Engineering Associate

The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, is recruiting for an Engineering Associate in Palmer, Alaska. What You Will Be Doing:

The Division of Forestry & Fire Protection is the lead Alaskan agency safeguarding Alaska’s people, communities, infrastructure, and natural resources from the threat of wildland fires. We work alongside federal, state, and local emergency response agencies to ensure rapid, and effective fire management. Our success relies on three core values: our people, our equipment, and our facilities, all of which are vital in keeping Alaskans safe. Facilities are the foundation that allows us to operate efficiently, and we need an energetic strategic thinker to ensure our team can meet our mission.

We’re seeking a skilled Facilities Engineer to lead the planning and development of facility projects that enhance our wildfire response capabilities. In this role, you’ll be the key liaison between the Division, DOT&PF, contractors, and operational personnel, driving space planning, mission compatibility, and infrastructure improvements. Your expertise will directly enhance the effectiveness of those on the ground, ensuring that firefighters and emergency responders have the necessary facilities to perform at their best. If you're a dependable problem solver with a passion for public service and infrastructure development, this is your chance to make a lasting impact.

Step up, take the lead, and help shape the future of fire protection in Alaska! Mission and Values/Culture:

The Division of Forestry & Fire Protection’s mission is to safely manage wildland fires that pose a threat to life, property, and critical infrastructure on 150 million acres of land throughout the State of Alaska. The Division of Forestry & Fire Protection works closely with federal, state, and local emergency response agencies to provide wildland fire management and protection for the State of Alaska.

This position is part of a high-functioning team that supports the “boots on the ground†to provide for the safety of people, property, and Alaskan resources. Under its multifaceted functions, the primary goal of this position is to maintain and enhance the division's mission through the provision of adequate and functional facilities. We are seeking an enthusiastic and dependable problem solver to join our team.

Benefits of Joining Our Team:

The benefits of joining the DOF wildland fire team include the opportunity to work with dedicated professionals to achieve fire, fuels, and forestry goals. The opportunity to work in a professional environment with a clear mission that supports the State of Alaska and protects Alaskan residents, businesses, and investments.

The Working Environment You Can Expect:

This Position will be located in Palmer, AK, at 101 S. Airport Road. DOF encourages team building and camaraderie. This environment helps promote friendship and loyalty within the organization. These close-knit relationships motivate our employees and develop trust when working in a fast-paced, emergency response environment. Our team comprises individuals with diverse talents, backgrounds, and abilities.

We are looking for a candidate who possesses the following position-specific competencies.* Engineering and Technology: Knowledge of engineering concepts, principles, and practices, and of equipment, tools, mechanical devices, and their uses to produce motion, light, power, technology, and other applications.

• Project Management: Knowledge of the principles, methods, or tools for developing, scheduling, coordinating, and managing projects and resources, including monitoring and inspecting costs, work, and contractor performance.
  
• 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.
  
• Flexibility: Is open to change and new information; rapidly adapts to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles.
  
• Building and Construction: Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools to construct objects, structures, and buildings.
  

Click hereto learn more about working for the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection.
Minimum Qualifications

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Eight years of progressively responsible work experience in engineering, land surveying or architecture, of which one year was as an Engineering Assistant 3 with the State of Alaska, or the equivalent elsewhere.

Substitution:

ABET accredited college or technical school courses in engineering, architecture, land surveying or a closely related curriculum may be substituted for the non-specific required experience (3 semester/4 quarter hours equal one month). A bachelor's degree with a major in engineering, architecture or land surveying from an institution accredited by ABET may substitute for four years of the non-specific required experience.

Additional Required Information

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Please read the information below carefully. At the time of application, the applicant must attach as individual documents the following items (If unable to attach documents, please fax or email the contact listed below):* Cover letter - see instructions below.
At the time of the interview, please ensure that you provide the following materials:* A list of two professional references with current contact information, with at least one being a current or former supervisor.

• A copy of your two most recent performance evaluations, or letters of reference if evaluations are not available.
  

SPECIAL NOTICES* The primary duty of this position is to represent the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection in the planning and development of facility projects, from conceptual design to completion, ensuring the State of Alaska’s interests are upheld to maximize the value of its investment. This position serves as the primary point of contact with DOT&PF, contractors, and division personnel to establish space requirements, ensure mission compatibility, and facilitate the exchange of information between staff and design engineers. Additionally, it involves building relationships with partner agencies, developing and adhering to project timelines, and coordinating the involvement of subject matter experts and operational facility users. Reporting directly to the Deputy Director of the DOF Fire Protection Program, this role will provide regular briefings and project updates to the DNR Commissioner’s Office.

• This position may require occasional travel within Alaska for meetings and training.
  
• May work towards qualifications for other positions utilized in the Incident Command System.
  
• May be required to work or be available during evenings and/or weekends, as needed.
  

Application Notice

You can ONLY apply for this position through the Workplace Alaska website or a hard copy application. Instructions on how to apply with Workplace Alaska may be found on the Workplace Alaska “How to Apply" page. Your application must be submitted 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 be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment process.

Please attach the cover letter to your application before submitting it online. If you are unable to attach it, please email it to the contact number below.

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 specific behaviors, knowledge, skills, and abilities to accomplish a particular 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 Education

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the minimum qualifications listed above. If utilizing this education, you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the post-secondary institution. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Work Experience

If using work experience not already documented in your application, also provide the employer’s name, job title, employment dates, and whether full or part-time. Applications will be reviewed to determine whether the responses are supported and whether the minimum qualifications are met. If they are not, the applicant may not advance to the recruitment interview and selection phase.

Note: Attaching a resume is not an alternative to filling out the application entirely. Noting, "see resume" or any similar response on any portion of your application may lead to a determination that your application is incomplete and removal from consideration for this job posting. Bargaining Unit

If you are a

current state employee, please mark the union you are a member of at the time of application. Do not complete this question if you are not a current state employee. EEO STATEMENT

The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities who require accommodations, auxiliary aids or services, or alternative communication formats should call 1-800-587-0430 or (907) 465-4095 in Juneau, or use the TTY: Alaska Relay at 711 or 1-800-770-8973, or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at P.O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer.

Please be sure to check your junk folder for any messages that may be sent to you about this recruitment.
Contact Information

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Workplace Alaska Application Questions & Assistance

Questions regarding application submission or system operation errors should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 1-800-587-0430 (toll-free) or (907) 465-4095 if you are in the Juneau area. Requests for information may also be emailed to recruitment.services@alaska.gov.

For assistance with your password, please visit the reset password page.

For specific information about this position, please get in touch with the hiring manager at the following: Name: Norm McDonaldTitle: Fire Protection Deputy DirectorPhone: (907)761-6225Email: norman.mcdonald@alaska.gov

Careers with the State of Alaska offer MANY benefits

The following information describes

typical benefits available to employees of the State of Alaska. Actual benefits received may differ by bargaining unit or branch of government, position type, or be prorated for other than full time work.

For a quick breakdown of the insurance, health, and retirement benefits available for State Employees you can view an orientation video from Division of Retirement and Benefits. (Please note this video is specifically designed for new State Employees.)

Insurance Benefits* Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental

+ The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See https://drb.alaska.gov/help/plans.html for additional information.

• AVTEC
  
• Confidential
  
• Correctional Officers
  
• Marine Engineers
  
• Mt. Edgecumbe Teachers
  
• Supervisory
  
• Unlicensed Vessel Personnel/Inland Boatman's Union
  
• Exempt employees (not covered by collective bargaining)
  

+ The following employee groups are covered by Union health trusts. Contact the appropriate Union for additional information.

• General Government
  
• Labor, Trades and Crafts
  
• Public Safety Employees Association
  
• Masters, Mates & Pilots
  
• Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)
  

Optional Insurance Benefits* Group-based insurance premiums for

+ Term life (employee, spouse or qualified same sex partner, and dependents)

+ Long-term and short-term disability

+ Accidental Death and Dismemberment

+ Long-term care (self and eligible family members)

+ Supplemental Survivor Benefits

• Employee-funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses
  

Retirement Benefits* Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)

• Matching employer contribution into a defined contribution program (new employees)
  
• Employer contribution into a defined benefit or defined contribution program (current employees)
  
• Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan in lieu of contributions to Social Security
  
• Option to enroll in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program
  

Note: The Defined Contribution Plan, Supplemental Annuity Plan and Deferred Compensation Program offer a variety of investment options*

See https://drb.alaska.gov/retiree/ for additional information

Paid Leave & Other Benefits* Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served

• Twelve (12) paid holidays a year