Forester 2 (Pcn 10-N25002)

This position is being recruited in Anchorage, Palmer, and Fairbanks; the final duty station will be based on the selected candidate's location.

What You Will Be Doing

The State of Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DOF) seeks a professional forester to join our team as a non-permanent forest planner. This position will end in November 2025.

Under the general direction of the Cooperative Forestry Programs Manager and Forest Planner, this forest planner position will be the coordinator and content writer for the Susitna Forest Management Plan. This position will represent DOF on interagency planning teams for projects and land use management plans that affect Alaska's forest resources during the creation of the Susitna Forest Management Plan. The position will compile relevant forest management plan information from an interdisciplinary team, host public meetings to gather public feedback and guide the process to the completion of the first comprehensive Susitna Forest Management Plan.

Mission and Culture

The mission of the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection is to protect the lives and property of Alaskans from wildfire and manage Alaska's forests to provide a sustainable supply of forest resources. We are leaders in forest management, forest practices, wildland fire management, and Cooperative Forestry programs across the state.

Our influence crosses ownership boundaries through the 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 forest management. This position contributes to the sustainable management of Alaska's forests by applying forest management principles, involving stakeholders, and coordinating forest management information to develop forest management goals and objectives for forest-classified state-owned land in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.

Benefits of Joining Our Team

Working in this position and environment will provide opportunities to adapt lessons learned elsewhere and to have a meaningful role in shaping state forest management over the next twenty years. This temporary position will allow the successful candidate to gain professional forest management skills, including in-depth forest planning, interagency, and interdisciplinary team participation. If you are looking for a non-permanent professional-level forestry job in Alaska, have good organizational skills, and can work a hybrid telework schedule from Fairbanks, Palmer, or Anchorage, this position might be for you.

The Working Environment You Can Expect

Depending on the location of the successful applicant, this position may be eligible for up to 90% telework or may have a hybrid telework/office schedule. If the successful candidate is located in Fairbanks or Palmer, a telework schedule may be appropriate with occasional field visits to the communities adjacent to the Susitna Forest area and to the supervisor's location in Anchorage.

An Anchorage-based candidate would have an office located in the Atwood Building in downtown Anchorage, with a hybrid telework schedule. Regardless of location, occasional travel throughout the Matanuska-Susitna Borough would be required to host public meetings in a variety of communities within the Susitna Forest project area. Fieldwork is not anticipated to be a major component of this role; occasional day trips to visit forest units within the forest management boundaries with the Mat-Su/Southwest Area Forester and other DOF staff may be expected. A successful candidate should be prepared for the possibility of occasional fieldwork, including timber cruising and walking on uneven terrain in remote locations.  

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

• Knowledge of principles of forestry and forest management.

• Ability to adapt to rapidly changing priorities, manage multiple projects with short deadlines, and coordinate responses in a professional manner.

• Well-organized to run interagency and public processes efficiently and effectively.

• Analysis and problem-solving skills to consider forest resource information, forest management regulations and policies, and the viewpoints of various stakeholders to address forest management issues.

• Technical writing skills to convey forest management information in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.

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:

1. Any Strike Team Leader Positions (STCR, STEQ, STEN),

2. Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4),

3. Any Unit Leader Position (TIME, PROC, COMP, GSUL, SPUL, PETL, INVL), 

4. Any Manager Position (EQPM, HMGB, SENG, HEB2, ATBM), or

5. Aviation Position (ASGS, ATGS)

For NWCG Incident Qualification Card certification information see: National Incident Management System (NIMS): Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide (PMS 310-1) or the NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations (PMS 508).

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.

Starting Salaries

Anchorage and Palmer:  $28.31

Fairbanks:  $29.16

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):

• Cover letter - see instructions below.
• A copy of academic transcripts is required at the time of application. If a copy of academic transcripts is not included as an attachment with the original application, the applicant will not advance to the interview phase of this recruitment.

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

• A list of three (3) professional references, one of which should be your most recent supervisor, including name, job title, employer, and current phone number(s).
• A copy of your last three (3) performance evaluations or two (2) letters of reference if evaluations are unavailable.

SPECIAL NOTICES

• This position requires some travel within the State (normally one trip per month). Occasional fieldwork, sometimes in remote areas of Alaska, may be required.

Application Notice

You can ONLY apply for this position through the Workplace Alaska website or a hardcopy application. If you accessed this recruitment bulletin through a job search portal, such as AlaskaJobs or any other database, you MUST use a Workplace Alaska online or hardcopy application to apply successfully.

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.

Cover Letter

A cover letter is required for this position. Applicants who do not attach the required cover letter will not advance to the interview phase of this recruitment.

The cover letter may be used as a writing sample. Applicants are advised to pay particular attention to spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Your cover letter will be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment.  The cover letter must be in standard business format.

Your cover letter must provide the following information:

• Please describe how you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for this position as they pertain to the bulleted points in the job description above. Give specific examples to demonstrate your experience.

• Please describe how you meet the minimum qualifications for the position.

Please attach the cover letter to your application before submitting it online. If you can't attach it, email it to the contact provided in the job posting (if email is not an option, please call the contact person to obtain a fax number). Your cover letter will help determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment and selection process.

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 Locations

This position is being recruited in Anchorage, Palmer, and Fairbanks; the duty station depends on the location of the most qualified candidate. There is only ONE position to be filled.

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:

Trevor DoBell-Carlsson

Forester 4

Phone: 907-269-8667

Email: trevor.dobell@alaska.gov