Job Opportunities in United States

What you will be doing:
Leveraging technology and innovation, our candidate will establish and maintain working relationships with rural Alaska communities by providing training, technical and capacity building assistance to rural utilities and bulk fuel loan applicants throughout all regions of the state and twice a year conduct “Best Practice” scoring of assigned communities. Additionally, the candidate will aid and support communities in all areas of local governance including but not limited to elections, administration, ordinances, resolutions, codification, boundary changes, planning and land use, assisting with or conducting training courses or sessions on financial and personnel management and much, much more. Upon completion of training this position may be a combination of in office and telecommuting work.

Our organization, mission and culture:
The Department assists the Governor’s vision for Alaska with a focus on outcomes, an efficient use of Alaska’s abundant resources, and putting individual Alaskans before bureaucracy.
The Division of Community and Regional Affairs (DCRA) promotes strong communities and healthy economies by providing information, technical assistance, financial assistance, and other capacity building resources to communities.

The benefits of joining our team:
At DCRA, you will be joining a team of employees who demonstrate a high level of initiative, excellent interpersonal skills, ability to adapt to a changing environment, and an interest in working with rural Alaska communities.

The working environment you can expect:
The candidate will be part of a dynamic team of professionals who enjoy working with the rural communities they serve.

We are looking for candidates with the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Experience communicating policies, rules, regulations and statutes to the public, co-workers, and government officials in oral or written form.
  
• Demonstrated experience with computerized accounting systems with emphasis on governmental accounting using programs such as Quicken, Quick Books and technical skills in reading budgets and certified financial statements.
  
• Two (2) or more experiences conducting training or teaching technical subjects to adults in a rural setting, preferably through online platforms such as MS Teams, Zoom, etc.
  
• Demonstrated experience providing technical assistance, both on-site and distance, to entities in rural Alaska communities.
  
• Knowledge of current issues and concerns of rural communities and traveled to or lived in rural Alaska

Special Note:

• This position requires frequent travel to rural communities in Alaska, some of which have no commercial accommodations and requires the incumbent to sleep in city hall or in a school. In addition, travel to these rural communities may be via small planes and other conveyances; and
• This position requires a valid Driver's license.

Minimum Qualifications

Local Government Specialist 2 Minimum Qualifications (Range: 15)
A completed Local Government Specialist Flex 1 Training Plan

OR

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

• 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.

• Public Service Motivation: Shows a commitment to serve the public. Ensures that actions meet public needs; aligns organizational objectives and practices with public interests.

• Reading Comprehension: Understands and successfully interprets written material, including technical material, rules, regulations, instructions, reports, charts, graphs, or tables; successfully applies what is learned from written material to specific situations.

Equivalent to those typically gained by:
Any combination of preparatory post-secondary education and/or experience in accounting, budget administration, financial services, social services, public administration, legal or paralegal services, grant development, and/or providing administrative support to a business, organization, or program.

Special Note:
Special note: Some positions require frequent travel to rural communities in Alaska, some of which have no commercial accommodations and requires the incumbent to sleep in city hall or in a school. In addition, travel to these rural communities may be via small planes and other conveyances.

“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.

Local Government Specialist 3 Minimum Qualifications (Range: 17)

Additional Required Information

At time of application applicant(s) are requested to submit:

• A copy of academic transcripts (unofficial are okay, please ensure that the institution name/URL is listed on the transcripts) to verify that you meet the minimum qualifications.
• Cover letter that addresses how you meet the minimum qualifications for this position and how you meet the knowledge, skills and abilities listed above.

At time of interview applicants are requested to submit:

• Three (3) References of which two (2) must be prior supervisors.
• Last 3 Performance Evaluations (if available).

COVER LETTER
A cover letter is required for this position. Please let us know how you meet the minimum qualifications for this position and how you meet the knowledge, skills and abilities listed above.

INTERVIEW PROCESS
Initial interviews maybe via phone call or Zoom depending on the size of the applicant pool. Candidates that advance to a second interview, which will be conducted via Zoom, will be asked to create a 10-12 minute presentation on a local government issue. Candidates scheduled for a second interview will be provided two website addresses whose content may be used for the presentation. The website addresses and the presentation file format will be provided to the candidate at the time the 2nd interview is scheduled. The presentation will be assessed on presentation of materials and delivery.
FLEXIBLE STAFFING
This position is flexibly staffed. The level of the job offer will be based on the selected candidate’s credibly possessed and proven competencies. If hired at the lower level, you will be promoted to the higher level after successfully completing the training plan and demonstrating competency in the work.

EDUCATION
If post-secondary education is required to meet the minimum qualifications, you must fill in the Education section of the application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of units completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials if used to meet the minimum qualifications for a position. Transcripts can be attached at the time of application or provided at the time of interview.

WORK EXPERIENCE
If using work experience not already documented in your application, also provide the employer name, your job title, dates of employment, and whether full-or part-time. Applications will be reviewed to determine if the responses are supported and minimum qualifications are clearly

MULTIPLE VACANCIES
This recruitment may be used for more than one (1) vacancy. The applicant pool acquired during this recruitment may be used for future vacancies for up to ninety (90) days after this recruitment closes. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply to each recruitment notice to ensure consideration for all vacancies.

NOTICE
Questions regarding the application process can be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 800-587-0430 (toll free) or (907) 465- 4095. If you choose to be contacted by email, please ensure your email address is correct on your application and that the spam filter will permit email from the 'govermentjobs.com' domains. For information on allowing emails from the 'governmentjobs.com' domains, visit the Lost Password Help page located at https://www.governmentjobs.com/Online Application/User/Reset Password.

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 1-800-587-4095 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.
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 located in the Juneau area. Requests for information may also be emailed to recruitment.services@alaska.gov.

For applicant password assistance please visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/Online Application/User/Reset Password

Contact Information

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 Alaska Care 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)

• 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

Paid Leave & Other Benefits

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