Pariticpants at the first Region 7 Wage Grade Workshop.

In snow and rain, sunshine and winter darkness, Region 7’s wage grade employees are a vital body of talent that keep all things running and operating in some of the most extreme and harsh conditions of Alaska’s lands and waters.  These heavy equipment operators, mechanics, ship captains, deckhands, cooks, and laborers build remote cabins; maintain roads and trails; keep boiler systems running efficiently; operate and maintain heavy equipment, airplanes, boats, ships and other machinery; and repair and construct buildings all without a nearby Lowe’s or Home Depot to pick up last minute items!

Most of the 31 wage grade employees in Alaska had never met one another nor had many of them traveled anywhere outside of rural Alaska. It was time to finally bring these talented employees together. During the week of April 14, 2008, Region 7 hosted its “first-ever” Wage Grade Workshop at Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Although some were hesitant about leaving work undone for a week, they made the trip. “It was time to bring these guys together in order to address work-related concerns” said Regional Heavy Equipment Coordinator Thomas Siekaniec who helped organize the workshop.

Aimed at providing information on career development, national and regional policy and procedures, field techniques, equipment demonstrations, the Maintenance Action Team (MAT) program, and safety issues, the workshop also served as a forum for expressing frustrations as well as successes. Todd Logan, Regional Chief, National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) kicked off the workshop acknowledging the important work of the wage grade employees and challenging them to be leaders in reducing the carbon footprint of our field operations. Present throughout the week to speak to the group and show support from the national level were Jim Kurth, Deputy Chief, NWRS, Steve Flanders, National Heavy Equipment Coordinator, and Liz Fritsch, Course Leader, National Conservation Training Center. Tom Melius, Regional Director for Alaska, also joined the group for a special luncheon, where he spoke to them and presented each wage grade employee with an appreciation award for all their hard work and dedication to the Service. At the end of the week, M/V Tiglax ship captain Billy Pepper commented that “By keeping us better informed on policies and including us on decisions related to our jobs, we really feel like we’re a part of the team which is a boost to our morale.”  

One of the highlights of the workshop was the discussion of implementing the MAT program in the Region. For some, they were already helping each other out, but for most, the idea of a formal program to help accomplish projects, with the opportunity to learn new skills, visit other refuges around the region, plus save money to apply to other projects was an exciting opportunity. “These wage grade employees have a great amount of pride in their work and feel really good about what the Service represents” said Refuge Supervisor Tracey McDonnell who led the charge in organizing the workshop.  She continued “We hope to organize follow-up workshops like this one every few years.”