Job Description

The Land Protection Officer (LPO) performs a broad range of tasks associated with the stewardship and management of all Ahtna owned land and natural resources specifically related to administering, accounting, and issuing Land Use Permits and Trespass Enforcement per Ahtna, Inc. Policy, and Procedures. This position is primary focused on trespass control in the more centralized Ahtna Region near Glennallen, Alaska.

The LPO is employed by the Land and Resources Department while assisting multiple natural resource partners in the management, improvement, and protection of Ahtna lands. For an LPO, a typical day would start with coming into the office in the morning. Your schedule will be flexible, so your shift times will change. You will dial in your plan for patrols that day as you start gathering your necessary gear. Most of your time will be outside or in a vehicle, including lunch breaks, and you’ll usually work alone, so you will need to be prepared. Driving 100-200 miles in a day is typical. While out patrolling, when you see someone on Ahtna lands, you will contact them to check for and issue Land Use Permits. You will answer questions they might have about the local area and Ahtna lands. You might have to report them for trespassing if they are out of compliance. If your patrol involves a trail, you will unload ATV and put on some trail miles before returning to office. When you’re back at the office, you’ll put back your gear and sign your timesheet before going home for the day.

The LPO is required to carry a firearm for protection from wildlife; therefore, the LPO must successfully complete a certified firearms training course which can be provided by Ahtna Inc. upon appointment to the position.

This position is located in the Glennallen and Chitina regions of Alaska.

The pay rate for this position is $30.96-$37.46/hour.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Monitor Ahtna lands by various modes of transportation including, but not limited to: truck, All-Terrain Vehicles, snowmachine, boat, airplane and hiking
• Safely operate an ATV’s, including loading, unloading, and backing trailers
• Sell land use permits to recreationists and utilize an online customer database.
• Inform Ahtna land users of current land status use and inform users of the current Ahtna Land Department’s terms and conditions of use.
• Document and report evidence for investigations of trespass violations and other compliance issues
• Write and input weekly reports into online database regarding issued land permits, patrols, and trespass violations
• Be a local knowledge resource to Ahtna shareholders, Ahtna villages, and the Land and Resource Department in the Ahtna Region
• Be a technical resource to local Ahtna shareholders and the general public to provide education about the location of Ahtna lands and management policies and procedures
• Make weekly visits to Ahtna village council offices as invited
• Proficiently use Global Positioning System (GPS) during field use
• Navigate difficult geographical terrain and associated elements in remote locations in east-central Alaska under potential extreme climatic conditions
• Ensures security of land and resources. Monitors for conditions that could result in injury or loss due to fire, flood, and any other man made or natural causes
• Reports to supervisor any unusual or suspicious conditions/behavior detected upon interaction with the public
• Maintain current training and certifications required for the position
• Other duties as assigned by management and/or supervisor

Minimum Qualifications:

• Experience working in Law Enforcement, Military, or Security
• A minimum of one (1) year of progressively responsible work experience that demonstrates ability to meet core competency requirements.
• Pass onboarding training that demonstrates their ability to execute the job responsibilities listed in job description and essential duties
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills; ability to resolve customer and staff concerns
• Must understand basic federal and state land and fish and game laws and practices
• Certification in firearms training or ability to obtain certification within two (2) months of hire
• Experience working in remote areas with no phone service
• GPS Field Data Experience
• Experience and knowledge of Alaska land use patterns
• Experience and knowledge of Alaska Native Cultures
• Driver’s license and clean driving record.
• Minimum age: 21

Preferred Qualifications:

• Working knowledge in Geographic Information System (GIS) data entry, integration and manipulation and proficiency in ESRI products such as ArcGIS Pro
• US Coast Guard OUPV license (Charter boat six pack license) or 2 years of commercial fishing or other small boat experience

Shareholder Preference

Pursuant to PL 93-638, as amended, preference will be given to qualified Ahtna Native Corporation Shareholders, Descendants, and Spouses in all phases of employment.

Core Competencies

We expect the person in this position to be a self-starter capable of working independently or as a team member while accepting varied and changing responsibilities in the job. They will develop and sustain cooperative working relationships with partner agencies and the public to effectively communicate both orally and in writing to express the needs of shareholders. They must exhibit strong time management and organizational skills to effectively schedule and prioritize weekly workflow assignments to develop solutions for problem solving. The individual will also employ the most updated computer software technology to enhance work quality and will be available to work evenings and Saturdays and Sundays when needed, all while maintaining a high level of confidentiality where expected. These are in addition to the Core Competencies listed in the Employee Handbook that all employees are expected to demonstrate.

Physical Demands

Frequent sitting, using hands/fingers, handling, reaching with hands and arms, talking, hearing, and seeing (up close, at a distance, along the periphery, with depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus); walking; bending, pushing, pulling, and standing for up to 4 hours; occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds. Work performed in a professional office setting utilizing telephone, computer and other office equipment.

Work performed outdoors will include exposure to extreme weather conditions and requires strenuous hiking over arduous terrain and carrying a backpack up to 50 pounds. It will also include patrol and field data collection by car, truck, ATV, boat, snow machine, and/or airplane. Forms of transportation can be bumpy and can cause whole-body vibrations, jarring, and/or awkward movements.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described in this job description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. The employee will be working in and out of doors and will be subject to wilderness conditions, confined spaces, changes in temperature, weather conditions and noise levels.

Work Schedule: 40 hours per week, some overtime may be required.