Wildland Fire & Resource Technician 4 (PCN 10-9520)

State of Alaska; Fairbanks (AK); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Alaska, Division of Forestry and Fire Protection, is seeking a Wildland Fire & Resource Technician 4 in Fairbanks to lead and support frontline wildfire response. You will manage a handcrew, perform incident command on fires, conduct risk assessments, and coordinate training while ensuring compliance with safety standards and agency policies in Alaska’s challenging environments.

The role requires travel across Alaska and potential 14–21 day deployments, with emphasis on leadership,

Qualifications

• Most positions require National Incident Qualification System certifications.
• Ability to pass Work Capacity Test at the Ambitious level with 3-mile hike carrying 45-pound pack in 45 minutes or less.
• Valid Alaska driver's license required; may need CDL endorsements.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Superintendent of the White Mountain Type-2 IA handcrew across remote 14-21 day wildland fire assignments.
• Perform as incident commander on initial and extended attack fires; provide size-ups and suppression strategies.
• Ensure LCES, 10 Standard Firefighting Orders, and 18 Situations that Shout Watch Out are implemented.
• Maintain accountability for timekeeping, travel documents, evaluations, and other administrative duties; assist in budget management, purchasing, and procurement.
• Safely operate engines, chainsaws, hand tools, pumps, GPS, and radios.
• Assist in planning and implementing hazardous fuels mitigation projects.
• Assist or lead training for state, cooperators, and emergency fire personnel; attend classroom and fireline training.

Skills

Fire Management

Interpersonal Skills

Teamwork

Physical Strength

Financial Management

Job description

The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, is recruiting for a Wildland Fire & Resource Technician 4 in Fairbanks, Alaska.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Serve as Superintendent of the White Mountain Type-2 IA handcrew across remote and austere 14-21 day wildland fire assignments in Alaska, Canada, and the Lower 48.
• Perform as an incident commander on initial and extended attack fires, provide accurate size-ups, and develop appropriate suppression strategies and tactics.
• Ensure LCES, '10 Standard Firefighting Orders,' and '18 Situations that Shout Watch Out' are implemented during all facets of wildland fire operations.
• Maintain accurate accountability for timekeeping, travel documents, performance evaluations, and other related administrative duties. Assist in budget management, purchasing, and procurement.
• Safely operate firefighting equipment such as engines, chainsaws, hand tools, pumps, GPS, and radios.
• Assist in the planning and implementation of hazardous fuels mitigation projects.
• Assist or lead wildland fire training classes for state, cooperator, and emergency fire personnel.
• Attend classroom and fireline training to advance fire management and professional development skills.

Mission and Values/Culture:

The Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection's mission is to protect the lives and property of Alaskans from wildfires and to manage Alaska's forest resources for maximum sustainable yield. Fairbanks Area Forestry's fire suppression responsibilities cover approximately 9 million acres in central interior Alaska and include the Fairbanks North Star and Denali Boroughs. In many locations, FAF is the primary and sometimes only fire department response to wildfires.

Fairbanks Area's core structure is comprised of highly motivated firefighters who excel under adverse conditions, possess a strong, can-do work ethic, emphasize personal and professional integrity through continuous improvement, and are committed to building a team-focused wildland firefighter community.

Wildland Fire and Resource Technicians are leaders entrusted with ensuring Alaska fulfills its duty to provide safe, competent, and community-focused wildfire protection and sustainable forest management for Alaska's diverse user groups.

Benefits of Joining Our Team:

The White Mountain Superintendent will lead one of the State of Alaska's three organized handcrews that form the DFFP's front-line response to wildfires threatening Alaska's residents, communities, and infrastructure. White Mountain is rooted in the principles of public service, personal and professional integrity, high standards of physical fitness, quiet humility, and excelling in austere environments. Leaders who exhibit these qualities and are committed to the challenge of leading and developing firefighters across Alaska and the Lower 48 will find White Mountain a rewarding and fulfilling career path.

The Working Environment You Can Expect:

Fairbanks Area Forestry resides along the banks of the Chena River in downtown Fairbanks, Alaska. FAF's fire suppression organization is comprised of Type-6 & 7 engines, Helitack, Prevention, the White Mountain Type-2 IA handcrew, the Fairbanks-1 Type-2 EFF hand crew, and dozer operations. Personnel staff engines, helicopters, and handcrews daily and are ready to respond to wildfires not only within FAF's protection area, but across Alaska.

Fairbanks is the hub of Interior Alaska and epicenter for multiple outdoor recreational pursuits including: camping, boating, hiking, fishing, and photography. Fairbanks International Airport is located minutes away from FAF and is the primary departure point for reaching Alaska's far reaches.

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.
• Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.
• 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.
• Financial Management: Understands the organization's financial processes. Prepares, justifies, and administers the program budget. Oversees procurement and contracting to achieve desired results. Monitors expenditures and uses cost‑benefit thinking to set priorities.

Special Note:

• Applicants must be at least eighteen years of age.

Requirements:

• Most positions require National Incident Qualification System certifications. Because this field has different specialty areas, recruitment and selection will be made from candidates who meet the experience and basic National Incident Qualification System training requirements listed in 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's 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.
• Applicants 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 require 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.

Substitution:

Completed coursework from an accredited college or vocational technical school in forestry, fire science, or a closely related field may substitute for up to six months of the required 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.)

No substitution is allowed for National Incident Qualification System (Red Card) qualifications.

Special Notices:

• Requires frequent in- and out-of-state travel on assignments lasting 14-21 days.
• A valid driver's license is required to operate engines and vehicles.
• Daily travel on helicopters and fixed wing aircraft may be required.
• Ability to perform in remote, hazardous, and arduous work environments requiring a high level of physical fitness and self-sufficiency with no lodging provided.
• Requires the use or possession of a firearm.

Bargaining Unit:

If you are a current state employee, please indicate the union to which you belong at the time of application. Do not complete this question if you are not a current state employee.

Driver’s License Requirement:

Applicants must possess a valid driver's license. Proof of licensure will be required prior to reporting to duty.

Firearms:

This position requires the use or possession of a firearm or ammunition. In accordance with the federal Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act of 1997 (PL 104-208), if you have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, you may not hold this position.

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:

Ernest Prax

Assistant Fire Management Officer

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]