Wildland Fire

The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, White Mountain Crew, is recruiting for multiple permanent, seasonal Wildland Fire & Resource Technician 2/3 Leads in Fairbanks, Alaska.

What You Will Be Doing:

This is a lead crewmember position on a 20-person hand crew (Type 2 Initial Attack). Primary duties will include wildland fire suppression, chainsaw operations, water pump operations, burnout and backfiring, line digging, and safely working with and around fire mitigation equipment. While assigned to fuel reduction tasks, experienced firefighters will be responsible for pile burning, felling and removing hazardous trees, and guiding lower-level technicians. When not on assignment, crew members must maintain readiness and be available throughout the fire season. Lead crew members are expected to provide direction and supervision for less experienced firefighters when needed.

Mission and Values/Culture:

The mission of the Division of Forestry is to develop, conserve, and enhance Alaska's forests to provide a sustainable supply of forest resources for Alaskans. White Mountain Fire Crew contributes to this mission by helping to protect Alaska's wilderness areas, homes, and businesses from wildfires. White Mountain also works to build a strong, cohesive crew by providing hands-on training and helping crew members gain greater knowledge, skills, and responsibilities.

Benefits of Joining Our Team:

By joining White Mountain, you will join a group of highly motivated firefighters. You will have opportunities to broaden your experience as a firefighter by working with various fuel types and in diverse environments across Alaska and the Lower 48. We will work with you to meet your wildland fire career goals by providing training and other opportunities for career advancement and development.

The Working Environment You Can Expect:

White Mountain is based out of Fairbanks, AK, and is in conjunction with Fairbanks Area Forestry. This position will require travel within Alaska and in other states. You will be required to live and work in remote locations, shifts often lasting 16 hours a day, and for periods of up to 14 to 21 days. Work will be carried out across all terrain and weather conditions.

We are looking for a candidate who possesses the following position-specific competencies.

• Fire Management: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of fire management, including the characteristics, behavior, and ecology of fire; methodologies, strategies, and equipment used in prescribed fires; fire detection, prevention, and suppression strategies; and integration of fire with natural resource management.
• Incident Management: Knowledge of the tactics, technologies, principles, and processes to protect, analyze, prioritize, and handle incidents.
• Risk Management: Knowledge of the principles, methods, and tools used for risk assessment and mitigation, including assessment of failures and their consequences.
• Public Safety and Security: Knowledge of military, weaponry, and intelligence operations; public safety and security operations; occupational health and safety; investigation and inspection techniques; or rules, regulations, precautions, and prevention techniques for the protection of people, data, and property.
• Vulnerabilities Assessment: Knowledge of the principles, methods, and tools for assessing vulnerabilities, and developing or recommending appropriate mitigation countermeasures.

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

Wildland Fire & Resource Technician 2 – starting salary $26.46 per hour

Six months of trainee or entry-level wildland fire fighting or forestry field experience. The required experience is met by service as a Wildland Fire and Resource Technician 1 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 required six months of 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.

Wildland Fire & Resource Technician 3– starting salary $29.90 per hour

Twelve months of wildland firefighting or forestry field experience, of which at least six months were 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 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 Notes:

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's 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 the 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; availability for assignments in and out of the area that require 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.

** Please read the information below carefully. **

At the time of application, the applicant must attach the following items as individual documents; failure to provide the requested documentation may result in non-consideration. If you are unable to attach documents, please fax or email the contact listed below. Required documents include:

• Current Red Card or IQS Master Training Record.

• Copy of any college transcripts if substituting education for fire experience.

At the time of the interview, please ensure that you provide the following materials. Failure to do so may result in loss of consideration. Required documents include:

• Driver's license.

• Passport, if you have one.

• Two to three professional references, including name, email, and phone number.

• Fire qualification documentation not previously shared.

Application Notice

You can ONLY apply for this position through the Workplace Alaska website or by submitting a paper application. Instructions on how to apply can be found on the Workplace Alaska How to Apply webpage (link). Your application must be received by 5:00 p.m. Alaska Standard Time on the closing date.

Supplemental Questions

For your application to be evaluated, you must answer the Supplemental Questions. The State of Alaska (SOA) utilizes four proficiency levels to measure and describe an applicant's level of competence in applying certain behaviors, knowledge, skills, and abilities to accomplish a specific task. The four proficiency levels are Mastery, Fluency, Literacy, and Discovery. You must rate your proficiency level for each competency listed in the supplemental questions.

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 yet obtained a degree, please indicate the units you have 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 at foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the minimum qualifications listed above. If using this education to meet minimum qualification requirements, you must demonstrate that the credentials have been submitted to a private organization specializing in interpreting foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in standard U.S. education programs. Alternatively, an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution must report that the other institution's transcript is given full value or that full value is recognized in relevant subject areas aligned with the post-secondary institution's curricula. It is your responsibility to provide this 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 whether the minimum qualifications are met. If they are not, the applicant may not advance to the recruitment interview and selection phase.

Note: Attaching a resume is not a substitute for completing the application in its entirety. 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 indicate the union to which you belong at the time of application. Do not complete this question if you are not a current state employee.

Classification Study Notice

This position is currently undergoing review as a part of the Wildland Firefighter/Fire Support job class study, and therefore, both the title and the pay range assigned may be subject to change upon the completion of the study.

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 , 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.

Please ensure your application (through work history, training, education, licenses, certifications, etc.) supports/demonstrates that you possess the minimum required competencies for the job class.

EEO STATEMENT

The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities who require accommodation, auxiliary aids or services, or alternative communication formats should call or in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at P.O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK The State of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer.

If you choose to be contacted by email, please ensure that your email address is correct on your application and that your spam filter will permit emails from the domain.

Workplace Alaska Application Questions & Assistance

Questions regarding application submission or system operation errors should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at toll-free) or if you are in the Juneau area. Requests for information may also be emailed to

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:

Madeline Handley

Crew Boss/Superintendent

Phone:

Email:

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 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 for additional information

Paid Leave & Other Benefits

• Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
• Twelve (12) paid holidays a year