Salary: $24.65 – $28.31 Hourly
Location : Anchorage, AK
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 42738
Department: Natural Resources
Division: Mining, Land & Water
Opening Date: 10/26/2023
Closing Date: 11/9/2023 5:00 PM Alaska
Division: Mining, Land & Water
Position Open To: Alaska Residents Only
Bargaining Unit: General Government
Range: 14/16
Job Description
What You Will Be Doing
Looking for an opportunity to travel, utilize new technologies, work with the public, and learn about Alaska’s land management? The Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Mining Land and Water, is seeking to fill a position in the Permitting Unit of the Southcentral Regional Land Office (SCRO) in Anchorage. The position requires a high level of public interaction, which includes responding to inquiries or discussing proposed/ongoing activities. The duties require a clear understanding of the applicable laws, regulations, and policies in order to provide accurate information to the public and to authorize project development or legal use of state land. We are looking for a collaborative and positive team member with an interest in public land management.
Mission and Culture
The DNR mission statement is to “Develop, conserve and maximize the use of Alaska’s natural resources consistent with the public interest.” The DMLW mission is to “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.”
One of the key functions of DNR is to authorize the use of state lands if it is consistent with the public interest. The Permitting Unit evaluates and authorizes the use of state land for projects that are temporary in nature, such as commercial recreation activities, scientific research, state and federal activities, and various commercial uses. The Natural Resource Specialist supports the mission through the collection of revenue from permit fees, presents an indirect benefit by supporting public and commercial recreation, and by allowing commercial use of State land encourages responsible development of the state’s resources.
Core Responsibilities
This is an entry-level professional position within the Permitting Unit of the SCRO. As a member of the permitting team, the incumbent performs the many steps necessary to adjudicate applications for Land Use Permits on state land. Adjudication involves extensive research into land records such as title, land status and ownership. The position requires the ability to review applications and accompanying operations plans for completeness, interpret applicable statutes and regulations, write decision documents, prepare public notices, respond to comments, resolve conflicts, determine fees and bonding amounts, and issue or deny permit requests.
Benefits of Joining Our Team
The Permitting Unit is a team of eight professionals who work closely together to provide excellent customer service, efficient and transparent permit processing, and strive to assure compliant use of state lands and resources. Working within the unit is exciting, interesting, and challenging in a friendly, supportive atmosphere. Training is provided on many different aspects, including office and field training opportunities. If hired at the lower grade level, NRS 1, there is an ability to advance non-competitively to the NRS 2 level once a training and flex plan is successfully completed.
The Working Environment You Can Expect
This position is in the Atwood Building in downtown Anchorage, with an individual working space on the 9th floor. Parking for employees is free in three lots located near the office. Numerous restaurants, shops and local parks provide for breaktime activities in beautiful downtown Anchorage.
The core hours are from 8:00 AM-4:30 PM Monday – Friday and currently require a 7.5-hour daily work schedule with options for an alternate work-week schedule and some telecommuting. The duties include but are not limited to basic knowledge and use of maps such as status plats, maps, navigational charts and surveys, maintaining a computer database, updating the state mainframe, and the ability to assimilate to the Business Process Management (BPM) system or a variety of computer software. Our office has a positive atmosphere geared towards sharing ideas and process improvement. We strive to provide internal and external customer service and various training opportunities to support growth. The daily routine for this position consists of collaboration on projects in all forms, decision-making, mentoring, and policy discussions. The work will require infrequent, irregular, short-duration travel to field locations on the highway system or in remote Alaska via airplane, helicopter, snowmobile, off-road vehicle, or foot travel.
We are looking for a candidate who possesses the following position-specific competencies.
- Land Management: Knowledge of the principles and practices of land management, workflow, and public relations. Ability to take a big-picture view of land management on a state-wide scale from multiple perspectives. Capacity to read and interpret maps and experience using Geographic Information Systems.
- Problem-Solver and Decision-Maker: Ability to resolve land management issues by effectively interpreting and applying statutes and regulations. Ability to build and maintain positive and collaborative working relationships with diverse groups, including parties with competing interests
- Strategic Thinker: Views events and possibilities from multiple perspectives. Understands the bigger picture and the interdependencies and effects.
- Research and Conceptual Understanding: Ability and desire to research and understand federal and state statutes relating to land entitlement in Alaska.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills: Clearly and concisely communicates the decisions being made and/or the message to be conveyed to a broad spectrum of audiences.
- Team Player: Able to establish and maintain productive business relationships within the unit, with clients, and within the department.
Minimum Qualifications
Natural Resource Specialist 1 – Starting Salary $24.65
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 $28.31
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.
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
**NOTE: PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY**
THIS RECRUITMENT IS FOR ALASKA RESIDENTS ONLY
This recruitment is open to Alaska Residents only. Applicants must meet 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
- A copy of any documents necessary to show proof of meeting this position’s minimum qualifications. This includes a copy of your college transcripts if you are using education to meet the position’s minimum qualifications.
If selected for an interview, the applicant must provide the following:
- Valid driver’s license
- Three professional references (with current telephone numbers) that can be contacted regarding your job qualifications, at least one of which must be a current or former supervisor.
- Two (2) previous evaluations or letters of reference if evaluations are unavailable.
SPECIAL NOTICES
- The work requires infrequent, irregular, short-duration travel to field locations on the highway system or in remote Alaska via airplane, helicopter, snowmobile, off-road vehicle, or foot travel.
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 “” 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 and should address the following questions
- Please describe your ability to communicate effectively with customers, coworkers, and the public.
- Please elaborate on your capability of establishing and maintaining relationships with diverse groups of people, including those whose interests are adversarial at times.
- Please describe your ability to multi-task, be flexible, and be detail-oriented.
- Please describe your experience interpreting statutes and regulations for the purpose of determining their applicability for the proposed uses of public land.
- Experience gathering and analyzing technical and factual information for the purpose of recommending a specific course of action.
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.
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.
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
For applicant password assistance, please visit
For specific information about this position, please get in touch with the hiring manager at the following:
Name: Clifford Larson
Title: NRM 1
Phone: (907) 269-8508
Fax: (907) 269-8913
Email: clifford.larson@alaska.gov
Careers with the State of Alaska offer MANY benefits
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 (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 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 under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See for additional information.
- General Government
- Labor, Trades and Crafts
- Public Safety Employees Association
- Masters, Mates & Pilots
Optional Insurance Benefits
- 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
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
See for additional information
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 for additional information
01
A cover letter is required to complete your application for this position; failure to provide may result in your not being eligible for an interview. Have you attached a cover letter that follows the directions listed in the job announcement?
- Yes
- No
02
Do you have a valid driver’s license?
- Yes
- No
03
I understand that the education and/or experience being used to meet the minimum qualifications for this position must be adequately documented in this application in order to be considered. Attaching a resume is not an alternative to completing the application in full. Failure to submit a complete application may lead to a determination that your application is incomplete and your removal from consideration for this job opening.
- I acknowledge that I understand this requirement.
Required Question