Wildland Fire & Resource Technician 3 - Prevention Technician (PCN 10-9463)

What You Will Be Doing

The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection is looking for a motivated individual to join our team as a Wildland Fire & Resource Technician 3 (Prevention Technician).  This permanent seasonal position is staffed 7 months (March 1st – September 30th) annually but may be staffed longer depending on available funding.   This position performs as a prevention technician and assists with the implementation, education, engineering, and enforcement aspects of the area’s fire prevention program, assists and or conducts Wildland Fire Investigations, and performs as an Initial Attack Incident Commander on wildland fires.  

Mission and Culture

The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, Kenai-Kodiak Area, proudly serves Alaskans through wildland fire suppression, management, and control. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated individual to join the team that protects millions of acres of our forests, our communities, and our natural resources.  Individuals must be willing and capable of acting responsibly, being courteous to the public, and accurately disseminate information during high-paced/high-stress wildland fire responses.  The experience gained as a Prevention Technician - Wildland Fire and Resource Technician 3 can form the foundation for a successful career in forestry and other natural resource professions.

Core Responsibilities 

Assists with and conducts wildland fire investigations (for criminal and civil prosecution).  Helps to assemble and complete citation package ready for court.  Issues burn permits and performs as initial attack incident commander for wildland fire suppression.  Assists with the tracking of daily fire indices and burning conditions.   Helps to collect and analyze statistical information based on patterns and trends in burn permit usage and assists in completing fire statistical data report on an annual basis.  Assists with educating and informing the public concerning wildland fire prevention measures and current fire danger level.   

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.

The Prevention Technician – Wildland Fire and Resource Technician III is a permanent career-seasonal position.  As a permanent seasonal employee, your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.  You will have access to a competitive benefits package that includes health insurance, retirement, and vacation benefits.  Although this job can be arduous, it does include many rewards, including the opportunity to work in some of the most beautiful places in the country and create lifelong friendships. 

The Working Environment You Can Expect

This position is based out of the Soldotna – Kenai/Kodiak Area Office located at 42499 Sterling Highway Soldotna, AK 99669.  The Kenai/Kodiak Area is comprised of 11 million acres of Federal, State, Borough, Native, Municipal and Private lands that make up the Kenai Peninsula and the Island of Kodiak.

Our ideal applicant will possess some or all of the following knowledge, skills, abilities and experience:

All of the following traits must be documented in your applicant profile. If you do not have experience with one or more of the traits listed, simply say so.

• Experience in Wildland Fire Investigation.
• Experience, training, and/or education in fire prevention, fire suppression, and implementing public education programs.        
• Implementation of public education programs and knowledge and techniques of debris burning for land clearing projects.   
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, exercise sound judgment, and make strategic and tactical decisions under stressful situations.  
• Ability to multitask and complete projects with tight deadlines and changing priorities.

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):

• Copy of your current or most recent Red Card (within the last 4 years).
• List of two professional references, at least one from a current or former supervisor.

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

• Copy of valid driver’s license OR ability to obtain valid license prior to reporting to duty.
• Copy of any forestry and/or fire-related certificates.
• Copies of your two most recent performance evaluations or letters of reference if evaluations are unavailable.

SPECIAL NOTICES

• Must be certified as Incident Commander Type 5 – ICT5 (NWCG Red Carded)
• Must be certified as a Wildland Firefighter 2 or Higher (NWCG Red Carded)

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: James Bryan Crisp   

Title: Wildland Fire & Resource Technician 4-Lead Prevention Officer    

Phone: 907-260-4260

Email: james.crisp@alaska.gov

Salary : $30