Natural Resource Specialist 3 Apply
Full job description
Are you interested in land use planning and policy development for Alaskas natural resources? The Department of Natural Resources is recruiting for a Natural Resource Specialist 3 to join the Resource Assessment and Development Section (RADS) of the Division of Mining, Land and Water. Based in the Anchorage office, this position develops plans for the future use and management of Alaska's state-owned land and water, aiming toward maximum use consistent with the public interest. By providing a link between the citizens and the agencies charged with managing their land, this position offers a unique opportunity to contribute towards determining Alaskas land use policies and establishing a sustainable future for Alaskans.
Mission and Culture
The State of Alaska's Department of Natural Resources manages over 100 million acres of lands and waters, with the mission to Develop, conserve and maximize the use of Alaska's natural resources consistent with the public interest. The DMLW's mission is To provide for the appropriate use and management of Alaska's state-owned land and water, aiming toward maximum use consistent with the public interest.
This positions role in RADS is to support DNR and DMLWs mission by developing area plans for large areas of state land (up to 15 million acres) that designate land for certain uses and establish management guidelines for major resources, land uses, and specific parcels of land within the planning area. RADS also develops management plans that may focus on a smaller geographic area or resource and provide more detailed guidance to the Department. RADS is dedicated to creating a culture that upholds the principles of responsible resource development, environmental stewardship, and inclusive decision-making for the benefit of all Alaskans.
Core Responsibilities
This position functions as the project manager in developing plans for state lands that DNR manages. This position is responsible for managing all aspects of the plan development process, including developing robust public engagement processes, and formulating land and resource allocation proposals, policies, management intent, and guidelines for large areas of state lands. This position represents the department in several capacities, including as a member of planning teams or advisory committees that interpret and discuss policy issues. This position involves engendering trust and building relationships with staff and decision-makers in various agencies; developing extensive expertise in planning, long-standing issues, federal and state regulatory frameworks, policies, and land management authorities; and negotiating frequently with parties that may not share the Department's perspective.
Benefits of Joining Our Team
You will be joining a lively team of experienced natural resource professionals with diverse backgrounds. Since this position collaborates with most sections within the division as well as most divisions within DNR, you will have significant opportunities to learn about the work of DMLW and other programs within the department. We offer flexible work schedules and teleworking opportunities to help foster a good work/life balance.
The Working Environment You Can Expect
This position is located in downtown Anchorage in the Robert B. Atwood Building. With a private cubicle in a friendly office setting, this is primarily an office position with opportunities for occasional travel throughout the state to research information, meet with the public and agency representatives, and conduct public meetings. Travel methods include jet aircraft, small commercial aircraft, boats, highway vehicles, off-highway vehicles, and overland travel. This travel often requires overnight stays and may include camping in remote areas of Alaska.
This is a challenging and engaging job with a diverse workload. The planning staff works with a wide variety of stakeholders, and the incumbent must be able to foster and maintain working relationships with local, state, and federal agency staff that we interact with routinely. Planning staff also frequently interact with the public during the planning process, and the incumbent must be able to present complex and controversial information in a variety of settings.
The successful candidate should possess and be able to demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities.
- Communication Skills: Strong communication skills, including the ability to effectively deal with aggressive or contentious people and convey complex or controversial information verbally and in writing. Skilled in active listening to understand different perspectives, resolve conflicts, and find solutions to complex issues. Strong ability to identify how to engage with stakeholders to build consensus, mediate, or facilitate resolution of issues.
- Data Management and Analysis: Sound working knowledge of ArcGIS, including the ability to run data analysis and create and edit resource-themed maps and other products. Ability to learn and manage multiple databases and programs. Ability to gather, interpret, and summarize a wide variety of information used in developing plans for DNR-managed lands. This includes information on land status, authorizations, settlement, forestry, recreation, fish and wildlife, geology, materials, oil and gas, trails and transportation, water, heritage resources and a variety of other types of information utilized in the planning process.
- Decision Making: Working knowledge of the practices and principles of natural resource management. Ability to analyze and resolve complex issues by effectively interpreting statutes, regulations, and policies. Experience researching and analyzing information from various sources and recommending a course of action. Ability to demonstrate independent and collaborative problem-solving skills.
- Teamwork: Ability to excel in a dynamic work environment, handling multiple tasks and changing priorities. Ability to work independently and as a member of a team. Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships. Ability to successfully lead team members, including assigning tasks, setting work priorities, and evaluating and training staff.
Minimum Qualifications
- Analytical Thinking/Problem Solving: uses a logical, systematic, sequential approach to address problems or opportunities or manage a situation by drawing on ones knowledge and experience base and calling on other references and resources as necessary.
- 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.
- Environmental Science: Knowledge of the interdisciplinary concepts, principles, theories, and methods of investigating the natural and physical environment, including examination of ecology, biology, physics, chemistry, plant science, zoology, mineralogy, oceanography, limnology, soil science, geology and physical geography, atmospheric, and other related sciences in the protection and improvement of the environment and its resources.
- Legal, Government, and Jurisprudence: Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, legal practices and documents, Government regulations, Executive orders, agency rules, Government organization and functions, and the democratic political process.
- Writing: Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.
equivalent to those typically gained by:
Definitions:
Professional experience means work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the power or right to decide or act according to one's own judgment.
Progressively responsible means indicating growth and/or advancement in complexity, difficulty, or level of responsibility.
Qualified means is assessed to credibly possess the competencies needed to learn the job in a reasonable period.
Training and education in this guidance are synonyms for the process of acquiring knowledge and skills through instruction. It includes instruction through formal and informal methods (such as classroom, on-line, self-study, and on-the-job), from accredited and unaccredited sources, and long duration (such as a post-secondary degree) and short-duration (such as a seminar) programs.
Typically gained by means the prevalent, usual method of gaining the competencies expected for entry into the job.
Special Note:
Additional Required Information
At the time of application,the applicant must attach as individual documents the following items (If unable to attach documents, please fax or email the contact listed below):
- Professionally formatted cover letter please see cover letter information below for more information on the cover letter requirements.
- Copies of academic transcripts if using post-secondary education to meet the minimum qualifications.
- Three professional references (with current telephone numbers) that can be contacted regarding your job qualifications, at least two of which must be a current or former supervisor.
- Copies of your two most recent performance evaluations or, if evaluations are unavailable, two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a current or former supervisor.
- Applicants must possess a valid Alaska drivers license.
- This position requires occasional travel throughout the state to research information, meet with the public and agency representatives, and conduct public meetings. Travel methods include jet aircraft, small commercial aircraft, boats, highway vehicles, off-highway vehicles, and overland travel. This travel often requires overnight stays and may include camping in remote areas of Alaska.
Application Notice
You can ONLY apply for this position through the Workplace Alaska website or a hardcopy application. If you accessed this recruitment bulletin through a job search portal, such as AlaskaJobs or any other database, you MUST use a Workplace Alaska online or hardcopy application to apply successfully. Instructions on how to apply with Workplace Alaska may be found on the Workplace Alaska How to Apply\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" page. Your application must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Alaska Standard Time on the closing date.
Cover Letter
A cover letter is required for this position. The cover letter should explain how you meet the minimum qualifications for the position and highlight your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience as they pertain to the responsibilities listed in the job description above.
The cover letter will be used as a writing sample and will help determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment and selection process.
Please attach the cover letter to your application before submitting it online. If you can't attach it, email it to the address provided in the job posting.
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 obtained a degree, please indicate the units completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials if used to meet the minimum qualifications for a position. Transcripts can be attached at the time of application or provided at the time of the interview.
Special Instructions for Foreign Education
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the minimum qualifications listed above. If utilizing this education, you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the post-secondary institution. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.
Work Experience
If using work experience not already documented in your application, also provide the employers name, job title, employment dates, and whether full or part-time. Applications will be reviewed to determine whether the responses are supported and minimum qualifications are clearly met. If they are not, the applicant may not advance to the recruitment interview and selection phase.
Note: Attaching a resume is not an alternative to filling out the application entirely. 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 mark the union you are a member of at the time of application. Do not complete this question if you are not a current state employee.
Drivers License Requirement
Applicants must possess a valid driver's license. Proof of licensure will be required prior to reporting to duty.
EEO Statement
The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-0430 or 465-4095 in Juneau or (907) 465-3412 (TTY) 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.
Contact Information
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 reset password page.
For specific information about this position, please get in touch with the hiring manager at the following:
Name: Monica Alvarez
The following information describes typical benefits available to employees of the State of Alaska. Actual benefits received may differ by bargaining unit or branch of government, position type, or be prorated for other than full time work.
For a quick breakdown of the insurance, health, and retirement benefits available for State Employees you can view an orientation video from Division of Retirement and Benefits. (Please note this video is specifically designed for new State Employees.)
Insurance Benefits
- Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental
- The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See https://drb.alaska.gov/help/plans.html for additional information.
- AVTEC
- Confidential
- Correctional Officers
- Marine Engineers
- Mt. Edgecumbe Teachers
- Supervisory
- Unlicensed Vessel Personnel/Inland Boatman's Union
- Exempt employees (not covered by collective bargaining)
- The following employee groups are covered by Union health trusts. Contact the appropriate Union for additional information.
- General Government
- Labor, Trades and Crafts
- Public Safety Employees Association
- Masters, Mates & Pilots
- The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See https://drb.alaska.gov/help/plans.html for additional information.
- 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
Retirement Benefits
- 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
- Note: The Defined Contribution Plan, Supplemental Annuity Plan and Deferred Compensation Program offer a variety of investment options
- Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
- Eleven paid holidays a year
