Accountant 3 - Fire Cost Accountant (PCN 10-9821)

Job Description

The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, is recruiting a Fire Cost Accountant in Palmer, Alaska.

This position is open to Alaska Residents only.

Please check our residency definition to determine if you qualify.

What You Will Be Doing:

The Fire Cost Accountant is responsible for overseeing all accounting activities associated with both Operating and Capital budgets for the Fire Protection program within the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection. This role includes direct supervision of three accounting technicians at varying levels (Accounting Technician 1, 2, and 3), ensuring that daily cost tracking for in-state fires is accurate and up to date, and managing the complex interagency wildland fire billing process known as crossbill.

In addition to these operational duties, the Fire Cost Accountant is tasked with developing and implementing new policies as well as establishing long-term accounting objectives to support the program’s financial health. The position also serves as a critical liaison, maintaining relationships with interagency partners and may participate in wildland fire cost committees to represent the Division’s interests and collaborate on cost management strategies.

Mission and Values/Culture:

This role is in the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection's (DFFP) Administrative Unit. DFFP’s mission is to safely manage wildland fires that threaten life, property, and critical infrastructure across 150 million acres. We achieve this by ensuring that our firefighting personnel, equipment, and infrastructure are maintained in a state of readiness, and by collaborating closely with federal, state, and local emergency response agencies to provide effective wildland fire management and protection for the State of Alaska.

Benefits of Joining Our Team:

The benefits of joining the DFFP wildland fire team include the unique opportunity to collaborate with dedicated professionals who are passionate about achieving fire, fuels, and forestry goals. You will thrive in a dynamic, professional environment, united by a clear, vital mission that supports the State of Alaska and safeguards its residents, businesses, and investments. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities to grow your skills while making a tangible difference for Alaskans. Our team is committed to excellence, camaraderie, and protecting the natural beauty and resources that define our state.

The Working Environment You Can Expect:

This position resides in Palmer, AK at 101 S Airport Road. DFFP encourages team building and camaraderie. This environment helps promote friendship and loyalty within the organization. These close-knit relationships motivate our employees and foster trust when working in a fast-paced, emergency-response environment. Our team is made up of individuals with diverse talents, backgrounds, and abilities.

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

• Cost Accounting: Knowledge of the principles, procedures, and methods of cost accounting, including the use of historical cost, market value, or present value to measure cost; methods for assigning cost to accounting periods; and cost allocation, cost accrual, depreciation, and unit cost.
• Accounting Operations: Knowledge of general ledger accounting and the control/subsidiary account relationships and reconciliation techniques, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, and disbursing officer's accountability.
• Control of Funds: Knowledge of the principles, procedures, and requirements for maintaining control and accountability of obligations and expenditures for all appropriations and fund accounts (for example, revolving, non-appropriated, multiyear, and single-year appropriations).

Click here to learn more about working for the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection.

Minimum Qualifications

Competency-Based Minimum Qualifications Instructions
This job class uses competency-based minimum qualifications. Please ensure your application (through work history, volunteer experience (duties summary), training, education, licenses, certifications, etc.) supports how you have gained the knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors (competencies) and that you possess the minimum required competencies for the job class.

Competency Description
The competency description(s) listed below have been designed to promote a common understanding of the essential elements of the job class. They highlight the more general and customary knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs), tasks, and behaviors used to describe the competency. They typically list expectations instead of specific tasks and are only used as parameters and guidelines. A competency’s description is not intended to exclusively define every KSA, task, and behavior needed to meet the competency successfully, but rather to provide the manager/agency with a broad reference of options for how an applicant can meet the job expectation.

Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with competencies in

• Analysis and Assessment: Uses information technology in accessing, collecting, analyzing, maintaining, and disseminating data and information.
• 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.
• Oral and Written 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 and written presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
• Principles of Accounting: Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, standards, and practices (for example, double entry accounting, accrual accounting), including the full accounting cycle and the preparation of work sheets, financial statements, ledgers, and journals.
• Technical Competence: Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.

Equivalent to those typically gained by:Any combination of preparatory post-secondary education and/or progressively responsible professional-level experience in accounting, budgeting, or financial management.
Special Note:
“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.

“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.

“Progressively responsible” means indicating growth and/or advancement in complexity, difficulty, or level of responsibility.

Additional Required Information

** Please read the information below carefully. **

At the time of the interview, please ensure that you provide the following materials. Failure to do so may result in loss of consideration. Required documents include:

• Copies of your last 2 performance evaluations or letters of reference, if evaluations are not available.
• Three professional references with current contact information, with at least one of them being your most recent supervisor, including name, job title, employer, and current phone number(s).
• Copies of any fire-related training certificates.

SPECIAL NOTICES

• Requires travel within the state for meetings, conferences, events, and as fire activity increases to regional and area offices located in Fairbanks, Palmer, Delta, Tok, Soldotna, Glenallen, and McGrath.

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. Your application must be received 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. It is your responsibility to 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

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 recruitment.services@alaska.gov.

For assistance with your password, please visit the password reset page.

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

Andrea Fruean

Fire Protection Administrative Operations Manager

Phone: 907-795-1606

Email: andrea.fruean@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 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

01 Please rate your level of proficiency in Analysis and Assessment: Uses information technology in accessing, collecting, analyzing, maintaining, and disseminating data and information.

• Mastery: Able to successfully apply all relevant concepts, procedures, and practices of the subject area. I have successfully performed all relevant concepts, procedures, and practices and facilitate knowledge transfer to others.
• Fluency: Able to successfully apply all relevant concepts, procedures, and practices of the subject area. I have successfully performed the concepts, procedures, and practices independently.
• Literacy: Ability to communicate all relevant concepts, procedures, and practices of the subject area. I have limited application or practice.
• Discovery: Awareness of basic/fundamental concepts, procedures, and practices of the subject area.
• None of the above.

02 Please rate your level of proficiency 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.

• Mastery: Able to successfully apply all relevant concepts, procedures, and practices of the subject area. I have successfully performed all relevant concepts, procedures, and practices and facilitate knowledge transfer to others.
• Fluency: Able to successfully apply all relevant concepts, procedures, and practices of the subject area. I have successfully performed the concepts, procedures, and practices independently.
• Literacy: Ability to communicate all relevant concepts, procedures, and practices of the subject area. I have limited application or practice.
• Discovery: Awareness of basic/fundamental concepts, procedures, and practices of the subject area.
• None of the above.

03 Please rate your level of proficiency in Oral and Written 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 and written presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.

• Mastery: Able to successfully apply all relevant concepts, procedures, and practices of the subject area. I have successfully performed all relevant concepts, procedures, and practices and facilitate knowledge transfer to others.
• Fluency: Able to successfully apply all relevant concepts, procedures, and practices of the subject area. I have successfully performed the concepts, procedures, and practices independently.
• Literacy: Ability to communicate all relevant concepts, procedures, and practices of the subject area. I have limited application or practice.
• Discovery: Awareness of basic/fundamental concepts, procedures, and practices of the subject area.
• None of the above.

04 Please rate your level of proficiency in Principles of Accounting: Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, standards, and practices (for example, double entry accounting, accrual accounting), including the full accounting cycle and the preparation of work sheets, financial statements, ledgers, and journals.

• Mastery: Able to successfully apply all relevant concepts, procedures, and practices of the subject area. I have successfully performed all relevant concepts, procedures, and practices and facilitate knowledge transfer to others.
• Fluency: Able to successfully apply all relevant concepts, procedures, and practices of the subject area. I have successfully performed the concepts, procedures, and practices independently.
• Literacy: Ability to communicate all relevant concepts, procedures, and practices of the subject area. I have limited application or practice.
• Discovery: Awareness of basic/fundamental concepts, procedures, and practices of the subject area.
• None of the above.

05 Please rate your level of proficiency in Technical Competence: Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.

• Mastery: Able to successfully apply all relevant concepts, procedures, and practices of the subject area. I have successfully performed all relevant concepts, procedures, and practices and facilitate knowledge transfer to others.
• Fluency: Able to successfully apply all relevant concepts, procedures, and practices of the subject area. I have successfully performed the concepts, procedures, and practices independently.
• Literacy: Ability to communicate all relevant concepts, procedures, and practices of the subject area. I have limited application or practice.
• Discovery: Awareness of basic/fundamental concepts, procedures, and practices of the subject area.
• None of the above.

06 Please rate your level of proficiency in Cost Accounting: Knowledge of the principles, procedures, and methods of cost accounting, including the use of historical cost, market value, or present value to measure cost; methods for assigning cost to accounting periods; and cost allocation, cost accrual, depreciation, and unit cost.

• Mastery: Able to successfully apply all relevant concepts, procedures, and practices of the subject area. I have successfully performed all relevant concepts, procedures, and practices and facilitate knowledge transfer to others.
• Fluency: Able to successfully apply all relevant concepts, procedures, and practices of the subject area. I have successfully performed the concepts, procedures, and practices independently.
• Literacy: Ability to communicate all relevant concepts, procedures, and practices of the subject area. I have limited application or practice.
• Discovery: Awareness of basic/fundamental concepts, procedures, and practices of the subject area.
• None of the above.

07 Please rate your level of proficiency in Accounting Operations: Knowledge of general ledger accounting and the control/subsidiary account relationships and reconciliation techniques, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, and disbursing officer's accountability.

• Mastery: Able to successfully apply all relevant concepts, procedures, and practices of the subject area. I have successfully performed all relevant concepts, procedures, and practices and facilitate knowledge transfer to others.
• Fluency: Able to successfully apply all relevant concepts, procedures, and practices of the subject area. I have successfully performed the concepts, procedures, and practices independently.
• Literacy: Ability to communicate all relevant concepts, procedures, and practices of the subject area. I have limited application or practice.
• Discovery: Awareness of basic/fundamental concepts, procedures, and practices of the subject area.
• None of the above.

08 Please rate your level of proficiency in Control of Funds: Knowledge of the principles, procedures, and requirements for maintaining control and accountability of obligations and expenditures for all appropriations and fund accounts (for example, revolving, non-appropriated, multiyear, and single-year appropriations).

• Mastery: Able to successfully apply all relevant concepts, procedures, and practices of the subject area. I have successfully performed all relevant concepts, procedures, and practices and facilitate knowledge transfer to others.
• Fluency: Able to successfully apply all relevant concepts, procedures, and practices of the subject area. I have successfully performed the concepts, procedures, and practices independently.
• Literacy: Ability to communicate all relevant concepts, procedures, and practices of the subject area. I have limited application or practice.
• Discovery: Awareness of basic/fundamental concepts, procedures, and practices of the subject area.
• None of the above.

09 Are you available to work extended shifts, including nights and/or weekends?

• Yes
• No

Required Question