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Posted: December 30, 2025 (15 days ago)

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Wildland Fire & Resource Tech 1 / Entry-Level Hotshot Crewmember / PIONEER PEAK (PCN 10-N17063-65)

State of Alaska

Natural Resources

Older

Location

Salary

From $24.21

per hour

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February 7, 2026More State jobs →

Job Description

Summary

This entry-level job involves working as a hotshot firefighter on a specialized crew, fighting wildfires by digging lines, using tools like chainsaws and pumps, and helping with forest maintenance tasks in tough outdoor conditions.

It's based in Palmer, Alaska, with frequent travel to remote fire sites across the US and Canada, often involving long hikes, camping, and intense physical work for weeks at a time.

A good fit would be someone who's physically tough, enjoys team-based challenges, and is committed to public service in wildland protection.

Key Requirements

  • Physical strength and agility to perform heavy manual labor, including bending, lifting, climbing, and walking for extended periods
  • Teamwork skills to cooperate effectively with a crew and achieve shared goals
  • Resilience to handle high-pressure situations, adversity, and quick recovery from setbacks
  • Adaptability to adjust to changing environments, multiple demands, and critical thinking on the job
  • Integrity and honesty to uphold ethical standards in a professional firefighting role
  • Ability to work in remote areas for 14-21 days at a time, with 100+ days per year on incidents, including tent camping without cell service
  • Willingness to operate under supervision with tools like chainsaws, pumps, and fire gear

Full Job Description

The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, is recruiting for multiple Wildland Fire & Resource Technician 1 positions in Palmer, Alaska, to serve as Entry-Level Hotshot Firefighters on the PIONEER PEAK IHC.


The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, is recruiting for multiple Wildland Fire & Resource Technician 1 positions in Palmer, Alaska, to serve as Entry-Level Hotshot Firefighters on the PIONEER PEAK IHC.


This position is open to all applicants.


What You Will Be Doing:

  • Digging hand line, operating power saws, and water pumps.
  • Maintaining fire gear readiness and working on hazard fuels mitigation projects.
  • Work may entail piling limbs and slash, assisting in burn operations, and climbing and pruning trees.
  • Position may operate chainsaws under the direct supervision of higher-level positions.
  • Other duties include personal gear and equipment maintenance (nozzles, hose, chainsaws, tools, and personal gear).


Mission and Values/Culture:

The Pioneer Peak Interagency Hotshot Crew is a State of Alaska Wildfire Crew whose main objective is to support Alaska and the United States with a production-oriented fire management service and all-hazard response.

Pioneer Peak IHC is a group of 25 individuals dedicated to overcoming all odds together to provide a reliable and competent crew of Type 1 Wildland Fire Operators.

Our goal is to build better people, firefighters, and leaders through hard work and dedication.

Duty, Respect, and Integrity are applied to all aspects of our work as professional wildland firefighters.


Benefits of Joining Our Team:

  • As a Crew Member on Pioneer Peak, you will be working with a highly efficient, very productive team that uses solid communication and aggressive tactics to accomplish goals safely and effectively.
  • You will push yourself mentally and physically to achieve things you did not think possible.
  • You will be a part of something greater than yourself and have a sense of family and civic purpose.


The Working Environment You Can Expect:

  • Based out of Palmer, Alaska.
  • Dispatched nationally and to Canada to respond to fires and all risk incidents.
  • Working and living in remote environments with no internet or cell service.
  • 14-21 days hiking to work and performing manual labor tasks.
  • You will be committed to incidents for 100 plus days a year and sleeping in a tent most of these nights.
  • Working as a single resource or as part of a team.


We are looking for a candidate who possesses the following position-specific competencies.

  • Physical Strength and Agility: Ability to bend, lift, climb, stand, and walk for long periods of time; ability to perform moderately heavy laboring work.
  • Teamwork: Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
  • Resilience: Deals effectively with pressure; remains optimistic and persistent, even under adversity. Recovers quickly from setbacks.
  • Adaptability: Adjusts planned work by gathering relevant information and applying critical thinking to address multiple demands and competing priorities in a changing environment.
  • Integrity/Honesty: Contributes to maintaining the integrity of the organization; displays high standards of ethical conduct and understands the impact of violating these standards on an organization, self, and others; is trustworthy.

Click here to learn more about working for the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection.

Requirements

Must be eighteen years of age.Special Note: Applicant 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.

Must possess an Alaska driver's license. An individual without an Alaska driver's 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 driver's 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; must be on 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; must fly in small fixed wing aircraft or helicopters; and handling hazardous materials.

Some positions require a commercial driver license with appropriate endorsements.

Qualifications

** 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:

  • Proof of Enrollment or Completion of the following courses: S-130/S-190/L-180/I-100/IS-700.


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:

  • Resume.
  • Valid driver’s license.
  • Passport, if you have one.
  • Three professional references.


SPECIAL NOTICES

  • This position requires frequent travel within Alaska, Canada & the Lower 48 States, for periods of up to 30 days.
  • This position requires commitment to working long hours, sometimes in excess of 16 hours per day.
  • This position requires the ability to work and live in remote, primitive locations with a limited ability to communicate with friends & family while on assignment.


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 applicant’s 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. 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 at foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the minimum qualifications listed above.

If using this education to meet minimum qualification requirements, you must demonstrate that the credentials have been submitted to a private organization specializing in interpreting foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in standard U.S.

education programs. Alternatively, an accredited U.S.

post-secondary institution must report that the other institution's transcript is given full value or that full value is recognized in relevant subject areas aligned with the post-secondary institution's curricula.

It is your responsibility to provide this 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 a substitute for completing the application in its entirety. 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 indicate the union to which you belong at the time of application. Do not complete this question if you are not a current state employee.


Firearms

This position requires the use or possession of a firearm or ammunition. In accordance with the federal Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act of 1997 (PL 104-208), if you have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, you may not hold this position.


A "misdemeanor crime of domestic violence" is an offense that is (1) a misdemeanor under Federal or state law and (2) has, as an element, the use or attempted use of physical force or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, committed by a current or former spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabiting with or has cohabited with the victim as a spouse, parent, or guardian, or by a person similarly situated to a spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim.


If you have ever been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, do NOT apply for this position.


Please ensure your application (through work history, training, education, licenses, certifications, etc.) supports/demonstrates that you possess the minimum required competencies for the job class.


EEO STATEMENTThe State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Individuals with disabilities who require accommodation, auxiliary aids or services, or alternative communication formats should call 1-800-587-0430 or (907) 465-4095 in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 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.




Additional Information

If you choose to be contacted by email, please ensure that your email address is correct on your application and that your spam filter will permit emails from the governmentjobs.com domain.


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 password reset page.


For specific information about this position, please get in touch with the hiring manager at the following:


Kris Baumgartner

Crew Superintendent

Phone: 907-841-9716

FAX: 907-761-6319

Email: kris.baumgartner@alaska.gov

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Posted on NEOGOV: 12/30/2025 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 12/31/2025

Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-alaska-5183525