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Posted: February 2, 2026 (1 day ago)

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Wildland Forestry Technician - Tanker Base Technicians (PCN 10-N24031 + 2)

State of Alaska

Natural Resources

Fresh

Location

Salary

From $24.40

per hour

Closes

March 20, 2026More State jobs →

Job Description

Summary

This job involves coordinating aviation operations at a wildland fire air tanker base in Fairbanks, Alaska, including loading aircraft with fire retardant, managing ramp activities, and ensuring safe and efficient responses to wildfires.

It's a hands-on role focused on outdoor work in a team environment to protect forests and communities.

A good fit would be someone physically fit, detail-oriented, and eager to contribute to fire suppression efforts, ideally with prior experience in firefighting or aviation support.

Key Requirements

  • Twelve months of wildland firefighting experience
  • Ability to perform strenuous outdoor work safely and productively
  • Strong accountability and attention to detail in high-pressure situations
  • Adaptability to changing environments and competing priorities
  • Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills for managing operations
  • Decision-making abilities to ensure safe aircraft ramp operations
  • Team-oriented mindset for supporting fire suppression efforts

Full Job Description


The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, is recruiting for a Wildland Fire Forestry Technician 1 – Tanker Base Technician in Fairbanks, Alaska.


This position is open to all applicants.


What You Will Be Doing:

Under direction, this position serves as the coordinator for aviation operations and activities at an air tanker base facility.

This position is accountable for the preparedness and readiness of the aircraft ramp operation to facilitate the safe, orderly, and timely response of aircraft and services to wildland fires.


The duties of a tanker base technician include: parking and loading aircraft with retardant and cargo; ensuring proper mix ratios of retardant and suppressant; and managing aircraft ramp operations.


Mission and Values/Culture:

The Alaska Division of Forestry proudly serves Alaskans through wildland fire suppression, management, and control.

This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated individual to join the men and women who protect millions of acres of our forests, communities, and natural resources.

Individuals must be willing and able to act responsibly while performing strenuous outdoor work safely and productively.

The experience gained as a Tanker Base Crewmember can serve as a foundation for a successful career with the Division of Forestry or other fire-suppression organizations.

Successful individuals work as part of a team dedicated to supporting the men and women who risk their lives suppressing wildland fires in Alaska and across the country.


Benefits of Joining Our Team:

  • You will be a part of something greater than yourself.
  • You will have a sense of family and civic purpose.


The Working Environment You Can Expect:

These positions are based in Fairbanks, Alaska. Most daily duties involve working outdoors on an aircraft ramp.

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

  • Accountability: Holds self and others accountable for measurable, high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for own actions and decisions. Complies with established control systems and rules.
  • Adaptability: Adjusts planned work by gathering relevant information and applying critical thinking to address multiple demands and competing priorities in a changing environment.
  • Analytical Thinking/Problem SolvingUses a logical, systematic, sequential approach to address problems or opportunities or manage a situation by drawing on one’s knowledge and experience base and calling on other references and resources as necessary.
  • Attention to Detail: Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
  • Decision Making: Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.


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

Requirements

Twelve months of wildland fire fighting or forestry field experience, of which at least six months was at the developmental level. The required developmental experience is met by service as a Wildland Fire and Resource Technician 2 with the State of Alaska or the equivalent with another employer.
And
Red Card qualification under the National Incident Qualification System (see required job qualifications special note).

Substitution:
Completed coursework from an accredited college or vocational technical school in forestry, fire science, or a closely related field may substitute for the six months of general field experience. (For college 3 semester hours or 4 quarter hours equal one month of work experience. Transcripts or a letter from a vocational technical school must indicate a college credit equivalency for the completed coursework. For example, at Alaska Vocational Technical Center: Forest Ecology = 3 semester credits; Forest Regeneration = 2 semester credits; Timber Harvesting and Sale Administration = 4 semester credits; and Wildland Fire Management = 3 semester credits.)

There is no substitution for the six months of developmental experience.
There is no substitution for the National Incident Qualification System (Red Card) qualifications.

Special Note: 
Applicants must be at least eighteen years of age.

Most positions require National Incident Qualification System certifications. Because there are different specialty areas in this field, recruitment and selection will be made from among those candidates who meet the experience and the basic National Incident Qualification System training requirements specifically listed within the recruitment bulletin. The specialty areas are within one of the following functions: fire operations, wildland fire prevention, and aviation support.

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.

Applicant 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; 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; flying in small fixed wing aircraft or helicopters, and handling hazardous materials.

Some positions may require a commercial driver's 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:

  • Master Record and/or Current Incident Qualification Card (Red Card).


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.
  • Three professional references.


SPECIAL NOTICES

  • This position requires a working knowledge of the Standards of Airtanker Base Operations.
  • This position requires frequent travel within Alaska and to the Lower 48 States, for periods of up to 30 days.
  • This position requires commitment to long hours, sometimes exceeding 16 hours.
  • This position requires the ability to work and live in remote, primitive locations.
  • To be qualified for this position, you must be Red Card Qualified as Airtanker Base Manager (ATBM), Ramp Manager (RAMP), Mixmaster (MIXM), Retardant Crewmember (RTCM), and/or Fixed Wing Parking Tender (FWPT).


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.


Driver’s License Requirement

Applicants must possess a valid driver's license. Proof of licensure will be required prior to reporting to duty.


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:


Jason Jordet

Fixed Wing Aviation Manager

Phone: 907-761-6280

Email: jason.jordet@alaska.gov

Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes

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Posted on NEOGOV: 2/2/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 2/3/2026

Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-alaska-5221867