Mount Rainier National Park (WA)
Search For Four Missing People Scaled Back
On Monday, the seventh day of the search for four people in two
missing parties on Mountain Rainier, the mountain came out of the clouds
for the first time, providing perfect weather for extensive air and
ground operations. In spite of a major search effort, the parties were
not located. With the return of winter weather and the odds of a
favorable outcome declining daily, operations are being scaled back and
will transition back to the park today. Investigators will continue to
work on an in-depth investigation, and operations are shifting to an
extended limited continuous search. Family liaisons worked with four
separate families throughout the week. The consulate provided
translators to assist in overcoming language barriers with family from
Korea. Ninety-one people were assigned to the search over the course of
the incident, which was managed by the Western Incident Management Team
(Denny Ziemann IC). The team took over management of the search on
January 21st, providing assistance to a park staff depleted by the
impacts of the tragic shooting of Ranger Margaret Anderson.
[Submitted by Patti Wold, Incident Information Officer]
Haleakala National Park (HI)
Search For Missing Hiker Successful
A search was begun for a lost day hiker late last Sunday when he
failed to meet a family member at Keonehe'ehe'e trailhead as planned.
The day hiker arranged to be dropped off by a family member at the
Halemau'u trailhead (elevation 7,990 feet) around midday on Sunday. He
apparently planned to descend Halemau'u Trail into the crater and then
ascend via the Keonehe'ehe'e (Sliding Sands) Trail five hours later - a
distance exceeding 11 miles and 4,000 feet total elevation change. He
was poorly prepared and did not possess a trail map. After the family
member reporting the missing hiker, Maui Fire Department conducted a
hasty search of the Halemau'u trailhead, but suspended the search when
it became too dark. Search and rescue operations resumed at first light
on Monday. Despite inadequate preparation, water, and clothing, he'd
found his own way out of the crater overnight through Kaupo Gap and
apparently hitchhiked back to Kahului. He was found to be in relatively
good condition.
[Submitted by Navnit Singh, Public Affairs
Officer]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Office of Communications
Rick Lewis Will Retire In March
Rick Lewis has announced that he will retire on March 2nd after 44 years of federal service. Rick is an editor/visual information specialist in the WASO Office of Communications.
Rick began his career as a messenger at the U.S. Naval Ship Research & Development Center in Carderock, Maryland. In 1971, Rick began his 41-year National Park Service career in the WASO mailroom, eventually moving on to the Branch of Office Services.
In 1974, Rick applied for, and was accepted into the NPS CAPTED (Career Advancement through Professional Training and EDucation) program. The program provided Rick with the opportunity to complete his college education while at the same time train for a career in the visual information specialist series.
In 1977, Rick earned a BA degree in design at American University in Washington, D.C., and accepted a position in the NPS Professional Publications Division, working with the Cultural and Natural Resource Offices on a variety of publications, including Adams National Historic Site: A Family's Legacy to America, Long House (a Mesa Verde National Park archeological study), the very first issues of CRM Bulletin, and Kiva, Cross and Crown: The Pecos Indians and New Mexico, 1540-1840.
Following a reduction-infForce in 1982, which led to the abolishment of the Publications Division, Rick accepted a job in the NPS Payroll Office in Washington while continuing to seek work in his chosen field of graphics and publication design.
"It was fortuitous that, while in the Publications Division, I had occasionally pinch hit for the graphic designer who produced the monthly NPS newsletter Courier," says Rick. "When the designer retired in 1984, the Office of Public Affairs needed someone to continue production of Courier and to manage their photographic library, and I was offered the job.
In 1995, Rick contributed to what then NPS director Roger Kennedy termed the "Electronic Insurrection," the National Park Service presence on the internet, NPS.gov. Over the years, Rick's duties evolved to cover photography, video production, and design of special emphasis web sites.
Rick also served as NPS bureau editor for the DOI newspaper People Land & Water, and the oneInterior intranet website.
In 2001, Rick helped to facilitate the digitization of the Office of Public Affairs photographic library, creating the National Park Service Digital Image Archives, an online resource for photographs. Rick also created a webpage that provides downloadable video clips of National Park Service sites. For his efforts, Rick has received numerous awards for outstanding contributions to the National Park Service.
In addition to his duties as an NPS photographer, Rick has provided photographic and video support to other Interior offices, including the Office of the Secretary, Rick has covered numerous events and ceremonies involving presidents, first ladies, congressmen, senators, actors, athletes, astronauts, and foreign dignitaries, but what he will remember most during his time with NPS is his wife's excitement of touring the Old Courthouse in St. Louis where the Dred Scott trial took place and seeing newly-hatched kemps ridley turtles heading out to sea at the break of dawn on Padre Island National Seashore.
Rick, and his wife Sandy, will continue to reside in Maryland, where in retirement he'll continue working freelance video and graphics projects.
Statue Of Liberty National Monument (NJ,NY)
Frank Mills To Retire In March
Frank Mills, deputy superintendent at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, will retire on March 2nd after 37 years with the National Park Service. Mills started his career as a seasonal park aid at Harper's Ferry National Historic Park in 1975.
"Lady Liberty and Ellis are not the only icons New York Harbor," said Superintendent David Luchsinger. "It is with a mixture of joy and sadness that I inform you all that our beloved Frank Mills will be retiring from the Park Service on March 2nd. The joy is for Frank and Connie, who will finally be able to get some much needed rest and relaxation, as they embark on their next big adventure. The sadness is in saying good-bye to a trusted and irreplaceable colleague, and a dear friend."
Mills spent three years as a supervisory park ranger at the Statue of Liberty in the early 1980s. He then transferred to Delaware Water Gap NRA and later Gateway NRA's Sandy Hook Unit. He returned to Lady Liberty in 1998 as the park's deputy superintendent, where he and his family became famous, or infamous, for being one of Liberty Island's few permanent residents.
"It is truly the end of an era for the park and the Service," added Luchsinger.
There will be a lot more to say at Mills retirement party, which will be held in the Great Hall on Ellis Island on Friday, February 17th. The cost is $35, which covers a buffet and gift.
If you're interested in attending, contact Linda Deveau at 212-363-3206 x 116 or at Linda_Deveau@nps.gov by Thursday, February 8th. Deliver a check or cash to her or send a check to Linda Deveau, Statue of Liberty NM, Ellis Island Receiving Office, Jersey City, NJ 07305.
[Submitted by Jane Ahern, Chief of Public Affairs]
Cultural Resources
Sue Renaud Has Retired
Sue (Henry) Renaud retired on December 31st after more than 22 years of service to the National Park Service and its partners.
Sue spent her NPS career in WASO Cultural Resources, where she shared her expertise in historic preservation planning and historical archeology with both her colleagues and with regional offices, parks, federal agencies, state historic preservation offices, tribal historic preservation programs, local preservation programs, and the private sector.
Sue received her academic training in historical archeology at Catholic University and at George Washington University and did her field school work at Historic St. Mary's City, where the interdisciplinary approach to historical archaeology was developed four decades ago.
Sue is a nationally known expert on colonial terracotta tobacco pipes, protecting archaeological sites on private land, historic preservation of the recent past, and the Service's interpretation (which she helped develop) of the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines for Historic Preservation Planning.
Before joining NPS in 1989, Sue spent six years as a preservation planner and historical archeologist for the Fairfax County Office of Comprehensive Planning in Virginia. Prior to her stint with Fairfax County, she worked for an archaeological consulting firm in Phoenix, Arizona, as well as for the Alexandria city archaeology program, the Delaware Department of Transportation, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation's property, "Oatlands," near Leesburg, Virginia.
While with the NPS, Sue helped develop the modern process for state historic preservation offices to meet their statutory requirement to have statewide comprehensive historic preservation plans. For many years, now, through her guidance, all 56 states and territories have statewide preservation plans that serve as guides for effective historic preservation decision-making.
For nearly 13 years, Sue participated in the WASO policy review for park general management plans and other planning efforts. She also helped develop NPS policy for the development of park planning documents to ensure that historic preservation and cultural resource management were appropriately addressed. Sue also developed and maintained a comprehensive and useful website on preservation planning (http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/pad/index.htm). While with the NPS, Sue also met her husband, John.
Sue will miss the many friends that she made while working for NPS. After a suitable break, she is looking forward to spending more time working in her garden of antique roses, researching family genealogy, and perhaps working on some historical archeology projects.
There will be a celebration of Sue's career on the morning of February 14th in the 1201 Eye Street Building, in Washington, D.C. Please send any well-wishes or memories of Sue to John Renaud (John_Renaud@nps.gov). If you are interested in making other contributions to the celebratory event, please contact John Renaud, Kristen McMasters (Kristen_McMasters@nps.gov), Erika Siebert (Erika_Seibert@nps.gov), or Marcia Keener (Marcia_Keener@nps.gov).
Pacific West Region
GL-0025-9 Protection Rangers (Laterals)
Dates: 01/23/2012 - 02/06/2012
Haleakala National Park on Maui is looking for several commissioned rangers.
Haleakala rangers are continuing to recalibrate the law enforcement patrol program. Rangers are focusing on community and interagency relations and reengineering the park's SAR and EMS capabilities to include creating a helicopter short haul program. The rangers will promote an aggressive training program, are empowered decision makers, and operate in a self-directed team framework. They will be responsible for planning as a team the work which best accomplishes the mission.
New equipment purchases and a GSA fleet ensure rangers have the gear they need to perform their jobs. Those selected will be responsible for both front and backcountry patrols. Strong law enforcement, EMS and SAR skills and professional certifications, especially technical rescue, aviation, and helicopter short haul, are highly desired. Opportunities for leadership in the LE, EMS and the SAR programs exist, as does opportunity for advanced training in tactics, security, aviation, tracking, and firearms.
All positions require both a current Level 1 commission and NREMT certification.
Two positions are located at Summit Headquarters (7,000 to 10,023 feet in elevation.) One position is required occupancy and one is required to live within a geographically required area. Shopping and medical facilities are available in Pukalani and Makawao (about 40 minutes from park HQ). More elaborate amenities are available 60 minutes away in Kahului, the island's largest commercial center (population approximately 25,000).
Weather conditions within the Summit District, vary greatly, often by as much as twenty degrees during the day. Snow and ice are possible in the winter at the Summit. The weather at sea level is usually thirty degrees warmer than the Summit, sunny and breezy, especially on south and west Maui.
One position is located in the Kipahulu District at sea level. This area is remote with the nearest community, Hana, approximately 30 minutes drive from the visitor center. Housing is limited. Rangers work closely with each other and within the community. The area contains a large number of culturally significant sites and receives almost as many visitors as the Summit. Kahului is approximately two to three hours drive away. The area is visually stunning, appears tropical, and offers many challenges and opportunities.
Maui offers a variety of activities to keep the heart rate pumping and adrenaline flowing - trail running, mountain biking, paddling, wind sports, and surfing are all easily accessible. There are most big city amenities within driving distance.
If you think you might be the right Ranger for the team, please contact James Mar, chief ranger, at (808) 572-4430 for more details.
Haleakala National Park is looking for candidates that meet the following criteria:
- NPS Level I Law Enforcement commission
- Drug screening
- Acceptable fitness (PEB) score according to NPS standards
- NREMT certification
Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will be authorized in accordance to Federal Travel Regulations. Government housing is available.
If you are interested, please submit the following information listed below electronically to the Human Resource Office at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Email address is HAVO_Personnel@nps.gov. All applications must be received by 11:59 PM Hawaii Time on February 6th.
Your application package must include the following:
- An OF-612, Optional Application for Federal Employment, or a resume/application that includes the information identified in OF-510, Applying for a Federal Job.
- A copy of your Level I Law enforcement commission, NREMT certification, and copies of any other job related certifications.
- A current SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, documenting permanent competitive civil service status.
For park information please visit our park's website: www.nps.gov/hale
For more information on the Island of Maui please visit the Maui Island Visitor Bureau website: http://www.gohawaii.com/maui
[Submitted by James P. Mar, Chief Ranger, Jamie_Mar@nps.gov, (808) 572-4430] More Information...
George Washington Carver National Monument (MO)
GS-1640-9/11 Supervisory Facility Operations Specialist
George Washington Carver National Monument is seeking candidates for a supervisory facility operations specialist. The announcement, MWRC-12-MP-0049, closes on February 13th and may be viewed on USAJOBS at the link below.
The person in this position is responsible for providing facility management support for a small NPS area with a 21,000-square-foot visitor center, several historic structures, and 240 acres (approximately half of which is restored prairie).
Click on the link below for a copy of the announcement with full details on duties, area information, and procedures for applying.
Questions may be directed to Superintendent Jim Heaney at 417-325-4151.
More Information...
NPS serious incident submission standards can be found at the following web site:
http://inside.nps.gov/waso/custompages.cfm?prg=45&id;=8728&lv;=2&pgid;=3504
All reports should now be submitted via this automated system.