Salary: $28.31 Hourly
Location : Anchorage, AK
Job Type: Long Term Nonperm
Job Number: 42053
Department: Natural Resources
Division: Mining, Land & Water
Opening Date: 09/06/2023
Closing Date: 9/20/2023 5:00 PM Alaska
Division: Mining, Land & Water
Position Open To: Alaska Residents Only
Bargaining Unit: General Government
Range: 16
Job Description
What You Will Be Doing
This journey-level professional position located in the Water Management Unit of the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land, and Water, Water Resources Section is primarily responsible for receiving water right applications, preparing and analyzing the case record, making and writing statutorily required decisions, and authorizing the allocation and use of the common-property water resources in Alaska. These range in complexity from residential domestic use to large, complex projects of significant public interest and political and economic importance. The position works with federal, state, and local agencies, industry, and the public to review development projects and produce written findings, administrative decisions, and water use authorizations under the authority of the Alaska Constitution, the Water Use Act (Title 46.15) and Water Management Regulations (11 AAC 93). This is not a permanent position but is a long-term (1 year) position focused on backlog reduction.
While the position is set up for 1 year only, it can be extended for up to 4 years.
The Water Section works to balance the use of Alaska’s waters for development, habitat, and human consumption. Water and water management are critical components to all resource and infrastructure development in the State of Alaska. This position will be required to interact with both proponents and opponents of development to craft decisions that promote the state’s economic future and secure habitat for future generations.
Mission and Culture
The Department of Natural Resources’ mission is to “develop, conserve and maximize the use of Alaska’s natural resources consistent with the public interest.” The Water Section’s Southcentral Region office manages water right applications consistent with the public interest. In this position, you will focus on the adjudication of backlogged water right applications for all types of uses (public water supply, agriculture, tourism, seafood processing, alternative energy, etc.). Every sector of the state`s economy depends, directly or indirectly, on reliable water supplies. In this position, you will also work closely with the in-house hydrologist and other State and/or Federal agencies to evaluate water use applications for accuracy and responsible resource management.
Core Responsibilities
The position adjudicates water right requests. The position drafts decisions that can be technically complex. You will be implementing policies and procedures designed to accomplish the objective of reducing the multi-decade backlog of water rights applications and influence workflows to improve adjudication efficiency.
Benefits of Joining Our Team
As a Natural Resource Specialist 2, you will interact with a wide variety of state and federal agencies, advancing the interest of the state and learning the roles of the various agencies. The work product of the unit supports the public as well as various industries. You will participate with and contribute to diverse teams that cooperate together to maximize the use of Alaska’s natural resources.
The Working Environment You Can Expect
This position is in the Atwood Building in downtown Anchorage on the 10th floor. The daily work is collaborative and quiet, but also widely variable depending on the workload. You will interact with other sections and staff daily. The option for teleworking is available after a probationary period.
The work is fast-paced, with support from an experienced team of water resource professionals and hydrologists.
We are looking for the following core competencies:
- Problem-Solver and Decision-Maker: Ability to resolve complex land management issues by effectively interpreting and applying statutes and regulations, while engaging with clients. Demonstrates a broad repertoire of ways to creatively handle multifaceted and conflicting authorities, issues, and situations in the best interest of the state. Capacity to read and interpret statutes, regulations, case law, contracts, maps and experience using Geographic Information Systems as a tool in water management.
- Communication: Aptitude to communicate through both written and verbal communication efficiently and effectively. Very strong proof-reading skills with a keen eye for detail and the ability to document research in support of decisions on the use of water resources.
- Strategic Thinker: Views issues and opportunities from multiple perspectives to ensure sound decision-making. Understands the big picture goals, the interdependencies, and the potential effects, risks, and consequences.
Minimum Qualifications
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.
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.
“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):
- Copy of your last two (2) performance appraisals.
If selected for an interview, the applicant must provide the following:
- Resume
- Three (3) professional references
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.
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 you provide to the questions will be an opportunity for you to tell us about your experience and/or education. The answers will be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment and selection process; please be as thorough and accurate as you can.
A cover letter is NOT required for this position. Your complete application, including supplemental questions, 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.
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: Henry Brooks
Title: Statewide Water Unit Manager
Phone: 269-8641
Email:
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
Please briefly describe any recent experience you have adjudicating or deciding natural resource issues.
02
Please briefly describe how you assign work and monitor work progress.
03
Please describe how you address incorporating differing points of view into your decisions.
04
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