Job Details

Forester 5 - Wildland Fire Operations Chief (PCN 10-0395)

Join to apply for the Forester 5 - Wildland Fire Operations Chief (PCN 10-0395) role at State of Alaska

Forester 5 - Wildland Fire Operations Chief (PCN 10-0395)

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Join to apply for the Forester 5 - Wildland Fire Operations Chief (PCN 10-0395) role at State of Alaska

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The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, is recruiting for a Forester 5 – Wildland Fire Operations Chief. This position will be located in either Palmer, Fairbanks, or Fort Wainwright, depending on the applicant's preference.

What You Will Be Doing

The Wildland Fire Operations Chief plays a critical leadership role in advancing the State of Alaska's mission of wildland fire suppression, preparedness, prevention, and mitigation. This position is responsible for fostering strong interagency relationships and facilitating resource sharing at the state, national, and international levels. The Operations Chief provides strategic direction and operational oversight to regional and area fire management officers, ensuring readiness and effective response to wildland fire incidents. A key focus is leading and mentoring firefighters and fire managers to build a resilient, skilled, and mission-driven workforce. The role also involves close coordination with the DOF fire leadership team in logistics, public information, prevention, planning, and finance to deliver a cohesive and high-performing fire management program. This position demands a visionary leader with a collaborative attitude and a commitment to public service.

Mission And Values/Culture

The Division of Forestry & Fire Protection's mission is to safely manage wildland fires that threaten life, property, and critical infrastructure across 150 million acres. We achieve this by ensuring that our firefighting personnel, equipment, and infrastructure are maintained in a state of readiness and by collaborating closely with international, federal, state, and local emergency response agencies to provide effective wildland fire management and protection for the State of Alaska.

Benefits Of Joining Our Team

The benefits of joining the DOF wildland fire team include working alongside dedicated professionals to achieve Alaska's fire suppression, prevention, preparedness, and mitigation goals. You'll be part of a mission-driven organization that protects Alaskan residents, infrastructure, and natural resources. Our team fosters a professional, collaborative environment where your work has real impact. We emphasize leadership development, innovation, and interagency cooperation to build a resilient and effective fire program. Joining us means advancing an important mission while growing your career in one of the most dynamic fire management landscapes in the nation.

The Working Environment You Can Expect

The primary office is located in Fairbanks, with an alternate duty station in Palmer. The selected candidate will join a collaborative team of highly motivated professionals who value service, innovation, and teamwork in support of Alaska's wildland fire mission. Working in Alaska offers the unique opportunity to protect diverse landscapes and communities while enjoying a lifestyle that supports outdoor adventure. Travel within the state is expected, with additional opportunities for national and international engagement in fire management policy, training, and resource sharing.

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.
• Flexibility: Is open to change and new information; rapidly adapts to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles.
• 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.
• Public Service Motivation: Shows a commitment to serve the public. Ensures that actions meet public needs; aligns organizational objectives and practices with public interests.
• Teamwork: Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
  
  

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Director

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Research, Analyst, and Information Technology

• Industries

  Government Administration

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