Forester 2 - Statewide Rotor Wing Manager (PCN 10-9474)

State Of Alaska•Palmer, AK

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, is recruiting for a Forester 2 - Statewide Rotor Wing Manager in Palmer. This position is open to Alaska Residents only. Please check our residency definition to determine if you qualify. What You Will Be Doing: The Forester 2 (Statewide Rotor Wing Manager) leads the development, coordination, and implementation of aviation (helicopter) strategies throughout the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (DFFP) area of responsibility. This position coordinates, audits, directs, and provides strategic oversight, ensures alignment with state and federal policy, and supports interagency collaboration. This position serves as the principal authority for managing rotorcraft aviation resources in support of wildland fire suppression statewide, ensuring aircraft readiness, strategic deployment, and operational safety. The manager also supports rotorcraft operations and logistical coordination at the statewide, regional, and area levels, ensuring compliance with standards for efficiency, safety, and environmental compliance. Additionally, the Rotorcraft Aviation Program Manager assists the Operational Fire Management Officer in providing rotorcraft aviation support for a geographic region comprised of multiple areas, ensuring regional needs are met through effective resource allocation and coordination. By integrating aviation assets into fire management strategies and maintaining interagency collaboration, this role plays a vital part in protecting lives, property, and natural resources from wildfire threats. 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 ensure the safety of people, property, and Alaska's natural resources. The Statewide Helicopter Manager plays a critical role in coordinating aviation operations across the state, ensuring that facilities, equipment, and personnel are prepared to meet mission demands. 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 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 foster trust when working in a fast-paced, emergency-response environment. Our team is made up of individuals with diverse talents, backgrounds, and abilities. We are looking for a candidate who possesses the following position-specific competencies. Change Management: Knowledge of change management principles, strategies, and techniques required for effectively planning, implementing, and evaluating change in the organization. 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. Computer Skills: Uses computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work. 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.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college in forestry, natural resources, or a closely related field that includes a minimum of 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours in forestry or closely related curricula.
One year of professional entry level forestry experience. The required experience is met by service as Forester 1 with the State of Alaska, or the equivalent with another employer.
Three years of journey level technical experience in fire or forest resources management. This experience includes work such as Natural Resource Technician 3, Wildland Fire and Resource Technician 3, Wildland Forestry Technician 2, or Wildland Fire Dispatcher 2 with the State of Alaska, or the equivalent with another employer.
Applicants must possess a valid driver's license.
Requires travel within the state for meetings, site visits, conferences, and events at regional and area offices located in Fairbanks, Palmer, Delta, Tok, Soldotna, Glenallen, and McGrath.

Responsibilities

The Forester 2 (Statewide Rotor Wing Manager) leads the development, coordination, and implementation of aviation (helicopter) strategies throughout the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (DFFP) area of responsibility.
This position coordinates, audits, directs, and provides strategic oversight, ensures alignment with state and federal policy, and supports interagency collaboration.
This position serves as the principal authority for managing rotorcraft aviation resources in support of wildland fire suppression statewide, ensuring aircraft readiness, strategic deployment, and operational safety.
The manager also supports rotorcraft operations and logistical coordination at the statewide, regional, and area levels, ensuring compliance with standards for efficiency, safety, and environmental compliance.
Additionally, the Rotorcraft Aviation Program Manager assists the Operational Fire Management Officer in providing rotorcraft aviation support for a geographic region comprised of multiple areas, ensuring regional needs are met through effective resource allocation and coordination.
By integrating aviation assets into fire management strategies and maintaining interagency collaboration, this role plays a vital part in protecting lives, property, and natural resources from wildfire threats.

Benefits

Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental
Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)
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
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
Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
Twelve (12) paid holidays a year