Salary: $22.88 – $28.00 Hourly
Location : Anchorage, AK
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 41608
Department: Natural Resources
Division: Parks & Outdoor Recreation
Opening Date: 08/11/2023
Closing Date: 8/28/2023 5:00 PM Alaska
Division: Parks and Outdoor Recreation
Position Open To: All Applicants
Bargaining Unit: General Government
Range: 13/16
Job Description
The successful incumbent will research, develop/conceptualize, design, layout, produce, and install (on occasion) interpretive and educational products or programs for use throughout the State on federal, state, municipal, or community sites. Skills in program planning and partnership development will complement planning and design efforts when creating interpretive and educational products and programs. 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.
Publication Specialist 1. Under the direction of the unit manager or project lead, will develop initial interpretive concepts and designs, complete research in developing initial interpretive messages, and seek advice from field staff or subject matter experts to ensure proper interpretive content for projects.
Publication Specialist 2. This position will work independently, creating interpretive concepts and designs, completing interpretive messages, and coordinating with project or field leads to ensure proper interpretive content for projects. This position can complete small-scale planning projects with minimal oversight.
The Publication Specialist position will be offered at either level 1 or 2, 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 conceiving, designing, producing, and maintaining archives of interpretive materials to assist the division in pursuing its mission to provide outdoor recreation opportunities and conserve and interpret natural, cultural, and historic resources for the people’s use, enjoyment, and welfare. They 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 for fostering a strong sense of comradery 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 design phase of projects with occasional fieldwork and short site visits throughout the state during project planning and research phases
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 in 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, verbal and written, 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 the industry’s 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
Publication Specialist 1 – Starting Salary $22.88
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.
- Attention to Detail: Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
- Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.
- Reading Comprehension: 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:
Any combination of preparatory post-secondary education and/or experience in writing, editing, design and layout, of written materials, such as, publications, articles, brochures, newsletters, or other printed materials and/or internet documents.
Publication Specialist 2 – Starting Salary $28.00
Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with competencies in
- Communications and Media: Knowledge of the production, communication and dissemination of information and ideas to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
- Computer Skills: Uses computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work.
- Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.
- Multimedia Technologies: Knowledge of the principles, methods, tools, and techniques to develop or apply technology using text, audio, graphics, or other media.
- 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:
Any combination of preparatory post-secondary education and/or experience in writing, editing, design and layout, of written materials, such as, publications, articles, brochures, newsletters, or other printed materials and/or internet documents.
Special Note – All Levels
“Competencies” means a combination of interrelated knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors that enable a person to act effectively in a job or situation.
“Typically gained by” means the prevalent, usual method of gaining the competencies expected for entry into the job.
“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.
Additional Required Information
**NOTE: PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY**
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 w/ three professional references
- Educational Transcripts, if used to meet minimum qualifications
- List of Certifications pertaining to this position
- Three examples of publications or media (created by the applicant), such as brochures, logos, reports, booklets, signage, panels, newsletters, videos, exhibits, or other printed and/or multimedia material.
- 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 “” 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 experience as it pertains to the knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs), and competencies identified above in the job description section of this posting. Your cover letter will, in part, determine whether you 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 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, multiple-choice, and select-all-that-apply questions. 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.
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:
Shawna Popovici
Interpretation and Education Unit Manager
Phone: 907-269-8742
Fax: 907-269-8917
Email: shawna.popovici@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
Are you or have you ever been National Association of Interpretation (NAI) certified? If yes, which certification(s)? This is a preferred certification but not required.
02
Describe your ability using Adobe InDesign:
- Beginner (introductory level knowledge/use)
- Proficient (have used on occasion and can produce basic products)
- Skilled (very familiar with the product and can easily navigate in the production of products).
03
Describe your ability using Adobe Illustrator:
- Beginner (introductory level knowledge/use)
- Proficient (have used on occasion and can produce basic products)
- Skilled (very familiar with the product and can easily navigate in production of products)
04
Describe your ability using Adobe PhotoShop:
- Beginner (introductory level knowledge/use)
- Proficient (have used on occasion and can produce basic products)
- Skilled (very familiar with the product and can easily navigate in production of products)
05
List other design software you use/have used and can use proficiently.
06
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
07
Do you have a valid driver’s license?
- Yes
- No
08
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