The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, is recruiting for a Forester 1/2 Flex in Homer, Alaska, to join their Forest Stewardship Program.
What You Will Be Doing:
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Conducts public outreach and provides professional forestry assistance to non-industrial private forest landowners throughout Alaska in support of the Forest Stewardship Program.
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Conducts field assessments to evaluate forest conditions, including stand composition, timber volume, regeneration, wildlife habitat, riparian areas, recreation opportunities, and other forest values.
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Develops comprehensive Forest Stewardship Plans that document existing conditions, landowner objectives, and recommended management activities to guide sustainable forest management over a 10-year period.
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Provides technical guidance on forest management, conservation, stewardship practices, wildfire hazard mitigation, and connects landowners with cost-share opportunities.
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Implements Forest Stewardship Program projects and initiatives, assists with program administration and reporting requirements, and supports other activities that advance private forest stewardship and State Forest Action Plan objectives.
Mission and Values/Culture:
The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection protects Alaskans' lives and property from wildfire while managing the state's forests to ensure a sustainable supply of forest resources. The Division provides leadership in wildland fire management, forest management, forest practices, and Cooperative Forestry programs, with influence extending across ownership boundaries through incident management, federal timber management under the Good Neighbor Authority, and statewide forestry best management practices. Cooperative Forestry programs include the Forest Stewardship Program, Community Forestry Program, and Forest Health Program, which provide technical assistance, education, and expertise to private landowners, communities, and other partners across Alaska.
Benefits of Joining Our Team:
This position provides the opportunity to work in Alaska’s unique physical and cultural environment while assisting a diverse range of forest landowners, including private landowners and Alaska Native corporations. Forest management activities include timber harvesting, firewood production, wildfire hazard mitigation, reforestation, and other stewardship practices that support healthy and productive forests. The position offers opportunities to apply innovative approaches to contemporary forest management and landowner assistance while addressing Alaska’s unique forestry challenges. Because the organization maintains a lean staffing structure, employees gain broad exposure to forest resources, wildfire, and Cooperative Forestry programs. The Division supports career-long learning, professional development, and opportunities for advancement within both forestry and fire management disciplines.
The Working Environment You Can Expect:
This position is based in the Homer office and works alongside a seasonally active wildland fire staff. Work is approximately 60% office-based and 40% field-based over the course of the year, with most fieldwork occurring during the summer and office time focused on Forest Stewardship Plan development and other program activities during the winter months. Most field visits are conducted within nearby communities and do not require overnight travel, though occasional overnight trips may occur, typically with accommodations in hotels, lodges, or small rural communities.
We are looking for a candidate who possesses the following position-specific competencies.
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Forest Management: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of silviculture and forest ecology, forest use, management, harvesting, conducting inventories, regeneration, sustainability, and conservation; and the role of disturbances in timberland resources.
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Ecology: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of the interrelationships among organisms and their environment, including competition and predation, evolution and natural selection, population dynamics, and the impact of natural phenomena or human actions on natural systems, processes, and biota.
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Geographical Sciences: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and methods for describing the location and distribution of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical locations, relationships, characteristics, and what the land supports.
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Oral and Written Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral and written presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
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Technical Credibility: Understands and appropriately applies principles, procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies related to specialized expertise.
Click here to learn more about working for the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection.
Competency-Based Minimum Qualifications Instructions
This job class uses competency-based minimum qualifications. Please ensure your application (through work history, volunteer experience (duties summary), training, education, licenses, certifications, etc.) supports how you have gained the knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors (competencies) and that you possess the minimum required competencies for the job class.
Competency Description
The competency description(s) listed below have been designed to promote a common understanding of the essential elements of the job class. They highlight the more general and customary knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs), tasks, and behaviors used to describe the competency. They typically list expectations rather than specific tasks and are used only as parameters and guidelines. A competency’s description is not intended to exclusively define every KSA, task, and behavior needed to meet the competency successfully, but rather to provide the manager/agency with a broad reference of options for how an applicant can meet the job expectation.
Minimum Qualifications
Forester 1 – starting salary $26.66
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.
Substitution:
An Associate's degree that includes a minimum of 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours in forestry, natural resources, or a closely related curricula from an accredited college and two years of journey-level experience in the technical aspects of forest management and practices such as fire prevention, fire suppression, timber sales, reforestation, or inventory will substitute for the required bachelor's degree. The required experience includes work such as a Wildland Fire and Resource Technician 3 or Wildland Fire Dispatcher 2 with the State of Alaska or the equivalent with another employer.
Substitution:
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, fire suppression, timber sales, reforestation, or inventory may substitute for the required bachelor's degree. This experience includes work such as a Wildland Fire and Resource Technician 3 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:
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Single Resource (CRWB, HEQB, HEMG, ENGB, FELB), or
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Field Observer (FOBS)
For NWCG Incident Qualification Card certification information, see: National Incident Management System (NIMS).
Forester 2 – starting salary $30.62
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.
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Three years of journey-level technical experience in fire or forest resources management. This experience includes work such as 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 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 Wildland Fire and Resource Technician 3, Wildland Forestry Technician 2, 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:
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Any Strike Team Leader Positions (STCR, STEQ, STEN),
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Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4),
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Any Unit Leader Position (TIME, PROC, COMP, GSUL, SPUL, PETL, INVL),
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Any Manager Position (EQPM, HMGB, SENG, HEB2, ATBM), or
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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 (applicable to all levels):
Closely related curricula and work experience include 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.
** 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:
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Academic Transcripts, if using education to meet minimum qualifications. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. If unable to attach to your application, transcripts may be submitted via email to [email protected] prior to the closing of this recruitment.
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:
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A copy of your two most recent performance evaluations, or two letters of recommendation from former supervisors.
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Contact information (phone/email) for three professional references, one of which must be a current or most recent supervisor.
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Valid driver's license.
SPECIAL NOTICES
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Requires frequent travel within the state and occasional travel outside of the state.
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A valid driver's license is required.
Application Notice
You can ONLY apply for this position through the Workplace Alaska website or by submitting a paper application. Instructions for applying are available on the Workplace Alaska How to Apply webpage. 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) uses four proficiency levels to measure and describe an applicant’s competence in applying specific 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 does not substitute for completing the application in full. 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.
Flexible Staffing
This position is flexibly staffed. The level of the job offer will be based on the selected candidate’s eligibility. If hired at the lower level, you will be promoted to the higher-level job class after completing the training plan and meeting the minimum qualifications.
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.
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 1-800-587-0430 or (907) 465-4095 in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or 1-800-770-8973 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.
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 governmentjobs.com domain.
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
[email protected].
For assistance with your password, please visit the password reset page.
For specific information about this position, please get in touch with the hiring manager at the following:
Nate Wilson
Forest Stewardship Program Manager
Phone: 907-269-0086
