Natural Resource Specialist 2 (PCN 10-1726)

State of Alaska•Fairbanks, AK

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land & Water, is recruiting a Natural Resource Specialist 2 for the DMLW Northern Region Permits and Easements Team in Fairbanks. The position is open to Alaska residents only. The team evaluates permit requests to use state land and authorizes easements for long-term needs. Assigned cases may be novel, complex, and controversial, requiring creative solutions. The specialist documents findings in administrative decisions explaining how conclusions were reached. The role supports management of state-owned land by evaluating proposed uses, deciding whether they are appropriate, and determining whether modifications are needed for a project to proceed. Work includes independent and collaborative decision-making, with occasional short-duration fieldwork and site inspections to assess land-use impacts and compliance with authorizations. Field travel may follow interior road corridors or, less frequently, reach remote locations by small plane, helicopter, ATV, snowmachine, or boat. Inspections take place in summer and winter conditions. The position is based at the Fairbanks office, located on a wooded campus along the Chena River. The team offers a hybrid telework model, flexible schedules, autonomy, and land-management training. Applicants must possess a valid driver’s license. The role is open to Alaska residents only.

Requirements

Any combination of education and/or experience providing competencies in analytical thinking and problem solving, decision-making, legal, government and jurisprudence knowledge, oral communication, and writing.
Typically gained through education in a natural resource field, public administration, planning, economics, cartography, or a closely related field, and/or professional-level experience in natural resource management.
Possess a valid driver’s license.
Alaska residency is required.
Ability to conduct fieldwork and travel to inspection sites, including remote locations and in summer and winter conditions.

Nice To Haves

Experience or education in natural resource management, such as management of land, water, mineral, forest, oil, gas, agricultural, archaeological, natural and cultural history, park, or related surface and subsurface resources.
Competencies in research and compliance inspection.

Responsibilities

Evaluate requests for permits to use state land.
Authorize easements for a variety of long-term needs.
Develop creative solutions for novel, complex, and controversial cases.
Document findings in administrative decisions and explain the basis for conclusions.
Determine whether proposed uses of state land are appropriate and whether modifications to proposed activities are needed.
Conduct site inspections to verify compliance with authorizations or assist other DNR personnel with compliance inspections and site monitoring.
Participate in field inspections to assess land-use impacts and inspect existing authorizations for compliance.