Natural Resource Manager 1 (PCN 10-1675)

The State of Alaska is hiring a Natural Resource Manager 1 in Fairbanks, AK, to oversee a team managing state land in the Northern Region. This role involves adjudicating leases and material sales, addressing land use issues, and supporting team operations. The position plays a crucial role in balancing economic development with stewardship of public lands. The work environment emphasizes collaboration and learning among dedicated professionals.
About the position

The State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Mining, Land & Water (DMLW) is seeking to fill a professional-level Natural Resource Manager 1 (NRM 1) position located in the Northern Regional Land Office in Fairbanks. This position is a manager on one of two teams involved in managing state land in the Northern Region. The NRM 1 position works on the Leases & Materials Team with the Natural Resource Manager 2 (NRM 2) and six Natural Resource Specialists. While the team primarily adjudicates leases and material (gravel) sales, it also manages a variety of other land use issues such as trespass, general use of state land, rehabilitation of state land, and invasive species management. If you are looking to step into a leadership role with a great team charged with putting Alaska's resources to work now and in the future, this is the opportunity for you! Mission and Culture The DMLW mission is “[t]o provide for the appropriate use and management of Alaska's state-owned land and water, aiming toward maximum use consistent with the public interest.” This position plays a key role in achieving this mission, overseeing a team that authorizes public and private use of state lands and resources. Projects range from leases from radio communication towers providing broadband internet to remote communities and areas, leases for community assets such as the Tanana Lakes Recreation Area and administering large gravel sale contracts for major road projects such as the Dalton MP 18-37 reconstruction project. This position has a direct impact on facilitating land use and development for the economic health of the State and its citizens while also balancing the stewardship role inherent in managing public lands in trust for the people of Alaska. The Northern Region Lands Office is made up of dedicated professionals committed to serving the public and managing the land and resources. The work environment is focused on understanding and learning. Staff are supportive of one another, and we work towards collaborative and creative solutions to work challenges. Core Responsibilities You will oversee a team of six employees. In conjunction with the NRM 2, you will: - Work with your team to prioritize, assign, and balance workload. - Provide guidance to, and assist with, employee evaluation of a myriad complex information from disparate sources, weighing potential impacts, and formulating a recommended course of action. - Review decisions and documents to ensure they are accurate and clearly document the department's rationale for making specific recommendations. - Support and advocate for your team. The team is primarily responsible for the adjudication of leases and material sales for state-owned lands, uplands, and submerged lands, including adjudication of large, complex projects of significant public and political interest and statewide economic importance. Leases may include industrial activities that support North Slope oil development, commercial recreational businesses, telecommunications towers, land leased to community organizations or municipalities, and many other activities. Material site designations and their corresponding material sales may be adjudicated for large construction projects to small sales to the public. The team also takes into consideration land remediation and rehabilitation for those activities authorized. Some of these projects may receive significant public scrutiny, be controversial, and have a high probability of litigation. This team is making a concerted effort to address backlog files. These files often have not been completed due to significant, focused time investment needed to resolve outstanding issues. This may require staff innovation to develop solutions that meet the needs of multiple disciplines and organizations. This position requires communicating effectively with applicants, overseeing staff responsible for researching land status, reviewing land use plans and other uses, conducting agency review and public notice, and writing decision documents. The NRM 1 may also participate in field inspections and investigations of trespass on state land. Field inspections are variable and range from road-accessible sites to remote sites, which require travel by chartered flights. Field work is conducted year-round and can be done via ATV or snowmachine.

Responsibilities
• Oversee a team of six employees in the Leases & Materials Team.
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• Prioritize, assign, and balance workload among team members.
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• Provide guidance and assist with employee evaluation of complex information.
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• Review decisions and documents for accuracy and clarity.
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• Support and advocate for team members in their roles.
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• Adjudicate leases and material sales for state-owned lands.
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• Manage large, complex projects of public and political interest.
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• Address backlog files and develop innovative solutions for outstanding issues.
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• Communicate effectively with applicants and oversee staff research on land status.
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• Conduct field inspections and investigations of trespass on state land.

Requirements
• Education in a natural resource field, law, public administration, planning or economics.
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• Progressively responsible professional experience in natural resource management.
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• Possess leadership skills including excellent verbal and written communication skills.
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• Ability to mentor staff and maintain a positive team environment.
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• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks and team workload.
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• Knowledge of public land management concepts such as multiple-use and sustainability.
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• Skills in interpreting and applying statutes, regulations, and land management plans.
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• Ability to interact with the public and applicants regarding proposed land uses.

Nice-to-haves
• Experience in managing public lands and resources.
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• Familiarity with environmental regulations and compliance issues.
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• Knowledge of land remediation and rehabilitation practices.

Benefits
• Meaningful work in a friendly and supportive environment.
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• Hybrid telework model and flexible work schedules.
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• Autonomy and opportunities for career advancement.
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• Extensive land management training.