Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area (KY,TN)
ARPA/NAGPRA Case
On January 5, ranger Kristy Kozel received a report from a deer
hunter that he had found human bones in a remote area of the park. Kozel
responded along with rangers Kevin Moses and Randy Justice. The three
rangers found the bones in a previously unrecorded archeological site;
evidence found at the scene indicated that the bones might be
prehistoric. Initial confirmation was made by park archeologist Tom Des
Jean, who estimated the remains to be as much as 2200 years old. The
site showed evidence of extensive digging and artifact hunting, with
indications that items may have been removed from the site. A few hand
tools and a sieve were recovered from the scene. The remains will be
sent to the University of Tennessee for further examination. If no
modern day criminal intent is indicated, the remains will be handled
under NAGPRA guidelines.
[Submitted by Randy Justice, Acting Chief
Ranger]
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (AZ)
Recovery of Stolen Vehicles
Two rangers were checking vehicle tracks on a "drive through" (a road
created illegally by smugglers) near North Puerto Blanco Drive on
December 23 when they heard a vehicle north of them. They tried to
locate the vehicle, but were not successful. Five days later, the same
thing happened again, this time with four rangers on scene. One of the
rangers was able to make it to high ground and spotted two vehicles in
the desert. Both of them were abandoned; both were found to be stolen.
Because of the location, a four-by-four tow truck had to be used to
remove them. A third stolen vehicle, abandoned for almost a month, was
also removed; it, too, proved to be stolen. During the month of
December, rangers recovered a total of five stolen vehicles from this
illegal drive through. Resource damage has been considerable.
[Submitted by Grant Stolhand, Park Ranger]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Servicewide Training
Weekly Listing of Operations Training Opportunities
This calendar appears every Monday as an addendum to the Morning Report and a separate entry for InsideNPS. It is not meant to be replace the Learning Place; rather it is a quick summary of available training with links (as available) to relevant Learning Place pages. Please note:
- New entries are in bold face.
- Submissions for other training courses should conform to the style used here.
- Please include the URL to the web sites where readers can obtain the requisite forms and/or find out additional information about the training course. If a URL is not specifically listed, the announcement can likely be found on the Learning Place, the NPS training page found at http://www.nps.gov/training/announcements/index.doc.
- Closing dates for applications are underscored.
- Contact names are listed at the end of each entry with parentheses and are given as email addresses.
**********************************************************************************************
February
February 18 - February 20: Archeological Law Enforcement, Albuquerque, NM. Sponsored by Intermountain Regional Office. Tuition is $260. To register, contact Martin McAllister (406-728-7195, ari@bigsky.net). Closes on January 17. For information on the course, contact special agent Clyde Yee in IMRO (303-969-2862, clyde_yee@nps.gov).
February 24 - February 28. National Wilfire Investigation Training (XP-NWITP-301), city TBA, Kentucky. Topics include determining fire causes and origins, processing crime scenes, arson laws, and investigative techniques. Closes on January 17. [Wiley_Golden@nps.gov]
March
March 3 - March 14. Criminal Investigations In An Automated Environment (CIAETP-303), FLETC, Glynco, GA. Training in skills needed for successful computer-related investigations. Closes on January 22. [Wiley_Golden@nps.gov]
March 3 - March 14: Special Operations Training, Tucson, Gila Bend and Ajo, AZ. The course is designed for personnel who are directly involved in special law enforcement operations. It's intended for those who are actually performing such duties in the field. Closes on January 21. [Wiley_Golden@nps.gov]
March 3 - March 7: National Wildfire Investigation Training (NWITP-301), FLETC, Glynco, GA. Topics include determining fire causes and origins, processing crime scenes, arson laws, and investigative techniques. Closes on January 15. [Wiley_Golden@nps.gov]
March 3 - March 7: GIS Technical Specialists Training, Atlanta, GA. Training on use of geographic information systems. For more information, contact Don Washco at 602-906-5535. The announcement is at http://inside.nps.gov/documents/ACF49.pdf. [Don_Washco@tc.blm.gov]
March 17 - March 28: Physical Security Training (PSTP-304), FLETC, Glynco, GA. Physical security systems and procedures. Announcement: http://www.nps.gov/training/announcements/PSTP.304.doc. Closes on January 28. [Wiley_Golden@nps.gov]
March 24 - March 28: National Wildfire Investigation Training (XP-NWITP-301A), Yakima Reservation, WA. Topics include determining fire causes and origins, processing crime scenes, arson laws, and investigative techniques. Announcement: http://www.nps.gov/training/announcement/XP-NWITP-301A.doc. Closes on February 14. [Wiley_Golden@nps.gov]
April
April 7 - April 11: GIS Technical Specialists Training, Sacramento, CA. Training on use of geographic information systems. For more information, contact Don Washco at 602-906-5535. The announcement is at http://inside.nps.gov/documents/ACF49.pdf. [Don_Washco@tc.blm.gov]
April 8 - April 11: Wireless Telecommunications Systems, BLM National Training Center, Phoenix, AZ. This course provides participants with information on the siting, construction, operation and management of wireless telecommunications sites. The NPS has been allotted five slots in this BLM-Forest Service course, with some concurrent sessions designed specifically for NPS employees. Closes on January 24. For more information and instructions on registering, contact Lee Dickinson, special park uses program manager, at 202-513-7092 or via email. [Lee_Dickinson@nps.gov ]
April 21 - April 25: Servicewide Basic Technical Rescue Training, Island in the Sky District, Canyonlands NP, UT. The training course is designed for personnel who routinely evacuate injured or stranded persons from heights and difficult terrain. The course will provide participants with the skills to perform difficult technical rescues. Students will be required to bring climbing gear, including seat harness, climbing helmet, carabiners, rappel rack and ascenders. This is a very physically demanding course, conducted outdoors with frequent exposure to severe heights. All participants must be in good physical condition. Closes on March 3. For more information, contact Ken Phillips at 928-638-7792. [Ken_Phillips@nps.gov]
May
May 5 - May 9: GIS Technical Specialists Training, Salt Lake City, UT. Training on use of geographic information systems. For more information, contact Don Washco at 602-906-5535. The announcement is at http://inside.nps.gov/documents/ACF49.pdf. [Don_Washco@tc.blm.gov]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Department of the Interior
Seasonal Rangers Sought for DOI Watch Office
The NCR Ranger Services Division is assisting the Department of the Interior Watch Office in filling several seasonal ranger positions to staff their office in Washington, DC. Staff in this office compiles and disseminates information and intelligence on incidents and security matters affecting Department of Interior lands and facilities nationwide. The work requires rotating shifts. Housing is available at Manassas National Battlefield Park, 35 miles west of the city. Those who prefer to live in the city will receive assistance from the Watch Office in locating an apartment. Public transportation is available. Any candidate selected who has an active law enforcement commission will also be able to work overtime at various National Capital Region parks. Extra rangers are often needed for special events management, demonstrations, presidential security assignments, fisheries enforcement, and sobriety checkpoints, among other assignments. These positions are open at this time and are open until filled. This assignment will provide candidates with an opportunity to gain a broad exposure to DOI law enforcement and security responsibilities and an opportunity to live in our nation's capital, particularly during the pleasant spring season. Full details on the positions are available at USA Jobs. The vacancy number is NPS-NCR-03-13.
[Submitted by Einar Olsen, Regional Chief Ranger, NCR]
Fire and Aviation Management
Seasonal Firefighting Jobs in Wyoming
Dates: 01/01/2003 - 09/20/2003
Joint Recruiting for Seasonal Firefighters in Wyoming
National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Fish And Wildlife Service
The National Park Service is part of a "pilot" effort with other Department of the Interior bureaus to jointly recruit seasonal firefighters (GS-2/3/4/5) for units within Wyoming. The goal is to provide a simplified, more effective and efficient means for recruiting seasonal positions. This includes one-stop-shopping for applicants...one application can be completed for positions for numerous places at one time!
A new website at www.firejobs.doi.gov has been developed. The only job information currently available is for these seasonal Wyoming positions, although additional links are provided. You can access USAJOBS or view the two announcements for these positions at the websites below:
Forestry Technician (GS-462) for National Park Service and Bureau of Indian Affairs positions:
http://jsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/ftva.asp?OPMControl=TU7185
Range Technician (GS-455) for Bureau of Land Management and Fish and Wildlife Service positions:
http://jsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/ftva.asp?OPMControl=TU7184
Note: If interested in both Forestry and Range Technician positions, separate applications must be completed, as they have different Vacancy Announcement Numbers.
The "pilot" involves more than fifty (50) positions in Wyoming, including some at GRAND TETON and YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARKS. The jobs are open from December 23, 2002 through September 20, 2003; most of the hiring in Wyoming will be done between January and May 2003.
Contact: Debbie Burton Orton, NPS Human Resources Franchise Office
[Submitted by Debbie Burton Orton, debbie_burton_orton@nps.gov, 303-987-6625] More Information...
Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found on the left side of the front page of InsideNPS. All reports should be submitted via email to Bill Halainen at Delaware Water Gap NRA, with a copy to your regional office and a copy to Dennis Burnett in Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO.
Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.