Natural Resource Specialist ; PCN

Natural Resource Specialist 3 | Fairbanks, AK

Open to Alaska residents only.

As a senior Natural Resource Specialist 3, you will play a key role in keeping Alaska's Mine Permitting and Compliance Program running smoothly and effectively by administering the multi‑agency Application for Permits to Mine in Alaska (APMA) and supporting complex, sometimes controversial permitting and reclamation decisions for placer mining and mineral exploration. You will act as a program and process specialist, working with state and federal partner agencies, applicants, and the public to keep a comprehensive, efficient, and legally defensible statewide permitting system on track.

You will have primary responsibility, under the direction of the Program Manager, for refining program workflows, guidance, and electronic permitting tools so DNR and other agency staff can process permits consistently, on time, and in a manner that supports Alaska's broader economic health. You will use strong analytical, writing, and records‑management skills to organize extensive case files, build clear and defensible administrative records, and prepare high‑visibility decision documents, appeal materials, and responses that support litigation and policymaker inquiries.

You will also monitor data and case files to spot trends and risks, recommend improvements, and provide outreach and clear information to operators and stakeholders, making you a key expert in maintaining the credibility, continuity, and effectiveness of this critical program.

Our team helps carry out the Department of Natural Resources' mission to manage Alaska's lands, waters, and minerals for the benefit of current and future Alaskans, while supporting a strong, sustainable economy. We value responsible resource development that balances economic opportunity with environmental stewardship and respect for Alaska's communities. Our culture emphasizes collaboration, technical excellence, and public service, reflected in sound, transparent decision‑making and efficient permitting processes.

This position is housed within the Mining Section, which offers an extremely supportive, positive, and collaborative work environment. The successful applicant will have access to training and travel opportunities, as well as advancement opportunities within the Division/Department.

The work is both intellectually challenging and professionally rewarding, with frequent opportunities to solve complex, real‑world problems.

Employees work extensively with the mining industry, the public, and other agencies to support the responsible development of Alaska's mineral resources, contributing directly to the state's long‑term economic health.

This position is based at the DNR Northern Regional Office (NRO) in Fairbanks, a beautiful interior Alaska city that serves as the economic and transportation hub of the region, with an international airport and the University of Alaska Fairbanks nearby.

The NRO campus offers a charming, wooded setting with convenient access to shopping and restaurants, and Fairbanks provides extensive year‑round outdoor recreation opportunities—including hiking, wildlife viewing, river trips, winter sports, and world‑class aurora viewing—amid striking natural scenery and a rich mining history.

This role provides a strong balance between office‑based work and fieldwork/travel and supports permitting and program administration for the statewide permitting program, with remote fieldwork travel expected across the state.

• Program Oversight: Plans, coordinates, and monitors programs to ensure that federal, state, and/or local government program requirements and plans are met, providing professional consultation on the specialized services of the program or associated project(s).
• Internal Controls: Knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques for establishing internal control activities (for example, authorizations, verifications, reconciliations), monitoring their use, and evaluating their performance (for example, identification of material weaknesses…