Wildland Fire & Resource Technician at Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection

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The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, is seeking a highly motivated individual to assume the position of a Division of Forestry & Fire Protection Wildland Fire & Resource Technician 4 (Operations Lead) located in McGrath, Alaska. Under the direction of the Southwest Area Assistant Fire Management Officer, the Operations Lead will provide day-to-day front-line supervision and structure for both Division firefighting personnel and an exclusive use helicopter crew.

This position is responsible for the direct oversight and safe operations of the area Helibase, Helicopter, and Helitack Firefighters.

The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection Southwest Area proudly serves Alaskans through wildland fire suppression, management, and control. The Southwest Area is a high-reliability organization providing fire protection and management for over 88 million acres. Our protection area’s primary mission is safe and successful remote incident management and suppression.

Duty, Respect, and Integrity are Division values, and our top priority remains the protection of life, property, and the safety of the public and firefighters.

The Operations Lead is vital to the success of our priorities and mission. This position directly supervises firefighters and aircraft during incident responses, resource activities, and during periods of low fire activity. The Wildland Fire and Resource Technician 4 coordinates with Area Fire Managers and supervises the safe implementation of area strategies, tactics, and objectives.

This position is also expected to train, develop, and mentor subordinate employees. Individuals must be willing and capable of leading firefighters, working extended shifts, and performing strenuous outdoor work safely and productively.

• Provides direction, coordination, leadership, and evaluation of the Southwest Area helitack staff. This position assists the Assistant Fire Management Officer in fire preparedness and has primary responsibilities for the initial attack readiness of the Area Helitack Program and any contract Helicopters assigned to the Area.
• Directly supervises Wildland Fire and Resource Technician 3’s (WFRT 3’s), who are responsible for the initial attack of wildland and urban-interface fires, including helitack operations, engine operations, and Area Type 2 hand crews.
• Based on Area and incident needs, this position may supervise emergency firefighters to support preparedness, suppression, and fuels reduction activities. This is a fireline leadership position and will be required to act decisively, identifying response needs in a dynamic fire environment.
• Provides daily confirmation of fire readiness for both the Area Exclusive-Use helicopter and the assigned helitack crew.
• Serve as Helicopter Manager and Initial Attack Incident Commander. May serve as an Area Duty Officer or Area AFMO when delegated those responsibilities.
• Provide accurate daily input to AFMO to coordinate and confirm staffing needs, equipment availability, aircraft availability, and extended staffing.

Through a letter of agreement, this position receives a 30% increase to the base salary rate. The salary posted on this recruitment reflects the increased rate. This position also receives a 25% increase in pay based on hazardous conditions through a hazard pay letter of agreement.

Southwest Area wildland firefighting operations based out of the McGrath Fire Base offer some of the most unique and challenging firefighting conditions in the country. Due to the roadless nature of the response area, emergency incidents are almost entirely managed from remote field conditions. Initial Attack Wildland Firefighting in Southwest Alaska is the most challenging, dynamic, and rewarding employment experience still available to wildland firefighters.

Incumbents will join a high-reliability, productive, friendly, and Alaska-tough team. Training, travel, extended hours, and career advancement opportunities are all components of the Lead…