RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

Attention: Directorate
           Regional and Park Chief Rangers, USPP, BIFC, FLETC
           Ranger Activities Division Information Network

Day/Date:  Friday, November 19, 1993

Broadcast: By 0900 EDT

INCIDENTS

93-808 - Golden Gate (California) - Arson Fires

The park reports three arson fires in the Sweeney Ridge area since the
beginning of the month.  All three were extinguished while still small, but
could have developed into larger fires threatening both life and property. 
Ocean District rangers have carried out an investigation and have identified
a juvenile suspect in at least two of the fires.  The investigation is being
conducted in conjunction with the California Department of Forestry and the
Pacifica and San Bruno fire departments.  [Gil Soper, CR, GOGA, 11/18]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

No field reports today.

NOTES

1) Temporary/Seasonal Hiring - In order to address myriad field concerns
regarding changes in temporary and seasonal hiring, we asked WASO Personnel
for an update on developments.  The following, prepared by Dede Feghali of
that office, addresses many current questions; those not answered should be
addressed to your servicing personnel office:

First, some background.  During the mid-1980s, the temporary appointing
authority was expanded by OPM to provide agencies with the opportunity to
stabilize fluctuating work forces.  OPM encouraged maximum use of temporary
appointments as a means for managing organizational workloads within limited
budgets.  In October, 1992, OPM issued a revised interpretation of the
temporary appointing authority, citing frequent widespread abuse, and
emphasized that temporary appointments were to be made only for legitimate
temporary needs and were limited to one year with extensions for up to four
years.  Shortly thereafter, WASO was advised that OPM had conducted a
personnel management evaluation (PME) in Mid-Atlantic Region, that they'd
determined that there'd been unauthorized use of temporary appointing
authorities to fill permanent positions, and that they were requiring the
region to correct those temporary appointments which had gone beyond four
years.  MARO had already begun terminating such employees and refilling the
positions as permanent and term appointments.  

As a result of subsequent meetings and discussions with OPM, the NPS
recognized an immediate need to address this issue on a Servicewide basis. 
Last December, Personnel began collecting specific data from the regions to
determine what impact OPM's most recent guidance on temporary appointments
would have on positions, costs and operations in the NPS.  While analyzing
this information, OPM's Interagency Advisory Group issued a memo (4/13/93)
proposing the simplification of non-permanent employment.  The proposal
limited temporary appointments under the 316 authority to one year with a
one year extension.  It also proposed the withdrawal of many Schedule A
authorities, including the (f)(1) seasonal park ranger and (m)(1) laborer
appointing authorities which allow the NPS to fill such positions for up to
180 working days.  The revocation of these authorities would mean the NPS
could only fill seasonal positions through 316 authority for a maximum of
six months (or 1040 hours) each.

Because Personnel's original data collection efforts did not include data on
seasonal positions, the shortened time period for temporary appointments, or
the cost implications, it was again necessary to request information on
numbers of conversions to permanent positions.  This data has been given to
the Budget office, and they have developed funding requests based on the
figures provided.  The Service has also provided OPM with comments on their
proposal and suggestions that would allow the Service to maintain
flexibility and continue operations with minimal disruptions.

Throughout this process, WASO Personnel initiated numerous meetings and
discussions with OPM's Career Entry Group in order to make them aware of our
concerns and ensure that these concerns would be reflected in the proposed
316 regs.  Through numerous negotiations, Personnel was able to obtain many
changes to the regulations to reflect NPS needs.

The proposed 316 regulations are to be published this month.  They still
contain a few issues of concern to the Service.  OPM is aware of what they
are and has asked that we comment extensively on those issues and make
recommendations as to how they would be able to better accommodate NPS
needs.  The following have been formally requested in NPS comments to OPM:

* Creation of seasonal period longer than six months with rehire
  permissible the subsequent year.
* Extension of the six-month (1040) hour limitation for emergencies and
  overtime.
* Determination of whether or not it will be permissible to piece together
  appointments to make up a season.
* Retention of some Schedule A authorities, such as contiguous and Indian
  authorities.

Schedule A authorities were scheduled for revocation next January, except
for (f)(1), which is to expire next September.  It now appears, however,
that Schedule A authorities may be around until March or April.  Term
appointments will be allowed for up to five years.  Subject-to-furlough
terms are okay.

WASO Personnel successfully negotiated with OPM for the following:

* Seasonal hiring will operate the same as before with the exception of the
  six month appointment limitation.
* Seasonal employees who are on the roles at the time of revocation of 
  Schedule A authorities will be converted to the competitive service in
  temporary positions and will then be eligible for non-competitive rehire. 
  NPS will be working with OPM to have this apply to past seasonals whether
  or not they are currently on park roles.
* It won't matter how seasonals and temps have been hired.  All will be
  eligible for non-competitive rehire.
* After the positions are put into the competitive service, there will also
  be a one-time conversion option to enable the Service to non-competitively
  convert temporary employees to term appointments.
* Legislation is being proposed by OPM that will enable temporary and
  term employees to compete for internal merit promotion vacancies.
* Seasonal employees who work two seasons at two locations will be able to 
  continue to do so as long as the two positions are not within the same
  commuting area - a term that OPM will probably allow the Service to
  define.

Legislation has also been proposed that will provide temporaries with
employee benefits.  Last word was that employees will be eligible for health
benefits after six months cumulative service, but will have to pay all
costs.  After two years' cumulative service, health and life insurance
benefits will be the same as for permanent employees.  Retirement benefits
will be provided after nine years' of service (post 1964), excluding summer
appointments.  No definition of summer appointments has yet been provided.

We will keep you posted on developments in future morning reports.

STAFF STATUS

Division Chief: No leave or travel scheduled.

Branch of Resource and Visitor Protection: Dickerhoof at law enforcement for
managers training course (11/14-11/15) and at VRAP meeting (11/16-11/19);
Smith at VRAP meeting (11/15-11/19); Sisto at surplus wildlife meeting and
at climbing conference (11/15-11/19).

Branch of Fire and Aviation: Broyles at NWCG training work team meeting
(11/15-11/20); Zimmerman at SERO fire plan preparation meeting (11/15-
11/19); Gale on AL (11/15-11/16); Farrel at IAFC accreditation workshop
(11/18-11/21).

Prepared by WASO Division of Ranger Activities

Telephone: Branch of R&VP - 202-208-4874
           Branch of F&A (WASO) - 202-208-5572
Telefax:   Branch of R&VP - 202-208-6756
           Branch of F&A (WASO) - 202-208-5977
cc:Mail:   Branch of R&VP - WASO Ranger Activities
           Branch of F&A (WASO) - WASO Fire and Aviation
SkyPager:  Emergencies ONLY (numeric message) - 1-800-759-7243, PIN 2404843 
SkyTalk:   Emergencies ONLY (voice message) - 1-800-759-8255, PIN 2404843