Natural Resource Technician 2 - Forest Inventory Crew Member

Natural Resources; Fairbanks (AK); On-site; USD 34,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Fire Protection, is recruiting for multiple Natural Resource Technician 2 positions to participate in the 2027 Forest Inventory & Analysis crew in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Technicians will assist field data collection, travel by helicopter/boat/ATV, and work in remote environments under a field crew leader. The role requires living and working in challenging conditions across interior Alaska.

Qualifications

• Six months of on-the-job experience at the entry level equivalent to Natural Resource Technician 1, Forest Technician 3 or Environmental Technician 1 with the State of Alaska.
• Six months of clerical work experience equivalent to Office Assistant 2 or Recorder 1 with the State of Alaska.
• 16 semester hours or 24 quarter hours of college coursework from an accredited institution.
• Any combination where 3 semester hours or 4 quarter hours equals one month of experience.

Responsibilities

• Assist with field inventory data collection to support forest management operations across Alaska.
• Travel daily by helicopter, boat, ATV, or truck as part of a small crew under supervision.
• Support data processing, backcountry navigation, and mission planning in remote environments.
• Live and work in remote, austere environments for extended periods.

Skills

Physical strength

Teamwork

Reading comprehension

Forest management knowledge

Education

16 semester hours / 24 quarter hours

Job description

Job Description

The Department of Natural Resources, Division of

Forestry & Fire Protection,

is recruiting for multiple Natural Resource Technician 2 positions to participate in the 2027 Forest Inventory & Analysis crew in Fairbanks, Alaska.

What You Will Be Doing:

Under the supervision of the Natural Resource Technician 3/Forest Inventory Crew Leader, this position assists with field inventory data collection to support forest management operations throughout the State. The incumbent will travel daily by helicopter/boat/ATV/truck and work as part of a 2–4-person crew directed by a field crew leader to collect forestry and forest health monitoring data on inventory plots throughout the state. Additional duties will include assisting in safe helicopter operations, data processing, backcountry navigation, and mission planning. Technicians will spend significant time traveling and will be expected to live and work in remote and austere environments.

Mission and Values/Culture:

The mission of the Division of Forestry and Fire Protection is to develop, conserve, and enhance Alaska's forests to provide a sustainable supply of forest resources for Alaskans. We are leaders in wildland fire management, forest management, forest practices, and cooperative forestry programs across the state. Our influence crosses ownership boundaries through leadership of all-risk incident management teams, management of federal timber resources under the Good Neighbor Authority, inventory of statewide timber resources, and up-to-date best management practices that apply to all commercial forests. Forest Inventory Crew Members will have the opportunity to contribute to this mission by collecting forestry data across Alaska.

Benefits of Joining Our Team:

This position is an integral part of a team of state and federal professionals executing a large interagency forest inventory program across Interior Alaska. The Interior Alaska Forest Inventory and Analysis program (FIA) covers the largest area of any FIA program in the country and affords the opportunity to work, monitor, and access some of the most remote areas in Alaska.

This position offers an avenue to gain proficiency in aviation operations, backcountry navigation, and ecological field measurements. Training in wilderness medicine as well as wildlife and firearms safety is included.

The Working Environment You Can Expect:

The position is based in Fairbanks, AK. Field work is conducted in extremely remote areas of Interior Alaska. Field conditions are often arduous, and days are extremely long. Hazards encountered include rugged terrain, working around aviation transport, stream crossings, and bear encounters. Work may be performed in inclement weather (e.g., cold, rain, snow), on steep, slippery, and/or brushy slopes, and in the presence of biting insects. Significant off-trail hiking is required. Employees must carry a 45 lb. pack daily, with pack weights sometimes exceeding 60 lbs. if bivy and flight gear need to be carried. Excellent physical conditioning is an absolute must. Crews may travel in small aircraft, helicopters, boats, and ATV’s; carry a firearm for bear protection; and live in cramped quarters with nearly continuous background noise (e.g., generators, engines).

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

Physical Strength and Agility: Ability to bend, lift, climb, stand, and walk for long periods of time; ability to perform moderately heavy laboring work.

Teamwork: Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.

Reading Comprehension: Understands and interprets written material, including technical material, rules, regulations, instructions, reports, charts, graphs, or tables; applies what is learned from written material to specific situations.

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.

Minimum Qualifications

Six months of experience at the entry level performing technical functions of natural resource management equivalent to a Natural Resource Technician 1, Forest Technician 3 or Environmental Technician 1 with the State of Alaska.

OR

Six months of clerical work experience equivalent to an Office Assistant 2 or Recorder 1 with the State of Alaska.

OR

16 semester hours or 24 quarter hours of college course work from an accredited institution.

OR

Any combination of the above where 3 semester hours or 4 quarter hours is equivalent to one month of experience.