State of Alaska
Wildland Fire Dispatcher 1/2/3
State of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK, United States
Salary: $22.34 - $28.78 Hourly
Location : Fairbanks, AK
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 46813
Department: Natural Resources
Division: Forestry & Fire Protection
Opening Date: 10/15/2024
Closing Date: 11/29/2024 5:00 PM Alaska
Position Open To: All Applicants
Bargaining Unit: General Government
Range: 11/13/15
Job Description
Click here to learn more about working for the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection.
What You Will Be Doing
Are you looking to make excellent wages in a few short months? Does getting paid to travel across Alaska and the nation sound appealing? Here is your opportunity to do both while helping protect your community from forest fires! The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, and Northern Forestry Dispatch Center (NFDC) are recruiting for a Wildland Fire Dispatcher 1/2/3. These hometown heroes serve during the summer, leaving their winters free to do as they please, making this position perfect for students, teachers, or winter sports enthusiasts. Successful individuals will act as an Initial Attack and/or a Logistical Dispatcher for NFDC, depending on fire activity level and staffing needs. This is your invitation to be part of a team dedicated to supporting the men and women who risk their lives suppressing wildland fires in Alaska and across the country.
Mission and Culture
The Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection proudly serves Alaskans through wildland fire suppression, management, and control. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated individual to join the men and women who serve to protect millions of acres of our forests, communities, and natural resources. The Northern Forestry Dispatch Center is a fast-paced section of Wildland Fire with a high value on safety. The selected candidate will work as part of a dispatch team to provide firefighters and associated personnel with the support they need to safely fight wildland fires. The experience gained as a dispatcher can form the foundation for a successful career with the Division of Forestry and Fire Protection or other fire suppression organizations. This position provides great opportunities for training, travel, and career advancement.
Core Responsibilities
Wildland Fire Dispatchers function as Initial Attack and/or Logistics Dispatchers. Both roles are equally important and work in tandem to ensure the success of their mission.
Initial Attack Dispatchers receive reports from the public and other agencies via phone and radio. They dispatch appropriate resources based on the information they gathered during call-taking. Dispatchers collect, record, and disseminate information accurately and quickly. They must track ground, aerial, and water resources while on an assignment. Resource safety is the top priority. Dispatchers are responsible for getting routine and emergency assistance to those in the field. Superior communication skills and situational awareness are essential to facilitate quick response time.
Logistics Dispatchers receive, fill, create, and place orders for personnel, supplies, aircraft, and equipment locally, throughout the state, and nationally. Dispatchers monitor multiple emails, operate phones, and use a variety of computer programs to ensure that orders are completed accurately and quickly. Familiarity with local, state, and national policies is essential to drafting contracts for equipment and aircraft. A Dispatcher must be able to communicate clearly and effectively with diverse individuals from inside and outside the agency, both written and verbally, to ensure that orders and travel placed are correct and within budget.
Benefits of Joining Our Team
We provide extensive training with opportunities to travel and advance your dispatch career. It is our goal to create a culture at Northern Forestry Dispatch Center that provides a complete dispatch organization, work/life balance, and a better 'end to end' career path for incoming dispatchers. Our consolidated dispatch center has proven to provide increased opportunities for training and mentorship, in and out-of-state assignment opportunities, and helping dispatchers build leadership skills. Health/life insurance benefits are provided. Health insurance includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental.
The Working Environment You Can Expect
The Northern Forestry Dispatch Center is a state-of-the-art facility in Fairbanks, Alaska. With ever-evolving technologies, NFDC strives to keep its center ahead of the game with both equipment and staff. We encourage teamwork and camaraderie. This environment helps promote friendship and trust within the Dispatch Center. These close-knit relationships motivate our employees in parallel and align them to work harder, cooperate, and be supportive of one another. Our team is made up of individuals with diverse talents, weaknesses, communication skills, strengths, and habits.
Our Ideal Applicant should have the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience:
Wildland Fire Dispatcher 1
Minimum Qualifications
Wildland Fire Dispatcher 1 - Starting Salary $22.34
High School diploma or GED
And either:
Six months of wildland firefighting, radio dispatch, or forestry field experience.
Or
One year of general office clerical, warehouse, supply, or storekeeper experience.
Wildland Fire Dispatcher 2 - Starting Salary $25.21
Six months of wildland fire dispatch experience
And
Certification from the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) as an Expanded Dispatch Recorder (EDRC)
And
Additional NWCG certification as either Expanded Dispatch Support Dispatcher (EDSD) or Initial Attack Dispatcher (IADP)
Wildland Fire Dispatcher 3 - Starting Salary $28.78
One year of wildland fire dispatch experience
And
Certification from the NWCG in any three of the following:
Expanded Dispatch Support Dispatcher (EDSD)
Expanded Dispatch Supervisory Dispatcher (EDSP)
Initial Attack Dispatcher (IADP)
Aircraft Dispatcher (ACDP)
Special Note:
Wildland Fire Dispatchers must receive red card training and certification under the National Incident Qualification System.
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):
Application Notice
You can ONLY apply for this position through the Workplace Alaska website or a hardcopy application. 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
A cover letter is NOT required for this position. This recruitment utilizes a supplemental questionnaire as part of the application process. The questions may be a mix of written, yes/no, multiple-choice, and select-all-that-apply. Your responses will allow you to tell us about your experience and/or education. Your complete application, including supplemental questions, will help 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 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.
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 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 eligibility. If hired at the lower level, you will be promoted to the higher-level job class after completing the training plan and meeting the minimum qualifications.
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 assistance with your password, please visit
For specific information about this position, please get in touch with the hiring manager at the following:
Name: Teresa Rose
Title: Dispatch Center Manager
Phone: 907-451-2664
Fax: 907-451-2763
Email: teresa.rose@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 BenefitsThe following employee groups are covered by Union health trusts. Contact the appropriate Union for additional information. Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)
Optional Insurance BenefitsEmployee-funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses
Retirement Benefits
See for additional information
Paid Leave & Other Benefits
01
Please briefly describe any experience you have with computer programs, radios, and/or phone systems.
02
Please briefly describe any experience you have working in a team environment.
03
Please briefly describe any experience you have working long hours, outside of regular business hours.
04
Please briefly describe any recent experience you have dispatching, if any.
05
Do you have a valid driver's license?
06
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 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.
Required Question
Location : Fairbanks, AK
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 46813
Department: Natural Resources
Division: Forestry & Fire Protection
Opening Date: 10/15/2024
Closing Date: 11/29/2024 5:00 PM Alaska
Position Open To: All Applicants
Bargaining Unit: General Government
Range: 11/13/15
Job Description
Click here to learn more about working for the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection.
What You Will Be Doing
Are you looking to make excellent wages in a few short months? Does getting paid to travel across Alaska and the nation sound appealing? Here is your opportunity to do both while helping protect your community from forest fires! The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, and Northern Forestry Dispatch Center (NFDC) are recruiting for a Wildland Fire Dispatcher 1/2/3. These hometown heroes serve during the summer, leaving their winters free to do as they please, making this position perfect for students, teachers, or winter sports enthusiasts. Successful individuals will act as an Initial Attack and/or a Logistical Dispatcher for NFDC, depending on fire activity level and staffing needs. This is your invitation to be part of a team dedicated to supporting the men and women who risk their lives suppressing wildland fires in Alaska and across the country.
Mission and Culture
The Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection proudly serves Alaskans through wildland fire suppression, management, and control. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated individual to join the men and women who serve to protect millions of acres of our forests, communities, and natural resources. The Northern Forestry Dispatch Center is a fast-paced section of Wildland Fire with a high value on safety. The selected candidate will work as part of a dispatch team to provide firefighters and associated personnel with the support they need to safely fight wildland fires. The experience gained as a dispatcher can form the foundation for a successful career with the Division of Forestry and Fire Protection or other fire suppression organizations. This position provides great opportunities for training, travel, and career advancement.
Core Responsibilities
Wildland Fire Dispatchers function as Initial Attack and/or Logistics Dispatchers. Both roles are equally important and work in tandem to ensure the success of their mission.
Initial Attack Dispatchers receive reports from the public and other agencies via phone and radio. They dispatch appropriate resources based on the information they gathered during call-taking. Dispatchers collect, record, and disseminate information accurately and quickly. They must track ground, aerial, and water resources while on an assignment. Resource safety is the top priority. Dispatchers are responsible for getting routine and emergency assistance to those in the field. Superior communication skills and situational awareness are essential to facilitate quick response time.
Logistics Dispatchers receive, fill, create, and place orders for personnel, supplies, aircraft, and equipment locally, throughout the state, and nationally. Dispatchers monitor multiple emails, operate phones, and use a variety of computer programs to ensure that orders are completed accurately and quickly. Familiarity with local, state, and national policies is essential to drafting contracts for equipment and aircraft. A Dispatcher must be able to communicate clearly and effectively with diverse individuals from inside and outside the agency, both written and verbally, to ensure that orders and travel placed are correct and within budget.
Benefits of Joining Our Team
We provide extensive training with opportunities to travel and advance your dispatch career. It is our goal to create a culture at Northern Forestry Dispatch Center that provides a complete dispatch organization, work/life balance, and a better 'end to end' career path for incoming dispatchers. Our consolidated dispatch center has proven to provide increased opportunities for training and mentorship, in and out-of-state assignment opportunities, and helping dispatchers build leadership skills. Health/life insurance benefits are provided. Health insurance includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental.
The Working Environment You Can Expect
The Northern Forestry Dispatch Center is a state-of-the-art facility in Fairbanks, Alaska. With ever-evolving technologies, NFDC strives to keep its center ahead of the game with both equipment and staff. We encourage teamwork and camaraderie. This environment helps promote friendship and trust within the Dispatch Center. These close-knit relationships motivate our employees in parallel and align them to work harder, cooperate, and be supportive of one another. Our team is made up of individuals with diverse talents, weaknesses, communication skills, strengths, and habits.
Our Ideal Applicant should have the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience:
Wildland Fire Dispatcher 1
- Familiarity with basic computer programs, like MS Office and Adobe, as well as the ability to learn a variety of more job-specific programs.
- Ability to work long hours in stressful situations, with frequently changing priorities.
- Skill in communicating clearly and concisely under stressful conditions.
- Ability to learn radio and communications procedures.
- Ability to learn and practice proper dispatch policies and procedures.
- Ability to multi-task with frequent interruptions.
- Ability to learn fire suppression terminology, procedures, and safety protocol.
- Fluency in required WFD 1 skills or other equivalent dispatch experience.
- Working knowledge of multi-channel radio and phone system communications procedures.
- Skill in evaluating the nature of calls received, recognizing and analyzing hazardous conditions, making and prioritizing accurate decisions, and taking prompt, effective action.
- Fluency in required WFD 2 skills or other equivalent dispatch experience.
- Considerable knowledge of standard logistical and administrative procedures, guidelines, Incident Command System (ICS) terminology, methods and organizational requirements, and safety requirements used in the dispatch of personnel, aircraft, equipment, and supplies to support the needs of the requesting unit.
- Ability to supervise, evaluate, and train others.
Minimum Qualifications
Wildland Fire Dispatcher 1 - Starting Salary $22.34
High School diploma or GED
And either:
Six months of wildland firefighting, radio dispatch, or forestry field experience.
Or
One year of general office clerical, warehouse, supply, or storekeeper experience.
Wildland Fire Dispatcher 2 - Starting Salary $25.21
Six months of wildland fire dispatch experience
And
Certification from the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) as an Expanded Dispatch Recorder (EDRC)
And
Additional NWCG certification as either Expanded Dispatch Support Dispatcher (EDSD) or Initial Attack Dispatcher (IADP)
Wildland Fire Dispatcher 3 - Starting Salary $28.78
One year of wildland fire dispatch experience
And
Certification from the NWCG in any three of the following:
Expanded Dispatch Support Dispatcher (EDSD)
Expanded Dispatch Supervisory Dispatcher (EDSP)
Initial Attack Dispatcher (IADP)
Aircraft Dispatcher (ACDP)
Special Note:
Wildland Fire Dispatchers must receive red card training and certification under the National Incident Qualification System.
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):
- Resume.
- A list of two professional references with current contact information, with at least one being a current or former supervisor.
- A copy of your two most recent performance evaluations or a letter of reference if evaluations are unavailable.
- A copy of any forestry and/or fire-related training certificates.
- A copy of your driver's license.
- This position may require frequent travel within and outside of Alaska.
- This position requires shifts that vary between 8-16 hours a day, up to 21 consecutive days, during weekends and holidays, with little notice, depending on fire activity.
Application Notice
You can ONLY apply for this position through the Workplace Alaska website or a hardcopy application. 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
A cover letter is NOT required for this position. This recruitment utilizes a supplemental questionnaire as part of the application process. The questions may be a mix of written, yes/no, multiple-choice, and select-all-that-apply. Your responses will allow you to tell us about your experience and/or education. Your complete application, including supplemental questions, will help 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 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.
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 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 eligibility. If hired at the lower level, you will be promoted to the higher-level job class after completing the training plan and meeting the minimum qualifications.
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 assistance with your password, please visit
For specific information about this position, please get in touch with the hiring manager at the following:
Name: Teresa Rose
Title: Dispatch Center Manager
Phone: 907-451-2664
Fax: 907-451-2763
Email: teresa.rose@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
- Twelve (12) paid holidays a year
01
Please briefly describe any experience you have with computer programs, radios, and/or phone systems.
02
Please briefly describe any experience you have working in a team environment.
03
Please briefly describe any experience you have working long hours, outside of regular business hours.
04
Please briefly describe any recent experience you have dispatching, if any.
05
Do you have a valid driver's license?
- Yes
- No
06
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 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