Wildland Fire & Resource Technician - IA Helitack Lead; PCN

Wildland Fire & Resource Technician 4 - IA Helitack Lead (PCN 10-9769)

Pay $34.97 / hour

Employment type:

Other

Req#: 4937044

The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, is recruiting for a Wildland Fire & Resource Technician 4 (Initial Attack Helitack Lead) in Delta Junction, Alaska.

Effective July 1, 2025, the General Government Bargaining Unit received a 3.0% pay increase. This job posting has been updated to reflect the new salary.

The Delta Junction office of the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection is seeking an experienced wildland firefighter to lead the local IA Helitack program. Under general supervision from the Assistant Fire Management Officer, this position is responsible for leading wildland fire preparedness and suppression activities, responding to incidents as incident commander, and implementing a comprehensive helitack program at the local level.

This is a lead-level position with authority to hire employees, set priorities, direct daily activities, develop training plans, and evaluate performance.

The mission of the Alaska Division of Forestry and 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. The Delta office provides wildland fire protection on 3.6 million acres in interior Alaska. The goal of the fuels management program is to reduce hazardous fuels and wildland fire risk to populated areas.

This position receives a 30% increase in the base salary rate through a letter of agreement. The salary posted reflects this increased rate. In addition, the position also receives a 25% hazard pay increase based on hazardous conditions through a hazard pay agreement. This is a permanent, seasonal (10-month) position with opportunities for training, travel, and career advancement. Paid leave, health and life insurance, and retirement benefits are provided.

On a daily basis, the incumbent will lead lower-level technicians in preparedness and suppression activities with authority to assign work, set priorities, train/instruct, and evaluate work. The incumbent will conduct daily road patrols during periods of high fire danger, respond to wildland fires as incident commander, and collaborate with interagency cooperators regarding strategy, tactics, and use of resources. The incumbent will implement local fuel reduction projects, lay out treatment units, acquire land use permits, develop a scope of work, participate in public meetings, and submit reports as necessary.

Fire suppression activities will be conducted under adverse and hazardous conditions. This position requires working weekends, long shifts, and traveling for extended periods, as well as operating in small fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.

Competencies

• Fire Management: Knowledge of fire management concepts, behavior, ecology, and integration with natural resource management, including prescribed fires, detection, prevention, suppression strategies, and equipment.
• Oral and Written Communication: Clear communication tailored to audience; effective oral and written presentations; active listening.
• Computer
  
  Skills:
  
  Proficiency with computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems.
• Critical Thinking: Use of logic and reasoning to evaluate options and solutions.
• Teamwork: Fostering cooperation, trust, and alignment to goals.

Additional Information —  to learn more about working for the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection.

Twelve months of wildland firefighting or forestry field experience at the journey level. The required journey level experience is met by service as a Wildland Fire and Resource Technician 3 with the State of Alaska or the equivalent with another employer. Red Card qualification under the National Incident Qualification System (see required job qualifications). Substitution:
Completed coursework from an accredited college or vocational technical school in forestry, fire science, or a closely related field may substitute…