Natural Resource Technician 3 - Forest Inventory Crew Lead

Natural Resources; Fairbanks (AK); On-site; USD 68,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, is recruiting Natural Resource Technician 3 positions for the 2027 Forest Inventory & Analysis crew in Fairbanks, Alaska. You will lead field crews and ensure data quality across remote Interior Alaska, following established protocols and safety standards.

The role emphasizes leadership development and hands-on experience in forestry data collection, with challenging field conditions and long days in a rugged interior

Qualifications

• One year of journey level technical experience in natural resource management or equivalent,

Responsibilities

• Lead field crews of 2-4 members in remote areas to collect forestry, botanical, and geographic data following protocols.
• Oversee and ensure data quality, guiding on standardized procedures and field practices.
• Navigate challenging terrain, support safe aviation and field operations, and troubleshoot equipment in varying conditions.
• Assist with logistics, maintain field gear, and contribute to project scheduling and execution.
• Gain leadership and technical experience in the Forest Inventory program.

Skills

Leadership

Teamwork

Physical Ability

Forest Management

Reading Comprehension

Job description

Job Description

The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, is recruiting for multiple Natural Resource Technician 3 positions on the 2027 Forest Inventory & Analysis crew in Fairbanks, Alaska.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Lead field crews of 2-4 members in remote areas of Interior Alaska to collect forestry, botanical, and geographic data following established protocols.
• Oversee and ensure the quality of forestry, botanical, and geographic data collection, providing guidance on standardized protocols and procedures.
• Navigate challenging terrain, implement safe aviation and field operations, and troubleshoot field equipment under varying environmental conditions.
• Assist with logistical operations, including maintaining and organizing field gear, and contribute to the overall success of project scheduling and execution.
• This position offers the opportunity to gain valuable leadership and technical experience in the Forest Inventory program.

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 Leaders 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 comprised 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 provides the opportunity to work, monitor, and access some of the most remote areas in Alaska.

This position offers avenues 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. Additionally, this role provides valuable exposure to the diverse career opportunities available within the Division of Forestry and Fire Protection, offering a pathway for professional growth and advancement in natural resource management.

The Working Environment You Can Expect:

The position is based in Fairbanks, AK. Fieldwork 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.

• Leadership: Influences, motivates, and challenges others; adapts leadership styles to a variety of situations.
• Teamwork: Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
• Physical Strength and Agility: Ability to bend, lift, climb, stand, and walk for long periods of time; ability to perform moderately heavy laboring work.
• 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.
• 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.

Minimum Qualifications

• One year of journey level technical experience in natural resource management equivalent to a Natural Resource Technician 2 with the State of Alaska.
• Any combination of journey level technical experience in natural resource management equivalent to a Natural Resource Technician 2 with the State of Alaska and college course work from an accredited institution totaling one year where 3 semester hours or 4 quarter hours is equivalent to one month of experience.

SPECIAL NOTICES

• This position requires frequent travel within the state, 5-15 days at a time.
• This position requires the incumbent to carry and use firearms for wildlife protection.
• This position requires excellent physical conditioning.