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Forester 2 - Community Assistance Forester
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The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, is recruiting for a Forester 2 – Community Assistance Forester in Anchorage.
What You Will Be Doing:
The State of Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection seeks a professional urban forester or arborist to join the statewide Alaska Community Forestry Program. The Alaska Community Forestry Program helps establish and sustain local community forestry programs in cities and municipalities throughout Alaska. In this position, you will conduct projects to assess, promote, and improve community forest management in Alaska. Daily duties include providing technical assistance and training to local governments, non-profits, and the public, administering a statewide pass-through grant program, and conducting outreach.
This position offers opportunities to collaborate with other Division of Forestry & Fire Protection programs, including Forest Health, Forest Stewardship, and Fire Protection.
Mission and Values/Culture:
The mission of the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection is to protect the lives and property of Alaskans from wildfire and manage Alaska’s forests to provide a sustainable supply of forest resources. We are leaders in forest management, forest practices, wildland fire management, and Cooperative Forestry programs across the state. Our influence crosses ownership boundaries through the leadership of all-risk incident management teams, management of federal timber resources under the Good Neighbor Authority, and up-to-date best management practices that apply to all commercial forests. Our Cooperative Forestry programs include the Forest Stewardship Program, which is the primary source of technical forestry assistance for Alaskan forest landowners; the Community Forestry Program, which helps communities enhance the benefits of city trees and green spaces through effective management; and the Forest Health Program, which is the primary source of forest health expertise and assistance in the state.
Benefits of Joining Our Team:
The work provides exposure to Alaska’s unique physical and cultural environment as well as opportunities to engage with diverse communities and stakeholders. Staffing in the organization is lean, providing an opportunity for broad exposure to our variety of missions; there are options for long-term growth and advancement in both the forest resources and fire programs. Career-long training and innovation are building blocks of our culture. The small team, combined with the diverse duties, makes this an interesting position with opportunities to make a real difference in urban and community forests across the state. Professional training is supported and encouraged, and a flexible work schedule is available.
The Working Environment You Can Expect:
This position’s main workspace is located in vibrant downtown Anchorage on the 14th floor of the Atwood building. This position includes travel throughout the state to provide technical assistance and training to communities, as well as occasional field work in a variety of weather and forest conditions. The daily work environment is a combination of independent work and team collaboration with the Community Forestry Program Manager and colleagues from other states and federal agencies.
The working environment and culture are friendly, flexible, and supportive, and we believe in a healthy work/life balance.
Life in Southcentral Alaska is an outdoor recreationist's dream. Situated adjacent to the Chugach Mountains, abundant public lands offer wildlife viewing, miles of skiing, mountain biking, and hiking trails, as well as plentiful fishing and hunting. Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska and is home to two universities, as well as parks, museums, excellent schools, restaurants, and theaters.
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.
- Botany: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of plants, including structures and functions, classification, taxonomy, plant communities, distribution, habitat requirements, life histories, reproduction, conservation, and care of plant species.
- Education and Training: Knowledge of teaching, training, research, making presentations, lecturing, testing, and other instructional methods.
- Oral and Written Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral and written presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
- Technical Expertise: Effectively applies technical knowledge to solve a range of problems; develops technical solutions to new or highly complex problems that cannot be solved using existing methods or approaches; is sought out as an expert to provide advice or solutions in the technical area.
Click here to learn more about working for the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection.
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 a minimum of 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 are equal to one month of experience). The 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.
Certification from an accredited vocational technical school in forestry, natural resource management, or a closely related field and 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 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.
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:
1. Any Strike Team Leader Positions (STCR, STEQ, STEN),
2. Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4),
3. Any Unit Leader Position (TIME, PROC, COMP, GSUL, SPUL, PETL, INVL),
4. Any Manager Position (EQPM, HMGB, SENG, HEB2, ATBM), or
5. 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).Special Note:
Closely related curricula and work experience includes fields such as: geosciences, geography, natural resources, environmental sciences, soils, hydrology, wildlife habitat management, forest engineering, remote sensing, vegetation classification, natural resource bio-metrics, 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 the 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.
Additional Required Information
** Please read the information below carefully. **
At the time of application, the applicant must attach the following items as individual documents; failure to provide the requested documentation may result in non-consideration. If you are unable to attach documents, please fax or email the contact listed below. Required documents include:
- Academic transcripts, if using education to meet minimum qualifications. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. If unable to attach to your application, transcripts may be submitted via email to josh.hightower@alaska.gov prior to the closing of this recruitment.
At the time of the interview, please ensure that you provide the following materials. Failure to do so may result in loss of consideration. Required documents include:
- A copy of your two most recent performance evaluations, or two letters of recommendation from former supervisors.
- Contact information (phone/email) for three professional references, one of which must be a current or most recent supervisor.
- Valid driver's license.
SPECIAL NOTICES
- Requires frequent travel within the state and occasional travel outside of the state.
- International Society of Arboriculture Arborist certification or the ability to become certified within six months of accepting the position.
- A valid driver’s license is required.
Classification Study Notice
This position is currently undergoing review as part of the Forest and Fire Management job class study. Both the title and the assigned pay range may be subject to change upon completion of the study.
Application Notice
You can ONLY apply for this position through the Workplace Alaska website or by submitting a paper application. Instructions on how to apply can be found on the Workplace Alaska How to Apply webpage (link). Your application must be received by 5:00 p.m. Alaska Standard Time on the closing date.
Supplemental Questions
For your application to be evaluated, you must answer the Supplemental Questions. The State of Alaska (SOA) uses four proficiency levels to measure and describe an applicant’s competence in applying specific behaviors, knowledge, skills, and abilities to accomplish a specific task. The four proficiency levels are Mastery, Fluency, Literacy, and Discovery. You must rate your proficiency level for each competency listed in the supplemental questions.
Education
If post-secondary education is required to meet the minimum qualifications, you must fill out the Education section of the application. If you have not yet obtained a degree, please indicate the units you have completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials if used to meet the minimum qualifications for a position.
Special Instructions for Foreign Education
Education completed at foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the minimum qualifications listed above. If using this education to meet minimum qualification requirements, you must demonstrate that the credentials have been submitted to a private organization specializing in interpreting foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in standard U.S. education programs. Alternatively, an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution must report that the other institution's transcript is given full value or that full value is recognized in relevant subject areas aligned with the post-secondary institution's curricula. It is your responsibility to provide this evidence when applying.
Work Experience
If using work experience not already documented in your application, also provide the employer’s name, job title, employment dates, and whether full or part-time. Applications will be reviewed to determine whether the responses are supported and whether the minimum qualifications are met. If they are not, the applicant may not advance to the recruitment interview and selection phase.
Note: Attaching a resume is not a substitute for completing the application in its entirety. Noting, "see resume" or any similar response on any portion of your application may lead to a determination that your application is incomplete and removal from consideration for this job posting.
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.
Please ensure your application (through work history, training, education, licenses, certifications, etc.) supports/demonstrates that you possess the minimum required competencies for the job class.
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 (907) 465-4095 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
If you choose to be contacted by email, please ensure that your email address is correct on your application and that your spam filter will permit emails from the governmentjobs.com domain.
Workplace Alaska Application Questions & Assistance
Questions regarding application submission or system operation errors should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 1-800-587-0430 (toll-free) or (907) 465-4095 if you are in the Juneau area. Requests for information may also be emailed to recruitment.services@alaska.gov.
For assistance with your password, please visit the password reset page.
For specific information about this position, please get in touch with the hiring manager at the following:
John Hightower
Community Forestry Program Coordinator
Phone: 907-269-8466
Email: josh.hightower@alaska.gov
Careers with the State of Alaska offer MANY benefits
The following information describes typical benefits available to employees of the State of Alaska. Actual benefits received may differ by bargaining unit or branch of government, position type, or be prorated for other than full time work.
For a quick breakdown of the insurance, health, and retirement benefits available for State Employees you can view an orientation video from Division of Retirement and Benefits. (Please note this video is specifically designed for new State Employees.)
Insurance Benefits
- Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental
- The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See https://drb.alaska.gov/help/plans.html for additional information.
- AVTEC
- Confidential
- Correctional Officers
- Marine Engineers
- Mt. Edgecumbe Teachers
- Supervisory
- Unlicensed Vessel Personnel/Inland Boatman's Union
- Exempt employees (not covered by collective bargaining)
- The following employee groups are covered by Union health trusts. Contact the appropriate Union for additional information.
- General Government
- Labor, Trades and Crafts
- Public Safety Employees Association
- Masters, Mates & Pilots
- The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See https://drb.alaska.gov/help/plans.html for additional information.
- Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)
Optional Insurance Benefits
- Group-based insurance premiums for
- Term life (employee, spouse or qualified same sex partner, and dependents)
- Long-term and short-term disability
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment
- Long-term care (self and eligible family members)
- Supplemental Survivor Benefits
- Employee-funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses
Retirement Benefits
- Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)
- Matching employer contribution into a defined contribution program (new employees)
- Employer contribution into a defined benefit or defined contribution program (current employees)
- Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan in lieu of contributions to Social Security
- Option to enroll in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program
- Note: The Defined Contribution Plan, Supplemental Annuity Plan and Deferred Compensation Program offer a variety of investment options
See https://drb.alaska.gov/retiree/ for additional information
Paid Leave & Other Benefits- Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
- Twelve (12) paid holidays a year
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