State Forester - Division Director

Job Description

What You Will Be Doing

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources is recruiting for the Alaska State Forester position. This position offers an excellent opportunity to lead and shape forestry and fire management across Alaska. The successful candidate will work closely with state and federal land management agencies, state and federal legislators, the Board of Forestry, landowners, communities, and the general public to promote sound, professional management of Alaska's forests. The State Forester serves as the Director of the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection and provides policy direction and oversight for statewide programs in wildland fire management, forest management, forest practices, and cooperative forestry. The State Forester is a partially exempt position.

Mission and Culture

The Division of Forestry & Fire Protection supports forest resource management on 20 million acres and fire protection services and management on 150 million acres. The State Forester leads the Division in responsible, professional, and effective implementation of its statutory authorities. The Division of Forestry & Fire Protection's mission is to develop, conserve, and enhance Alaska forests.

Benefits of Joining Our Team

The Division of Forestry & Fire Protection is a mission-driven organization, supporting a variety of programs from initial attack of wildfires and complex incident management in the wildland-urban interface to forest inventory across Alaska and old growth timber harvest in temperate rainforests. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead a diverse group of dedicated working professionals across the landscape of Alaska.

The Working Environment You Can Expect

The duty station may be in Fairbanks or Anchorage, Alaska

Who We Are Looking For

Applicants should have strong experience and skills in managing timber and forest resources, wildland fire, personnel, and budgets; leadership of an organization with offices in remote areas; and written and oral communications. Applicants should understand state and local government processes and public process, work well with the state legislature and diverse interests and organizations, and show enthusiasm for forestry in Alaska.

Additional Required Information

The State Forester shall have:

• A bachelor's or higher degree in forest management and at least three years of field experience in forestry or

• At least 8 years of professional work experience as a forester.

To apply, interested applicants should email the following documents to joely.bernas@alaska.gov.

• Cover letter.

• Resume.

• Three professional references.

A cover letter is required for this position. The letter should explain how you meet the minimum qualifications for the position and highlight your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience as they pertain to the responsibilities listed in the job description above. Your cover letter will be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment.

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

• Valid driver's license.

SPECIAL NOTICES

• This position may frequently travel for meetings and fire-related activities within Alaska and the Lower 48.

Multiple Locations

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

Driver's License Requirement

Applicants must possess a valid driver's license. Proof of licensure will be required prior to reporting to duty.

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.

Contact Information

For specific information about this position, please get in touch with the hiring manager at the following:

Joely Bernas

Administrative Operations Manager

Email: joely.bernas@alaska.gov

Careers with the State of Alaska offer MANY benefits

The following information describes typical benefits available to employees of the State of Alaska. Actual benefits received may differ by bargaining unit or branch of government, position type, or be prorated for other than full time work.

For a quick breakdown of the insurance, health, and retirement benefits available for State Employees you can view an orientation video from Division of Retirement and Benefits. (Please note this video is specifically designed for new State Employees.)

Insurance Benefits

• Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental

• The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See https://drb.alaska.gov/help/plans.html for additional information.

• AVTEC

• Confidential

• Correctional Officers

• Marine Engineers

• Mt. Edgecumbe Teachers

• Supervisory

• Unlicensed Vessel Personnel/Inland Boatman's Union

• Exempt employees (not covered by collective bargaining)

The following employee groups are covered by Union health trusts. Contact the appropriate Union for additional information.

• General Government

• Labor, Trades and Crafts

• Public Safety Employees Association

• Masters, Mates & Pilots

Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)

Optional Insurance Benefits

• Group-based insurance premiums for

• Term life (employee, spouse or qualified same sex partner, and dependents)

• Long-term and short-term disability

• Accidental Death and Dismemberment

• Long-term care (self and eligible family members)

• Supplemental Survivor Benefits

Employee-funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses

Retirement Benefits

• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)

• Matching employer contribution into a defined contribution program (new employees)

• Employer contribution into a defined benefit or defined contribution program (current employees)

• Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan in lieu of contributions to Social Security

• Option to enroll in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program

• Note: The Defined Contribution Plan, Supplemental Annuity Plan and Deferred Compensation Program offer a variety of investment options

See https://drb.alaska.gov/retiree/ for additional information

Paid Leave & Other Benefits

• Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served

• Eleven paid holidays a year

Agency State of Alaska

Address PO Box 110201

Juneau, Alaska, 99811

Phone (800) 587-0430 (Statewide toll-free number)

(907) 465-4095 (Juneau and out-of-state callers)

Website http://workplace.alaska.gov/

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