Wildland Fire & Resource Technician 4 - Operations Lead (PCN 10-9525)

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

 What You Will Be Doing

Under the direction of the area's Fire Management Officer, this position serves as the Lead Operations for the Delta Junction Office. It supervises an area-level wildland fire suppression function responsible for coordinating all operations personnel for wildfire and project work activities. This position also provides technical direction supervision for seven permanent seasonal Wildland Fire and Resource Technicians 1, 2, and 3s.  The Division of Forestry seeks a motivated individual to join our team as a Wildland Fire and Resource Technician IV.  This permanent seasonal position is staffed approximately 8 months annually to provide initial attack wildfire suppression for Delta Junction, the State of Alaska, and the lower 48 as needed.  

If you possess the following qualities and experience, you may be well suited for this position!

• Extensive experience as a fire operations foreman, Division Sup, or ICT 3? 
• Experience supervising personnel and providing leadership and direction within a dynamic organization? 
• Ability to remain calm in a fast-paced, stressful environment? 
• Willing to work long hours for extended periods and able to travel? 
• Ability to multitask and complete projects with tight deadlines and changing priorities?

Mission and Culture

Our mission is to proudly serve Alaskans through forest management and wildland fire protection.  Alaska Division of Forestry's role in fire management: The Division of Forestry will ensure wildland fire suppression resources are in a state of readiness to safely manage wildland fires that pose a threat to life, property, and resources on State, private, municipal, and other lands negotiated through agreement and commensurate with the values at risk.  Ensure that the Division's wildland fire suppression resources are ready to safely and cost-effectively initial attack wildland fires.

Core Responsibilities 

The key responsibilities and duties of the position include: 

• Oversee the operation technicians, coordinating engine and helitack staffing, hiring Emergency Firefighters for Initial attack and crew mobilization. 
• Maintain readiness throughout the fire season.  Be available for assignment in Alaska, the Lower 48, and Canada (With a valid Passport).
• Serve as Duty Officer on a rotation schedule.
• Be the point of contact or acting Fire Management Officer (FMO) when the FMO is on assignment.
• Mentor and coach staff on fire leadership and tactics. 
• Serve as a Fire Fighter, Other Over Head Positions, or Incident Commander on wildland fires or other emerging incidents.  
• Conduct daily safety briefings and after-action reviews.  
• Communicate effectively (via written, verbal, and two-way radios) with subordinates, supervisors, and cooperators. 
• Properly use and maintain emergency vehicles, hand tools, pumps, chainsaws, GPS units, compasses, and computers/tablets.  
• Assist or lead in instructing training.  

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.

Delta Junction is a small town and office, which allows for a family atmosphere. The Delta Junction Office resembles a rustic fire outpost. A small office allows staff to rotate out on fires more frequently to gain experience and training. We all work closely together and work on all sorts of projects, from fire preparedness to fire suppression, resource work, and fuels mitigation.

The Working Environment You Can Expect

This position is based out of the Delta Junction Office located at mile 267 Richardson Highway, Delta Junction, Alaska.  The Delta Junction Area is comprised of 3.8 million acres of Federal, Tribal, State, Municipal, and private land.  Delta Junction is a large agricultural community. Many of the duties performed in the job require arduous work mixed with office work for long hours and extended periods away from home.

Who We Are Looking For

We are seeking a motivated professional with a background in wildland fire. Competencies specific to being successful in the position include:

• Considerable knowledge of wildland fire fighting tactics. 
• Considerable knowledge of wildland fire leadership skills.
• Skill in communicating clearly and concisely under stressful situations.
• Ability to work long hours under stressful situations with frequently changing priorities.
• Ability to work effectively with other firefighters, incident commanders, agencies, and organizations under stressful situations.

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

Twelve months of wildland fire fighting or forestry field experience at the journey level. The required journey level experience is met by service as a Wildland Fire and Resource Technician 3 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 up to six months of the required 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 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):

• Red card or IQS training record.
• Evaluations for the past three years.

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

• Resume.
• Three professional references, one being your current supervisor.
• Valid driver’s license.

SPECIAL NOTICES

• Required travel within and outside of Alaska for 14 days or more
• Working in remote, isolated areas
• This is a Wildland fire position requiring specialized training and experience.

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: Michael P. Goyette

Title: Fire Management Officer

Phone: 907-895-4225 

Email: michael.goyette@alaska.gov

Salary : $34