Wildland Fire & Resource Technician 5 - Assistant Fire Management Officer (PCN 10-9881)

State of Alaska; Fairbanks (AK); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Alaska in Fairbanks seeks a Wildland Forestry Technician 5 to lead fire management activities as Assistant Fire Management Officer. You will oversee preparedness, mitigation, prevention, and suppression with oversight of fuels, training, and EFF programs.

You will supervise 40+ staff, hire and train personnel, and coordinate with partners. This is a demanding, outdoor role requiring strong fitness and field readiness.

Qualifications

• Red Card qualification under the National Incident Qualification System.
• ≥12 months of advanced level wildland fire fighting experience or equivalent.
• Alaska driver’s license required.

Responsibilities

• Ensure initial attack resources are trained, equipped, and ready to respond to new wildland fire incidents.
• Direct initial attack response and serve as safety officer and duty officer for the local area.
• Provide supervision to 40+ full-time regular employees and oversee hiring, training, and evaluation.
• Attend planning meetings and coordinate with agency personnel, cooperators, and the public.

Skills

Fire Management

Interpersonal Skills

Adaptability

Teamwork

Physical Strength and Agility

Job description

The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, is recruiting for a Wildland Forestry Technician 5 in Fairbanks

What You Will Be Doing:

This position serves as the Assistant Fire Management Officer for the Fairbanks office of the AK Division of Forestry & Fire Protection. The incumbent will direct wildland fire preparedness, mitigation, prevention, and suppression activities at the area level and will provide oversight of the fuels, training, and Emergency Firefighter (EFF) programs in accordance with Alaska statutes and the Alaska Interagency Wildland Fire Management Plan.

Daily, the incumbent will:

• Ensure that initial attack resources are trained, equipped, and ready to respond to new wildland fire incidents. Direct initial attack response. Serve as safety officer and duty officer for the local area.
• Provide ongoing supervision to more than 40 full-time regular employees, with authority and responsibility to hire, train, assign work, and evaluate performance.
• Attend planning meetings and coordinate with agency personnel, cooperators, and the public.

Benefits of Joining Our Team:

Selected candidates will join a high-performing, community-oriented organization that responds to wildfires threatening Alaska's residents, communities, and infrastructure. Safety-minded, team-oriented individuals who thrive in a learning environment will have ample opportunities for upward mobility and training.

This position is especially attractive to those who enjoy working outdoors, travel across Alaska and the lower-48, are interested in a dynamic, challenge-filled first responder career path, and are committed to public service.

The Working Environment You Can Expect:

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

When not on fires, fire staff are regularly engaged in training and fuels mitigation projects that enhance strategic and tactical fire suppression options and strengthen community wildland fire protection.

A high level of physical fitness is required, and all initial attack personnel are expected to participate in daily physical training and to complete annually required fitness testing.

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.
• Adaptability: Adjusts planned work by gathering relevant information and applying critical thinking to address multiple demands and competing priorities in a changing environment.
• 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.

Red Card qualification under the National Incident Qualification System (see required job qualifications special note). And Either Twelve months of advanced level wildland fire fighting experience in the fire management program. This required experience includes work as a Wildland Fire and Resource Technician 4 with the State of Alaska or the equivalent with another employer. Or Twenty-four months of journey level experience in the fire program in fire suppression or in a support capacity. This required experience includes work as a Wildland Fire and Resource Technician 3 with the State of Alaska or the equivalent with another employer. Or Twenty-four months of journey level logistics dispatch experience. This required experience includes such work as Wildland Fire Dispatcher 2 with the State of Alaska or the equivalent with another employer.

There is no substitution for the National Incident Qualification System (Red Card) qualifications.

Special Note:

Applicants must be at least eighteen years of age.

Most positions require National Incident Qualification System certifications. Because there are different specialty areas in this field, recruitment and selection will be made from among those candidates who meet the experience and the basic National Incident Qualification System training requirements specifically listed in the recruitment bulletin. The specialty areas are within one of the following functions: fire operations, wildland fire prevention, and aviation support.

For positions assigned work in the field, applicants 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. For office positions that do not require field work, applicants are not required to pass an \"Arduous\" level Work Capacity test.

Applicant 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 requires the 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.

SPECIAL NOTICES

• Candidates shall have the ability to obtain NWCG qualifications of Incident Commander Type-3 and Division Supervisor.
• 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.
• Travel on helicopters and fixed wing aircraft on a daily basis 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.
• Basic computer skills and ability to accurately complete administrative duties such as timesheets, cost coding, and travel.
• Must be able to pass the Work Capacity Test at the \"Arduous\" level as defined in the 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.

Classification Study Notice

This position is currently under review as part of the Forest and Fire Management job class study. Therefore, both the title and the assigned pay range may be subject to change upon completion of the study.

Writing Sample

A scenario-based writing sample is required for this position at the time of application. There are three scenarios; each response should be one to two paragraphs.

Please attach responses to your application before submitting it online; if you cannot attach them, email them to the contact number below. Failure to comply may result in non-consideration.

Scenario 1

Your Area anticipates needing additional EFF crews during the upcoming fire season. However, previous seasons revealed inconsistencies in crew readiness, supervisory experience, documentation, and the availability of qualified personnel.

You are responsible for overseeing improvements to the EFF program while maintaining the Area's existing operational commitments.

Interview question: How would you evaluate the program's current effectiveness, identify areas needing improvement, and develop a plan to strengthen EFF recruitment, training, supervision, and operational readiness? How would you determine whether your improvements were successful?

Scenario 2

One of your subordinate supervisors is a highly experienced firefighter with strong technical qualifications and a history of successful incident assignments.

However, the supervisor repeatedly fails to complete required administrative documentation, provides inconsistent direction to employees, and has received complaints concerning their communication style. Previous informal