds, run, bend, twist, walk and /or climb.  A work capacity or “pack” test is required and must be passed at the Arduous level for firefighter positions.

We are looking for a candidate who possesses the following position-specific competencies.  

• Fire Management: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of fire management, 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 management.
• Teamwork: Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
• Computer Skills: Uses computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work.
• Oral and Written Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral and written presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.

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

Minimum Qualifications:

Wildland Fire & Resource Technician 2 - starting salary $26.46 per hour

Six months of trainee or entry-level wildland fire fighting or forestry field experience. The required experience is met by service as a Wildland Fire and Resource Technician 1 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).

Wildland Fire & Resource Technician 3 - starting salary $29.90 per hour

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).

Education substitution applies to the Wildland Fire & Resource Technicians 2 and 3
Completed coursework from an accredited college or vocational-technical school in forestry, fire science, or a closely related field may substitute for 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 Notes: 

• 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 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.
• 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 the 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; availability for assignments in and out of the area that requires 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.

** Please read the below information 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):

At the time of the interview, please ensure that you provide the following materials: 

• A resume with a complete job history, including the names and current telephone numbers of previous employers.
• A copy of your last two performance appraisals (if you are a current or former State of Alaska employee) or two letters of recommendation from a former supervisor.
• A list of three professional references with current contact information, one (1) of which must be from a former or current supervisor.
• A valid driver’s license.

SPECIAL NOTICES

• Applicants 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 involves the applicant successfully completing a 3-mile hike carrying a 45-pound pack over level terrain in 45 minutes or less.
• Position may require travel both in and out-of-state for fire suppression assignments; must be on stand-by or recall status during 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; must fly in small fixed- wing aircraft or helicopters; and handling hazardous materials. Overnight travel may be required and extended outdoor fieldwork may be necessary to perform the duties of this position.
• This position requires the use or possession of a firearm or ammunition. In accordance with the federal Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act of 1997 (PL104-208), if you have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, you may not hold this position.

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.   

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. 

Flexible Staffing – standard MQ

This position is flexibly staffed. The level of the job offer will be based on the selected candidate’s eligibility. If hired at the lower level, you will be promoted to the higher-level job class after completing the training plan and meeting the minimum qualifications.  

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 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. 

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: Michael Goyette 

Title: Fire Management Officer 

Phone: 907 895-4225

Email: michael.goyette@alaska.gov   

Salary : $26 - $30