New Job Natural Resource Specialist 1/2/3 (Pcn 5261) In Alaska

What You Will Be Doing
The successful incumbent will develop projects, conduct extensive research, and develop interpretive products that complement planning efforts. This includes developing interpretive topics and themes for written, audio-visual, or other interpretive media, which includes tracking interpretive messages through graphics development and layout. Skills in resource planning and management are required for small-scale to wider community or department plans – this will include assisting in the public process in a planning effort and providing interpretation and planning assistance to other partners or agencies. Skills in program planning and partnership development will complement planning and design efforts when creating interpretive and educational products and programs. Finally, publication development (layout, design, and production), as well as proper archiving of the interpretive media, are the remaining essential duties of this position. The incumbent will demonstrate the ability to gain proficiency with various graphic development, mapping, and publication software, as well as scanners and other equipment used within the work unit, while maintaining an inventory of existing publications.

Natural Resource Specialist 1 (NRS 1). Under supervision, the NRS 1 performs entry-level work in the development of interpretation programs and planning documents that facilitate the implementation of the State Parks Strategic Plan to conserve and interpret natural, cultural, and historic resources, including state parks.

Natural Resource Specialist 2 (NRS 2). Under general supervision, the NRS 2 performs journey-level work in the development of interpretation programs and planning documents that facilitate the implementation of the State Parks Strategic Plan to conserve and interpret natural, cultural, and historic resources, including state parks.

Natural Resource Specialist 3 (NRS 3). Under general direction, the NRS 3 performs advanced-level professional work in the development of interpretation programs and planning documents that facilitate the implementation of the State Parks Strategic Plan to conserve and interpret natural, cultural, and historic resources, including state parks.

The Natural Resource Specialist (NRS) position will be offered at either level 1, 2, or 3, depending upon the qualification of the highest ranked candidate.

Mission and Culture
This position is assigned to the Interpretation and Education Unit of the Design and Construction Section within the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation. The incumbent is responsible for researching and developing interpretive products that complement planning efforts. They are to conceive, design, produce, and maintain archives of interpretive materials to assist the division in pursuit of its mission to provide outdoor recreation opportunities and to conserve and interpret natural, cultural, and historic resources for the use, enjoyment, and welfare of the people.
The incumbent will work within the Department and with other various project partners to promote interpretation and education through the completion of written publications and plans, programs and stories, brochures and panels, graphics, exhibits, videos, and other printed or multimedia materials

Benefits of Joining Our Team
The Interpretation and Education Unit and overall Design and Construction team are a tight-knit section focused on supporting one another in project success and professional growth. The unit is known for its friendly work environment and fostering a strong sense of camaraderie among its team members.

The Working Environment You Can Expect
This position is primarily stationed in the Atwood Building in downtown Anchorage. The position balances office work during the research, writing, and planning of interpretive planning or media projects with occasional fieldwork and short site visits throughout the state during project planning and research phases. Additionally, there may be occasional off-site training or planning efforts required with our partners across the state.

Who We Are Looking For
Knowledge of the principles of interpretation (both textually and visually) is a skill required of this incumbent. Most of their time is spent crafting interpretive and educational messages. A well-spoken, even-tempered, engaging personality is required for professional interactions both in interpretive media development and planning efforts. The incumbent must be able to plan for and participate effectively in conferences, meetings, and interviews.

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualities:

• Effective Communicator: Communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, to convey ideas and concepts clearly and succinctly.
• Organized: Organize project goals, information, and schedules to develop a smooth workflow for complete project development and on-schedule delivery.
• Detail-Oriented: Focused on details to ensure industry best standards in interpretation and education are being upheld.
• Problem-Solver: Possess the ability to apply basic principles to develop cost-effective and practical solutions to support the division’s capital needs.
• Interpersonal Skills: Develop positive working relationships with peers, clients/customers, agencies, and contractors to ensure the success of projects.

Minimum Qualifications

Natural Resource Specialist 1 – Starting Salary $1848.75
Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with competencies in:

• 
  Analytical Thinking/Problem Solving: uses 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.
• Oral 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 presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
• Reading: Understands and interprets written material, including technical material, rules, regulations, instructions, reports, charts, graphs, or tables; applies what is learned from written material to specific situations.
• 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:
Education from an accredited college and/or experience in natural resource management.

Natural Resource Specialist 2 – Starting Salary $2123.25
Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with competencies in:

• Analytical Thinking/Problem Solving: uses 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Oral 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 presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
• 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:
Education in a natural resource field (such as forestry, geology, agronomy, and hydrology), public administration, planning, economics, cartography, or a closely related field and/or professional level experience in natural resource management.

Natural Resource Specialist 3 – Starting Salary $2446.50
Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with competencies in:

• Analytical Thinking/Problem Solving: uses 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.
• 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:
Education in a natural resource field such as forestry, geology, agronomy, and hydrology, law, public administration, planning, economics, or a closely related field and/or progressively responsible professional experience in natural resource management.

Definitions:
“Competencies” means a combination of interrelated knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors that enable a person to act effectively in a job or situation.

“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:
For purposes of the minimum qualifications, natural resource management is defined as the management of the land, water, mineral, forest, oil, gas, agricultural, archaeological, natural and cultural history, park, and related surface and subsurface resources. Experience or education in natural resource management means involvement in the above resources exclusively. Those with experience or education in managing these resources may specialize in different management functions (for example, planning, regulation, research or title). All of this experience is applicable to the natural resource management definition. Some positions may require education in a particular area of natural resource management or specific technical knowledge and training gained through specialized education or progressively greater responsibilities at the lower levels of the series.

Additional Required Information

THIS RECRUITMENT IS FOR ALASKA RESIDENTS ONLY
This recruitment is open to Alaska Residents only. Applicants must meet Alaska Residency Requirements to be considered for employment at this time.

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):

• Cover letter

If selected for an interview , the applicant must provide the following:

• Resume with three professional references
• Educational transcripts
• List of certifications pertaining to this position
• Representative copies, one each, of a graphic design, interpretive material, and writing/planning document created by the applicant
• Driver’s license

SPECIAL NOTICES

• As your work becomes more independent, your position may require a small amount of travel for site inspection work - mostly via passenger car or commercial aircraft but may occasionally consist of travel on small planes and watercraft.

Application Notice
You can ONLY apply for this position through the Workplace Alaska website or via 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 highlight your interpretive programming or interpretive writing experience; please emphasize experience specific to parks and outdoor recreation or environmental education. Additionally, you should highlight the design software you are familiar with and comfortable using. Describe your skill level using MS Office products and the Full Adobe Suite (particularly InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop).

Your cover letter will be considered a writing sample and will be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment and selection process. Applicants who do not submit a clear, well-organized, informative cover letter meeting the requirements detailed above will not be considered for an interview.

Please attach the cover letter to your application before submitting it online or, if unable to attach it to your application, fax or email it to the contact number provided below.

Supplemental Questions
This recruitment utilizes a supplemental questionnaire as part of the application process. These questions may be a mix of written, yes/no, multiple-choice, and select-all-that-apply questions. The answers will be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment and selection process.

Education
If post-secondary education is required to meet the minimum qualifications, you must fill in the Education section of the application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of 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 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 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.

Flexible Staffing
This position is flexibly staffed. The level of the job offer will be based on the selected candidate’s credibly possessed and proven competencies. If hired at the lower level, you will be promoted to the higher level after completing the training plan and demonstrating competency in the work.

Driver’s 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 [email protected].

For applicant password assistance, please visit the reset password page.

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

Shawna Popovici
Interpretation and Education Unit Manager
Phone: 907-269-8742
Fax: 907-269-8917
Email: [email protected]

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 http://doa.alaska.gov/drb/programs/index.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
• 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

Paid Leave & Other Benefits

• Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
• Eleven paid holidays a year
• Gym discounts at participating fitness providers in multiple locations throughout the state.

See http://doa.alaska.gov/drb/ghlb/employee/health/gymListing.html for additional information