Wildland Fire & Resource Technician 3 - Prevention Technician

Wildland Fire And Resource Technician 3

The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, is recruiting for a Wildland Fire and Resource Technician 3 in Soldotna.

This position is open to Alaska Residents only. Please check our residency definition to determine if you qualify.

What You Will Be Doing:

The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection is looking for a motivated individual to join our team as a Wildland Fire and Resource Technician III (Prevention Technician). This permanent seasonal position is staffed 7 months (March 1st – September 30th) annually, but may be staffed longer depending on available funding. This position performs as a prevention technician and assists with the implementation, education, engineering, and enforcement aspects of the area's fire prevention program. Assists and or conducts Wildland Fire Investigations and performs as an Initial Attack Incident Commander on wildland fires.

Assists with and conducts wildland fire investigations (for criminal and civil prosecution). Helps to assemble and complete citation packages ready for court. Issues burn permits and performs as the initial attack incident commander for wildland fire suppression. Assists with the tracking of daily fire indices and burning conditions. Helps collect and analyze statistical information based on patterns and trends in burn permit usage and assists in completing the annual fire statistical data report. Assists with educating and informing the public concerning wildland fire prevention measures and the current fire danger level.

Mission and Values/Culture:

The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, 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, being courteous to the public, and accurately disseminating information during high-paced/high-stress wildland fire responses. The experience gained as a Prevention Technician - Wildland Fire and Resource Technician 3 can serve as a foundation for a successful career in forestry and other natural resource professions.

Benefits of Joining Our Team:

The Prevention Technician – Wildland Fire and Resource Technician 3 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 offers many rewards, including the opportunity to work in some of the most beautiful places in the country and to create lifelong friendships.

The Working Environment You Can Expect:

This position is based at the Soldotna – Kenai/Kodiak Area Office, located at 42499 Sterling Highway, Soldotna, AK 99669. The Kenai/Kodiak Area is comprised of 11+ million acres of Federal, State, Borough, Native, Municipal, and Private lands that make up the Kenai Peninsula and the Island of Kodiak.

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.
• Investigation: Knowledge of the guidelines, regulations, and procedures associated with investigation, including interviewing, evidence detection, locating, gathering, and handling, and drawing appropriate factual inferences and conclusions. Provide oral or written reports of findings. Presenting evidence and providing testimony.
• 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.
• Self-Management: Sets well-defined and realistic personal goals; displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner; works with minimal supervision; is motivated to achieve; demonstrates responsible behavior.

Minimum Qualifications:

Twelve months of wildland fire fighting or forestry field experience, of which at least six months was 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 the 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 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.

Additional Required Information:

** Please read the information below carefully. **

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:

• Copy of your Current or Most Recent Red Card (within the last 4 years)
• List of two professional references, at least one from a current or former supervisor
• Copy of a valid driver's license OR ability to obtain a valid license prior to reporting to duty
• Copy of any forestry and/or fire-related certificates; and
• Copies of your two most recent performance evaluations or letters of reference, if evaluations are not available

SPECIAL NOTICES

• Must be certified as Incident Commander Type 5 – ICT5 (NWCG Red Carded) within 12 months of hire.
• Must be certified as a Wildland Firefighter 2 or Higher (NWCG Red Carded)
• Requires frequent travel within Alaska and to the Lower 48 States, for periods of up to 21 days.
• Requires a commitment to long hours, sometimes in excess of 16 hours.
• Requires the ability to work and live in remote, primitive locations.
• Requires passing a pack test at the Arduous Level.
• Able to work nights and weekends
• Be available for standby during after-hours for emergency response/prevention actions
• No barriers to firearms use

Classification Study Notice

This position is currently under review as part of the Forest and Fire Management job class study. Therefore, both the