Wildland Fire & Resource Technician 5 - Assistant Fire Management Officer (PCN 10-9506) Salary $38.81 Hourly Location Fairbanks, AK Job Type Full Time Job Number 52744 Department Natural Resources Division Forestry & Fire Protection Opening Date 02/02/2026 Closing Date 2/27/2026 5:00 PM Alaska Position Open To All Applicants Bargaining Unit Supervisory Range 15 Description Benefits Questions Job Description
The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, is recruiting for a Wildland Fire & Resource Technician 5 in Fairbanks, Alaska. This position is open to all applicants. What You Will Be Doing:
This position serves as the Assistant Fire Management Officer for the Fairbanks office of the AK Division of Forestry & Fire Protection. The incumbent will manage the local fire program and ensure safe, efficient, and effective fire prevention, fire preparedness, and fire suppression in accordance with Alaska statutes and the Alaska Interagency Wildland Fire Management Plan. Daily, the incumbent will:
Ensure that initial attack resources are trained and ready to respond to new incidents. Direct initial attack response. And serve as safety officer and duty officer for the local area.
Provide ongoing supervision to more than 30 full-time state employees, with authority/responsibility to hire, train, assign work, and evaluate performance. Attend planning meetings. Provide oversight and direction to the local Helitack/engine, prevention, fuels, training, and emergency firefighter programs.
Mission and Values/Culture:
The Division of Forestry and Fire Protections mission is to protect the lives and property of Alaskans from wildfires and to manage Alaskas forest resources for maximum sustainable yield. Fairbanks Area Forestrys fire suppression responsibilities encompass approximately 9 million acres in the central interior of Alaska, including the Fairbanks North Star and Denali Boroughs. In many locations, FAF is the primary and sometimes only fire department response to wildfires.
Fairbanks Areas core structure is comprised of highly motivated firefighters who excel under adverse conditions, possess a strong, can-do work ethic, emphasize personal and professional integrity through continuous improvement, and are committed to building a team-focused wildland firefighter community.
Wildland Fire and Resource Technicians are on the front lines, ensuring Alaska meets its objectives of providing safe, competent, and community-focused wildfire protection and sustainable forest management for Alaskas diverse user groups.
Benefits of Joining Our Team:
Selected candidates will be part of a high-performing and community-oriented organization that provides firefighting response to wildfires threatening Alaskas residents, communities, and infrastructure. Individuals who are safety-minded, team-oriented, and thrive in a learning environment will have ample opportunities for upward mobility and training.
This position is especially attractive to those who enjoy working outdoors, traveling across Alaska and the Lower-48, are interested in a dynamic, challenging first-responder career path, and are committed to public service.
The Working Environment You Can Expect:
Fairbanks Area Forestry resides along the banks of the Chena River in downtown Fairbanks, Alaska. FAFs fire suppression organization is comprised of Type-6 & 7 engines, Helitack, Prevention, the White Mountain Type-2IA hand crew, EFF Type-2 hand crews, and dozer operations. Personnel staff engines, helicopters, and hand crews on a daily basis and are ready to respond to wildfires not only within FAFs protection area, but across Alaska.
When not on fires, fire staff are regularly engaged in training and fuels mitigation projects that enhance strategic and tactical fire suppression options and strengthen community wildland fire protection.
A high level of physical fitness is required, and all initial attack personnel are expected to participate in daily physical training and to complete annually required fitness testing.
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.
Interpersonal Skills:
Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.
Adaptability:
Adjusts planned work by gathering relevant information and applying critical thinking to address multiple demands and competing priorities in a changing environment.
Teamwork:
Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
Physical Strength and Agility:
Ability to bend, lift, climb, stand, and walk for long periods of time; ability to perform moderately heavy laboring work.
Minimum Qualifications
Red Card qualification under the National Incident Qualification System (see required job qualifications special note).
And Either:
Twelve months of advanced level wildland fire fighting experience in the fire management program. This required experience includes work as a Wildland Fire and Resource Technician 4 with the State of Alaska or the equivalent with another employer.
Or:
Twenty-four months of journey level experience in the fire program in fire suppression or in a support capacity. This required experience includes work as a Wildland Fire and Resource Technician 3 with the State of Alaska or the equivalent with another employer.
Or:
Twenty-four months of journey level logistics dispatch experience. This required experience includes such work as Wildland Fire Dispatcher 2 with the State of Alaska or the equivalent with another employer.
There is no substitution for the National Incident Qualification System (Red Card) qualifications.
Special Note: Applicants must be at least eighteen years of age.
Most positions require National Incident Qualification System certifications. Because there are different specialty areas in this field, recruitment and selection will be made from among those candidates who meet the experience and the basic National Incident Qualification System training requirements specifically listed in the recruitment bulletin. The specialty areas are within one of the following functions: fire operations, wildland fire prevention, and aviation support.
For positions assigned work in the field, applicants must be able to pass the Work Capacity Test at the "Arduous" level as defined in Federal Publication PMS 307, Work Capacity Test Administrator Guide. This test requires that the applicant complete a 3-mile hike carrying a 45-pound pack over level terrain in 45 minutes or less.
For office positions that do not require field work, applicants are not required to pass an "Arduous" level Work Capacity test.
Applicant must possess an Alaska drivers license. An individual without an Alaska drivers license, who meets the minimum age and experience requirements, may apply for the vacancy. An applicant qualifying under this option may receive a job offer conditional upon acquisition of an Alaska drivers license. Proof of licensure will be required prior to reporting to duty.
Positions may require travel both in and out-of-state for fire suppression assignments; stand-by or recall status during the fire season; must be available for assignments in and out of the area that requires the absence from the duty station for 14 to 21 days; flying in small fixed wing aircraft or helicopters, and handling hazardous materials.
Some positions may require a commercial drivers 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 will result in non-consideration. If you are unable to attach documents, please fax or email the contact listed below.
Required documents include:
Master Record and/or Current Incident Qualification Card (Red Card).
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:
Copy of a valid drivers license.
Three professional references (names, emails, and phone numbers). Minimum of one from a current or former supervisor.
Copies of forestry/fire-related training certificates.
Copies of your two most recent performance evaluations or letters of reference, if evaluations are not available.
SPECIAL NOTICES
Candidates shall have the ability to obtain NWCG qualifications of Incident Commander Type-3 (ICT-3), and Division Supervisor (DIVS).
Requires frequent in-and-out of-state travel on assignments lasting 14-21 days. A valid drivers license is required to operate engines and vehicles. Travel by helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft may be required daily. Ability to perform in remote, hazardous, and arduous work environments requiring a high level of physical fitness and self-sufficiency with no lodging provided.
Requires the use or possession of a firearm.
Basic computer skills and the ability to accurately complete administrative duties such as timesheets, cost coding, and travel.
Must be able to pass the Work Capacity Test at the "Arduous" level as defined in the Federal Publication PMS 307, Work Capacity Test Administrators Guide. This test requires that the applicant complete a 3-mile hike carrying a 45-pound pack over level terrain in 45 minutes or less.
Classification Study Notice
This position is currently under review as part of the Forest and Fire Management job class study. Therefore, 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) utilizes four proficiency levels to measure and describe an applicants 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.