Community Programs Specialist (Environmental Program Specialist 1/2/3, PCN 187135)

State of Alaska; Juneau (AK); On-site; USD 40,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

The Capacity Development Program of the State of Alaska seeks an Environmental Program Specialist to strengthen water and wastewater utilities across Alaska, including rural communities. You will design and deliver training, coordinate projects, conduct research, engage with communities and tribal governments, and prepare evaluations and outreach materials for diverse audiences.

This is an office‑based role with occasional travel; strong communication, initiative, and collaboration are valued

Qualifications

• Organization and project coordination experience with attention to deadlines.
• Clear, effective communication for diverse audiences.
• Experience developing educational materials and learning opportunities.
• Analytical thinking to research topics and evaluate options.
• Ability to work with community organizations and Tribal governments.

Responsibilities

• Training and education: develop, coordinate, and deliver courses and materials.
• Community engagement: interact with communities, local and Tribal governments, and partners.
• Project and program coordination: manage timelines, deliverables, and partnerships.
• Research and analysis: collect data, assess outcomes, and support reports.
• Outreach and communication: create materials for broad audiences.
• Program improvement: identify ways to streamline processes and increase impact.

Skills

Organization & coordination

Communication

Training & outreach

Analytical thinking

Community engagement

Job description

NOTE: The recruitment period for this vacancy has been broadened and extended to allow for a larger applicant pool.

This position is open to Alaska Residents only.

This position is being recruited for in Anchorage, Soldotna, Wasilla, Fairbanks, or Juneau.

Pay will be determined based on location and level of selected individual.

Anchorage, Soldotna, Wasilla salary: $27.46 / $31.54 / $36.34

Fairbanks salary: $28.28 / $32.49 / $37.43

Juneau salary: $28.83 / $33.12 / $38.16

What you will be doing:

Do you enjoy working on a variety of projects, connecting with people, and finding creative solutions to challenges?

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation's Division of Water is seeking a resourceful, organized, and collaborative professional to join our Capacity Development Program.

This position offers the opportunity to apply your skills across a diverse range of projects involving training and education, community engagement, program coordination, research, and technical assistance.

Our program works with communities throughout Alaska to strengthen the management and long‑term sustainability of their water and wastewater services. We are looking for someone who enjoys learning new things, takes initiative, communicates effectively, and can adapt to changing priorities.

You do not need to be an environmental scientist or have prior experience in the water and wastewater industry to be successful in this role. This is primarily an office‑based position focused on program development and implementation, rather than environmental fieldwork or regulatory enforcement.

About the role

As a member of our team, you will contribute to projects that strengthen the technical, managerial, and financial capacity of Alaska's water and wastewater utilities, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

Your work may include:

• Training and education: Help develop, coordinate, and deliver training courses, workshops, online learning opportunities, and educational materials tailored to different audiences.
• Community engagement: Communicate with community representatives, local and Tribal governments, utility personnel, and partner organizations to understand needs, share information, and coordinate assistance.
• Project and program coordination: Organize activities, manage project timelines, track deliverables, coordinate with partners, and support the implementation of statewide initiatives.
• Research and analysis: Collect and evaluate information, maintain community and utility data, review program outcomes, and contribute to assessments and reports.
• Outreach and communication: Develop informational resources, presentations, written reports, and other materials that make complex information accessible to nontechnical audiences.
• Program improvement: Identify opportunities to streamline processes, develop practical solutions, and improve the effectiveness of program services.

No two projects are exactly alike. The position offers an opportunity to build expertise in several areas while making meaningful contributions to Alaska communities.

Our organization, mission, and culture:

The Capacity Development Program supports sustainable water and wastewater services by helping Alaska communities strengthen the technical, managerial, and financial capabilities needed to operate their utilities successfully.

We work collaboratively with utility operators, community leaders, local governments, and technical assistance organizations throughout the state.

Our team values curiosity, initiative, creative problem‑solving, and continuous learning. We encourage staff to share ideas, take ownership of assignments, and approach challenges with flexibility and resourcefulness.

The benefits of joining our team:

You’ll be part of a collaborative team working on projects with meaningful statewide impact. This position offers opportunities to develop expertise in community development, public administration, training and education, program evaluation, and infrastructure sustainability.

We support professional growth through training, conferences, mentorship, and opportunities to work with diverse partners and subject‑matter experts.

The working environment you can expect:

This is primarily an office‑based position, with occasional travel to Alaska communities and regional meetings. Our team works collaboratively across multiple office locations using Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and other digital tools.

Partial telework may be available following the required in‑person probationary period, subject to departmental policies.

We are looking for a candidate that has experience in the following areas:

• Organization and project coordination: Experience managing competing priorities, organizing activities, tracking deliverables, and completing assignments with attention to detail and deadlines.
• Communication and interpersonal skills: Ability to build productive relationships, provide responsive customer service, communicate clearly, and adapt information for audiences with different backgrounds and levels of technical knowledge.
• Training, education, and outreach: Experience developing educational materials, organizing learning opportunities, facilitating meetings, delivering presentations, or supporting public outreach initiatives.
• Analytical thinking and problem‑solving: Ability to research unfamiliar topics, interpret information, evaluate alternatives, and develop practical recommendations.
• Community engagement and collaboration: Experience working with community organizations, rural or Tribal governments, public agencies, nonprofit organizations, or diverse stakeholder groups.

We value diverse professional experiences and transferable skills in program coordination, training and education, community engagement, research, and public service. While familiarity with water and wastewater utilities is beneficial, we also welcome applicants who have developed relevant skills in other professional settings and meet the minimum qualifications for the position.

Above all, we seek individuals who demonstrate initiative, adaptability, strong analytical and communication skills, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

Special Notice:

Occasional travel is required within the State by small plane, boat, or other.

Competency Based Minimum Qualifications Instructions

This job class uses competency based minimum qualifications. Please ensure your application supports how you have gained the knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviours (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 behaviours used to describe the competency. They typically list expectations, as opposed to specific tasks, and are to be used only as parameters and guidelines. A competency’s description is not intended to exclusively define every KSA, task, and behaviour needed to successfully meet the competency, but rather to provide the manager/agency with a broad reference of options as to how an applicant can meet the job expectation.

Environmental Program Specialist 1 (Range 14)

Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with the following competencies

• Problem Solving – Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
• Research – Knowledge of the scientific principles, methods, and processes used to conduct a systematic and objective inquiry; including study design, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; and the reporting of results.
• Oral 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 presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.

Equivalent to those typically gained by: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college in an environmental, physical, biological, or natural science; engineering; planning; or natural resources.

Environmental Program Specialist 2 (Range 16)

Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with the following competencies

• Environmental Science – Knowledge of the interdisciplinary concepts, principles, theories, and methods of investigating the natural and physical environment, including examination of ecology, biology, physics, chemistry, plant science, zoology, mineralogy, oceanography, limnology, soil science, geology and physical geography, atmospheric, and other related sciences in the protection and improvement of the environment and its resources.
• Scientific Research – Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of scientific principles related to environmental, ecological, biological, or physical science and the methods, and processes used to conduct a systematic and objective inquiry; including study design, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; and the reporting of results.
• Critical Thinking – Analyzes and evaluates data to draw logical and well‑reasoned conclusions.
• Oral 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 presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.

Equivalent to those typically gained by: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college in an environmental, physical, biological, or natural science; engineering; planning; or natural resources. AND Professional experience developing knowledge and skills in environmental regulations, pollution control, environmental damage recovery, or programs to improve or protect environmental quality; or learning to evaluate the potential environmental and socio‑economic impacts of construction projects; prepare environmental documentation; and determine, negotiate, and monitor permitted activities.

Environmental Program Specialist 3 (Range 18)

Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with the following competencies

• Scientific Research – Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of scientific principles related to environmental, ecological, biological, or physical science and the methods, and processes used to conduct a systematic and objective inquiry; including study design, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; and the reporting of results.
• Compliance – Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance.
• 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; causes change.
• Oral 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 presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.

Equivalent to those typically gained by: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college in an environmental, physical, biological, or natural science; engineering; planning; or natural resources. AND Professional experience developing knowledge and skills in environmental regulations, pollution control, environmental damage recovery, or programs to improve or protect environmental quality; or learning to evaluate the potential environmental and socio‑economic impacts of construction projects; prepare environmental documentation; and determine, negotiate, and monitor permitted activities.

Legal Employment

The State’s online recruitment system, Workplace Alaska, requires applicants to certify that they have a legal right to accept employment in the United States. It is the responsibility of the employee to maintain the appropriate documentation to accept or continue legal employment. The State of Alaska does not function in the role as an employer sponsor.

This recruitment is for Department of Environmental Conservation employees only

Candidates must currently work in the Department of Environmental Conservation and hold permanent employment status, or have transfer rights, or, if separated, have rehire rights to this job classification.

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 (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.

For specific information about the position please contact the hiring manager

Fatima Ochante

Environmental Program Manager

907-451-2106

[e-mail]