Forester 2/3 (PCN 10-9894)

State of Alaska; Fairbanks (AK); On-site; USD 70,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, in Fairbanks, is recruiting for a Forester 2/3. This role supports forestry operations across the Northern Region and ensures FRPA compliance while helping develop regional timber markets.

Travel by small plane, helicopter, and boat to remote Interior locations is required; duties involve fieldwork in challenging conditions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in forestry or related field is required.
• Knowledge of FRPA and timber management practices.
• Willingness to travel and work in remote locations.

Responsibilities

• Support forestry operations across the Northern Region.
• Ensure FRPA compliance and reporting.
• Collaborate with DOF area offices in Fairbanks and surrounding communities.

Skills

Forest management knowledge

Computer skills

Physical strength

Accountability

Standards

Education

Bachelor's degree in forestry or natural resources

Job description

Forester 2/3 (PCN 10-9894) in Fairbanks, AK | GovernmentJobs.com page has loaded.

The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, is recruiting for a Forester 2/3 in Fairbanks.

This position is open to Alaska Residents only.

The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection’s (DOF) Northern Region is recruiting a Forester 2/3 - Resource Forester to support the Forestry Branch as assigned by the Northern Region Forester and Deputy Director. As a new position, this is an opportunity for the right individual to build on their professional forestry experience while helping our communities to develop the Region’s timber markets. This position serves as a regional resource, ensuring FRPA compliance and reporting, and working with the DOF’s Area offices in Fairbanks, Delta Junction, Tok, and Glenallen.

Mission and Values/Culture:

The mission of the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection is to develop, conserve, and enhance Alaska's forests to provide a sustainable supply of forest resources for Alaskans. This position serves Alaskans through responsible forest management and ensuring that the Alaska Forest Resources & Practices Act (FRPA) is implemented and enforced. FRPA governs how timber harvesting, reforestation, and timber access occur on State, private, and municipal lands.

Benefits of Joining Our Team:

This is a great opportunity to advance your career in forest management in a dynamic, highly productive workplace while learning from agency professionals and industry leaders. You will take pride in your work, knowing that meeting the local demand for timber and firewood leads to more lucrative timber jobs and benefits the local economy. You will fill a critical role on our team in the Northern Region and will have opportunities to develop as a leader.

The Working Environment You Can Expect:

This position requires travel by small plane, helicopter, and boat to remote locations in Interior Alaska. You must be able to work in adverse weather conditions. Fieldwork conditions are often arduous. Hazards that may be encountered include rugged terrain, aviation, and wildlife. Work may be performed in inclement weather (cold/rain/snow). The incumbent may be available for fire assignments and must be available to travel away from the duty location for extended periods. Must be able and willing to fly in small fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and small boats as necessary. The position 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 absence from the duty station for 14 to 21 days; and may handle hazardous materials.

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

• 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.
• Computer Skills: Uses computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work.
• Physical Strength and Agility: Ability to bend, lift, climb, stand, and walk for long periods; ability to perform moderately heavy labor.
• Accountability: Holds self and others accountable for measurable, high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for own actions and decisions. Complies with established control systems and rules.
• Standards: Knowledge of standards that are either compliant with or derived from established standards or guidelines.

Minimum Qualifications

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. Or Three years of journey‑level technical experience in fire or forest resources management. This experience includes work such as Natural Resource Technician 3, 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 at least 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 equals 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, plus 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:

• Any Strike Team Leader Positions (STCR, STEQ, STEN),
• Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4),
• 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).

Forester 3 – starting salary $2807.25 bi-weekly

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

One year of professional journey‑level experience in forestry, natural resources, or a closely related field. The required experience includes work such as Forester 2, Fire Management Officer, State Logistics Center Coordinator, or Natural Resource Specialist 2 with the State of Alaska, or the equivalent with another employer.

Substitutions:

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 equals 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, plus 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. 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 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:

• Expanded Dispatcher Coordinator (CORD),
• Safety Officer Type 3 (SOF3),
• Incident Commander Type 3 (ICT3),
• Planning Section Chief Type 3 (PSC3),
• Operations Section Chief Type 3 (OSC3),
• Logistics Section Chief Type 3 (LSC3), or
• Expanded Dispatch Supervisor (EDSP)

For NWCG Incident Qualification Card certification information, see: National Incident Management System (NIMS): Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide (PMS 310-1).

Special Note (applicable to all levels):

Closely related curricula and work experience include geosciences, geography, natural resources, environmental sciences, soils, hydrology, wildlife habitat management, forest engineering, remote sensing, vegetation classification, natural resource biometrics, 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 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.

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 [phone] 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.

Contact Information

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Please direct questions about application submission or system errors to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 1-800-587-0430 (toll‑free) or [phone] if you are in the Juneau area. You may also email requests for information to [e-mail].

For specific information about this position, please get in touch with the hiring manager at the following:

Phone [phone] (Statewide toll‑free number)
[phone] (Juneau and out‑of‑state callers)