Government Jobs
Forester 5 - Wildland Fire Operations Chief (PCN 10-0395)
Government Jobs, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States, 99701
Job Posting for Forester 5
Wildland Fire Operations Chief
The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, is recruiting for a Forester 5
Wildland Fire Operations Chief. This position will be located in either Palmer, Fairbanks, or Fort Wainwright, depending on the applicant's preference. What You Will Be Doing: The Wildland Fire Operations Chief plays a critical leadership role in advancing the State of Alaska's mission of wildland fire suppression, preparedness, prevention, and mitigation. This position is responsible for fostering strong interagency relationships and facilitating resource sharing at the state, national, and international levels. The Operations Chief provides strategic direction and operational oversight to regional and area fire management officers, ensuring readiness and effective response to wildland fire incidents. A key focus is leading and mentoring firefighters and fire managers to build a resilient, skilled, and mission-driven workforce. The role also involves close coordination with the DOF fire leadership team in logistics, public information, prevention, planning, and finance to deliver a cohesive and high-performing fire management program. This position demands a visionary leader with a collaborative attitude and a commitment to public service. Mission and Values/Culture: The Division of Forestry & Fire Protection's mission is to safely manage wildland fires that threaten life, property, and critical infrastructure across 150 million acres. We achieve this by ensuring that our firefighting personnel, equipment, and infrastructure are maintained in a state of readiness and by collaborating closely with international, federal, state, and local emergency response agencies to provide effective wildland fire management and protection for the State of Alaska. Benefits of Joining Our Team: The benefits of joining the DOF wildland fire team include working alongside dedicated professionals to achieve Alaska's fire suppression, prevention, preparedness, and mitigation goals. You'll be part of a mission-driven organization that protects Alaskan residents, infrastructure, and natural resources. Our team fosters a professional, collaborative environment where your work has real impact. We emphasize leadership development, innovation, and interagency cooperation to build a resilient and effective fire program. Joining us means advancing an important mission while growing your career in one of the most dynamic fire management landscapes in the nation. The Working Environment You Can Expect: The primary office is located in Fairbanks, with an alternate duty station in Palmer. The selected candidate will join a collaborative team of highly motivated professionals who value service, innovation, and teamwork in support of Alaska's wildland fire mission. Working in Alaska offers the unique opportunity to protect diverse landscapes and communities while enjoying a lifestyle that supports outdoor adventure. Travel within the state is expected, with additional opportunities for national and international engagement in fire management policy, training, and resource sharing. 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. Flexibility: Is open to change and new information; rapidly adapts to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles. 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. Public Service Motivation: Shows a commitment to serve the public. Ensures that actions meet public needs; aligns organizational objectives and practices with public interests. Teamwork: Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals. 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 experience as the technical manager for complex programs in forestry, natural resource management or a closely related field. This experience includes work such as Forester 4 or Natural Resource Manager 2 with the State of Alaska, or the equivalent with another employer. OR Three year of experience performing advance level work in forestry, natural resources, or a closely related field. This experience includes work such as Forester 3 or Natural Resource Specialist 3 with the State of Alaska, or the equivalent with another employer. OR Five years professional journey level experience in forestry, natural resources, or a closely related field. The required experience includes work such as Forester 2, Natural Resource Specialist 2, Fire Management Officer, or State Logistics Center Coordinator with the State of Alaska, or the equivalent with another employer. Substitutions: 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. 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. 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: Incident Commander Type 1 (ICT1) Planning Section Chief Type 1 (PSC1) Operations Section Chief Type 1 (OSC1) Logistics Section Chief Type 1 (LSC1) Starting Salaries: Palmer
$3459.75 biweekly Fairbanks
$3563.25 biweekly 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: Cover letter
see instructions below. 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: Driver's license. Copies of your last two performance evaluations or a letter of reference if evaluations are not available. Three professional references with current contact information, with at least 1 of them being your most recent supervisor. Please include name, job title, employer, and current phone number(s). A copy of your IQS records. Special Notices: Requires travel within the state for meetings, conferences, events, and as fire activity increases to regional and area offices located in Fairbanks, Palmer, Delta, Tok, Soldotna, Glenallen, and McGrath. 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 with Workplace Alaska can be found on the 'How to Apply' page. Your application must be received by 5:00 p.m. Alaska Standard Time on the closing date. Cover Letter: A cover letter is required for this position. It should be two to three paragraphs (no longer than one page) and address your knowledge and experience related to the desired position-specific competencies listed above. Your cover letter will serve as a writing sample and will be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment process. Supplemental Questions: For your application to be evaluated, you must answer the Supplemental Questions. The State of Alaska (SOA) utilizes four proficiency levels to measure and describe an applicant's level of competence in applying certain 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
Wildland Fire Operations Chief
The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, is recruiting for a Forester 5
Wildland Fire Operations Chief. This position will be located in either Palmer, Fairbanks, or Fort Wainwright, depending on the applicant's preference. What You Will Be Doing: The Wildland Fire Operations Chief plays a critical leadership role in advancing the State of Alaska's mission of wildland fire suppression, preparedness, prevention, and mitigation. This position is responsible for fostering strong interagency relationships and facilitating resource sharing at the state, national, and international levels. The Operations Chief provides strategic direction and operational oversight to regional and area fire management officers, ensuring readiness and effective response to wildland fire incidents. A key focus is leading and mentoring firefighters and fire managers to build a resilient, skilled, and mission-driven workforce. The role also involves close coordination with the DOF fire leadership team in logistics, public information, prevention, planning, and finance to deliver a cohesive and high-performing fire management program. This position demands a visionary leader with a collaborative attitude and a commitment to public service. Mission and Values/Culture: The Division of Forestry & Fire Protection's mission is to safely manage wildland fires that threaten life, property, and critical infrastructure across 150 million acres. We achieve this by ensuring that our firefighting personnel, equipment, and infrastructure are maintained in a state of readiness and by collaborating closely with international, federal, state, and local emergency response agencies to provide effective wildland fire management and protection for the State of Alaska. Benefits of Joining Our Team: The benefits of joining the DOF wildland fire team include working alongside dedicated professionals to achieve Alaska's fire suppression, prevention, preparedness, and mitigation goals. You'll be part of a mission-driven organization that protects Alaskan residents, infrastructure, and natural resources. Our team fosters a professional, collaborative environment where your work has real impact. We emphasize leadership development, innovation, and interagency cooperation to build a resilient and effective fire program. Joining us means advancing an important mission while growing your career in one of the most dynamic fire management landscapes in the nation. The Working Environment You Can Expect: The primary office is located in Fairbanks, with an alternate duty station in Palmer. The selected candidate will join a collaborative team of highly motivated professionals who value service, innovation, and teamwork in support of Alaska's wildland fire mission. Working in Alaska offers the unique opportunity to protect diverse landscapes and communities while enjoying a lifestyle that supports outdoor adventure. Travel within the state is expected, with additional opportunities for national and international engagement in fire management policy, training, and resource sharing. 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. Flexibility: Is open to change and new information; rapidly adapts to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles. 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. Public Service Motivation: Shows a commitment to serve the public. Ensures that actions meet public needs; aligns organizational objectives and practices with public interests. Teamwork: Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals. 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 experience as the technical manager for complex programs in forestry, natural resource management or a closely related field. This experience includes work such as Forester 4 or Natural Resource Manager 2 with the State of Alaska, or the equivalent with another employer. OR Three year of experience performing advance level work in forestry, natural resources, or a closely related field. This experience includes work such as Forester 3 or Natural Resource Specialist 3 with the State of Alaska, or the equivalent with another employer. OR Five years professional journey level experience in forestry, natural resources, or a closely related field. The required experience includes work such as Forester 2, Natural Resource Specialist 2, Fire Management Officer, or State Logistics Center Coordinator with the State of Alaska, or the equivalent with another employer. Substitutions: 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. 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. 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: Incident Commander Type 1 (ICT1) Planning Section Chief Type 1 (PSC1) Operations Section Chief Type 1 (OSC1) Logistics Section Chief Type 1 (LSC1) Starting Salaries: Palmer
$3459.75 biweekly Fairbanks
$3563.25 biweekly 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: Cover letter
see instructions below. 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: Driver's license. Copies of your last two performance evaluations or a letter of reference if evaluations are not available. Three professional references with current contact information, with at least 1 of them being your most recent supervisor. Please include name, job title, employer, and current phone number(s). A copy of your IQS records. Special Notices: Requires travel within the state for meetings, conferences, events, and as fire activity increases to regional and area offices located in Fairbanks, Palmer, Delta, Tok, Soldotna, Glenallen, and McGrath. 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 with Workplace Alaska can be found on the 'How to Apply' page. Your application must be received by 5:00 p.m. Alaska Standard Time on the closing date. Cover Letter: A cover letter is required for this position. It should be two to three paragraphs (no longer than one page) and address your knowledge and experience related to the desired position-specific competencies listed above. Your cover letter will serve as a writing sample and will be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment process. Supplemental Questions: For your application to be evaluated, you must answer the Supplemental Questions. The State of Alaska (SOA) utilizes four proficiency levels to measure and describe an applicant's level of competence in applying certain 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