Wildland Fire & Resource Technician 4/Operations Foreman (Pcn 10-9666)

The Division of Forestry is looking for motivated individuals to join our team of Wildland Fire and Resource Technicians (WFRTs). This permanent seasonal position is staffed 10 months annually (February 1st to November 30th) to provide initial attack wildfire suppression for the State of Alaska with the possibility of fuels project work during the fall/winter months.

Mission and Culture

The Alaska Division of Forestry, 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, leading firefighters, and performing strenuous work safely and productively.  The experience gained as a Wildland Fire Resources Tech can form the foundation for a successful career in forestry and other natural resource professions.   Applicants must be willing and capable of performing strenuous outdoor work, typically in challenging and dynamic conditions.

Core Responsibilities

Alaska Division of Forestry, Kenai-Kodiak Area, is looking for a highly motivated, professional, and career-oriented individual for an Operations Foreman position located in Soldotna, AK.  In this position, you will:

• Directly supervise six Wildland Fire & Resource Technician 1/2/3 positions and more personnel based on fire danger at the Soldotna Area office. The incumbent will assign individuals, including themselves, to the engine and helitack rotation and set schedules for these crews.

• Operate emergency vehicles, including negotiating through traffic with red lights and sirens; establish Unified Command; develop and implement strategy and tactics; and account for personnel safety.

• Identify and correct unsafe working conditions or problems; report unsafe working conditions problems and the corrective action taken to the supervisor.

Benefits of Joining Our Team

The WFRT 4 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 lifetime friendships.

The Working Environment You Can Expect

This position is based out of the Soldotna Area office of the Kenai-Kodiak Area Office located at 42499 Sterling Hwy, Soldotna, Alaska. The Kenai Kodiak Area comprises 11+ million acres of Federal, Tribal, State, Borough, Municipal, and private land that make up the Kenai Peninsula and the island of Kodiak.

 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.

To be successful in this position, you will need the following core competencies:

• Decision Making: Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals.

• Integrity/Honesty: Contributes to maintaining the integrity of the organization; displays high standards of ethical conduct and understands the impact of violating these standards on an organization, self, and others; is trustworthy.

• Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness toward others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.

• Stress Tolerance: Deals calmly and effectively with high-stress situations (for example, tight deadlines, hostile individuals, emergency situations, and dangerous situations).

• Technical Competence: Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.

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):

• Professionally formatted cover letter.

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

• Copy of current or most recent Red Card (within last 4 years).

• List of two professional references, at least one from a current or former supervisor.

• Copy of valid driver's license.

SPECIAL NOTICES

• Must be Red Card Qualified as an IC4 and Single Resource Boss to qualify for this position.

• 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 consists of 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 standby 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. 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. The letter should explain how you meet the minimum qualifications for the position and highlight your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience as it relates to the requirements 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.

Please attach the cover letter to your application before submitting it online if you cannot attach it, fax or email it to the contact number provided below.

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. Transcripts can be attached at the time of application or provided at the time of the interview.

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: Robert Green

Title: Assistant Fire Management Officer

Phone: 907-260-4212

Email: robert.green@alaska.gov