Natural Resource Technician 2

The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, is recruiting for a Natural Resource Technician 2 in Anchorage.

This position is open to Alaska Residents only.

Please check our residency definition to determine if you qualify.

What You Will Be Doing:

The successful applicant will join a team at the Geologic Materials Center (GMC) using a core scanning system and other analytical approaches to characterize and digitize GMC samples for public access.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Assisting with hyperspectral core scanner operation, requiring frequent manual manipulation and positioning of rock core boxes of up to 50 lbs. with the aid of conveyor tables and working with a team to ensure smooth and safe operation of all machinery.
• Preparing samples for analysis by cleaning mud and dirt from rock surfaces, reboxing core, and maintaining up-to-date information in the GMC sample inventory.
• The use of bar scanners and hyperspectral analysis software to log samples and acquire measurements of core.
• The use and routine care of heavy warehouse vehicles to transfer sample boxes from storage racks to the analytical platform or viewing rooms (training provided).
• Light computer work using Microsoft Excel and Word for data entry, data quality assurance, and client communication.

Mission and Values/Culture:

The DGGS mission is to determine the potential of Alaskan land for producing metals, minerals, fuels, and geothermal resources; the locations and supplies of groundwater and construction materials; and the potential geologic hazards to buildings, roads, bridges, and other installations and structures (AS 41.08.020). The Geological Materials Center connects the state's largest geologic collections to research, industry, and education communities for the purposes of greater geologic understanding, increased awareness of economic opportunities, and to stimulate public interest and understanding in Alaska's geologic history. This position directly facilitates the success of Alaska’s geological database, ranked first among U.S. states by the Fraser Institute in 2024 (Fraser Institute Annual Survey of Mining Companies, 2024)

Benefits of Joining Our Team:

The Natural Resource Technician II is part of an evolving and dedicated team of geologists and technicians that manages Alaska Geologic Materials Center as a resource for the public. Staff works with local to world-wide resource industries, government researchers, and academia studying Alaska’s geologic history. The small staff provides opportunities to learn and perform a wide variety of tasks incorporating sample imaging and digitization, data collection, warehouse management, and display of geologic samples to clients. Training for certification of operation of warehouse vehicles will be provided.

The Working Environment You Can Expect:

The GMC is a 100,000 sq. ft. facility contains nearly 6.0 million lbs. of rock samples from across the state of Alaska for geologic research and education. The workday focuses on operation of the core scanning system and supporting tasks including inventory of core scans and sample metadata for addition into the collections database and performing logistical services to organize sample boxes on shelves and maintain a clean and safe warehouse. Our offices in East Anchorage offer convenient access to citywide bike trails, and walking access to outdoor parks and food vendors.

We are looking for a candidate who possesses the following position-specific competencies.

• Geology: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of the origins and structure of the Earth, including the physical forces that have shaped it and its physical and organic history.
• Attention to Detail: Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
• Physical Strength and Agility: Ability to bend, lift, climb, stand, and walk for long periods of time; ability to perform moderately heavy laboring work.
• Computer Skills: Uses computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work.
• 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.

Click here****to learn more about working for the Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys.

Minimum Qualifications

Six months of experience at the entry level performing technical functions of natural resource management equivalent to a Natural Resource Technician 1, Forest Technician 3 or Environmental Technician 1 with the State of Alaska.

OR

Six months of clerical work experience equivalent to an Office Assistant 2 or Recorder 1 with the State of Alaska.

OR

16 semester hours or 24 quarter hours of college course work from an accredited institution.

OR

Any combination of the above where 3 semester hours or 4 quarter hours is equivalent to one month of experience.

Additional Required Information

** Please read the information below carefully. **

If invited to interview, please bring the following materials. Failure to do so may result in loss of consideration. Required documents include:

• Resume.
• Transcripts, if relied upon to meet the minimum qualifications for the position.
• Three professional references.

SPECIAL NOTICES

• Operate forklifts and other machinery (training provided).
• Repetitive lifting and pushing of boxes weighing up to 50 lbs.

Application Notice

You can ONLY apply for this position through the Workplace Alaska website or by submitting a paper application. Instructions for applying are available on the Workplace Alaska How to Apply webpage. We must receive your application by 5:00 p.m. Alaska Standard Time on the closing date.

Supplemental Questions

For your application to be evaluated, you must answer the Supplemental Questions. The State of Alaska (SOA) uses four proficiency levels to measure and describe an applicant’s competence in applying specific behaviors, knowledge, skills, and abilities to accomplish a specific task. The four proficiency levels are Mastery, Fluency, Literacy, and Discovery. You must rate your proficiency level for each competency listed in the supplemental questions.

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 yet obtained a degree, please indicate the units you have 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 at foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the minimum qualifications listed above. If using this education to meet minimum qualification requirements, you must demonstrate that the credentials have been submitted to a private organization specializing in interpreting foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in standard U.S. education programs. Alternatively, an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution must report that the other institution's transcript is given full value or that full value is recognized in relevant subject areas aligned with the post-secondary institution's curricula. You must provide this 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 the minimum qualifications are met. If they are not, the applicant may not advance to the recruitment interview and selection phase.

Note: Attaching a resume does not substitute for completing the application in full. 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 indicate the union to which you belong at the time of application. Do not complete this question if you are not a current state employee.

Please ensure your application (through work history, training, education, licenses, certifications, etc.) supports/demonstrates that you possess the minimum required competencies for the job class.

EEO STATEMENT

The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities who require accommodation, auxiliary aids or services, or alternative communication formats should call 1-800-587-0430 or (907) 465-4095 in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or 1-800-770-8973 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

If you choose to be contacted by email, please ensure that your email address is correct on your application and that your spam filter will permit emails from the governmentjobs.com domain.

Workplace Alaska Application Questions & Assistance

Please direct questions about application submission or system errors to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 1-800-587-0430 (toll-free) or (907) 465-4095 if you are in the Juneau area. You may also email requests for information to [email protected].

For password assistance, please visit the password reset page.

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

Kurt Johnson

Curator, Geologic Materials Center

Phone: 907-754-3597

Email: [email protected]

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 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 https://drb.alaska.gov/help/plans.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)

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
• 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

See https://drb.alaska.gov/retiree/ for additional information

Paid Leave & Other Benefits

• Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
• Twelve (12) paid holidays a year