Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (IN)
Follow-up on Arrests for Theft of Government Property
In December, M.C., 19, of Portage, and T.L., 20, of
Valparaiso were sentenced in federal court for the theft of two
park-owned ATV's. T.L. was sentenced to a year and a day in prison and
three years' probation upon release and was ordered to pay restitution
to the park for damage done to the ATV's. T.L. has already been in
custody for five months; this time may be applied to his sentence.
M.C. was sentenced to three years' probation, but no prison time; he
was also fined $500 and ordered to pay restitution to the park. Both
pled guilty last September to felony conspiracy in connection with the
theft. The incident took place on the evening of October 21, 2002, when
T.L. got his girlfriend's van stuck after he drove into a park area at
West Beach. Unable to free the van, T.L. and M.C., his passenger,
entered a locked and fenced vehicle storage area where they started two
six-wheel ATVs, then drove them from the area. M.C. returned to the
service area the next day to check on the van. He was contacted by
rangers and special agents who were investigating the thefts. M.C.
admitted being in the area the previous night and said that T.L. stole
both ATVs. T.L. was interviewed and said M.C. stole both ATVs. T.L.
took an agent to a spot where one of the ATVs was found stuck in a
marsh. A few days later, T.L. contacted the park with information about
the second ATV, which was found at the home of a friend of M.C.. The
friend said that M.C. had brought the ATV to his house and said that
he had purchased it. This ATV was found stuck against a tree in a
ravine. Shoe impression evidence linked both M.C. and T.L. to the
thefts. Each man was indicted on two counts of theft and one count of
conspiracy. In a plea agreement, both pled guilty to the conspiracy
charge and the theft charges were dismissed.
[Submitted by Joseph
Wieszczyk]
Yellowstone National Park (ID,MT,WY)
Burglary Suspects Charged
On December 2nd, rangers from Mammoth Subdistrict responded to a
reported burglary and theft at the concession-operated warming hut and
snowmobile facility. Rangers worked with a description of the vehicle
seen in the area and data from in-place surveillance cameras to identify
a suspect vehicle and circulate photos to area law enforcement officers.
On December 11th, special agent Chris Fors and ranger Nancy Martinez saw
this suspect vehicle traveling about a 100 mph on Highway 89 25 miles
north of the park. They summoned additional assistance and managed to
catch up with and stop it and contact the occupants. Both men admitted
to breaking into the facility, stealing clothing, and unlawfully
operating parked concession snowmobiles. All the stolen property was
recovered, and the two men were charged with theft, criminal trespass,
tampering and driving off-road. They also face possible burglary charges
and state charges of reckless driving and possession of stolen
property.
[Submitted by Brian Smith, Supervisory Special Agent]
Mojave National Preserve (CA)
MVA with Fatality
H.G., 51, of Ls Vegas, was killed in a single-vehicle
accident on the evening of December 16th. H.G. was northbound on
Kelbaker Road heading for Kelso when he lost control of his vehicle and
hit a poll. H.G. was ejected from his car and sustained fatal
injuries. Rangers Tim Duncan and Wayne Dingman arrived on scene within
five minutes, but the severity of H.G.'s injuries precluded any
possibility of successful administration of life-saving measures. It
appears that both alcohol and high speed were contributing factors.
[Submitted by Denny Ziemann, Chief Ranger]
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (GA)
Suicide in Sope Creek Unit
A 41-year-old man from Marietta, Georgia, committed suicide in the
Sope Creek Unit early on the morning of December 2nd. An early morning
jogger found his body and contacted Cobb County PD. Police then notified
the park. Ranger Steve Reynolds found a note in the vehicle indicating
that the man had been suffering from health problems. A .38 caliber
Taurus pistol was found in the vehicle. Reynolds and Cobb County
officers are investigating.
[Submitted by Kevin Tillman, Supervisory
Park Ranger]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
United States Park Police
Park Police Officer Class Graduates from FLETC
Nineteen recruits were hired by the United States Park Police on July 20, 2003. After one week of orientation to the U.S. Park Police, the recruits began their 17-week training program at the FLETC — an intense training academy that combines the generalized ten-week FLETC basic law enforcement training with the eight-week U.S. Park Police specific recruit program. In an effort to train the high volume of federal law enforcement personnel, FLETC has condensed all of its basic programs into six-day work weeks. This has condensed the USPP program to approximately seventeen weeks. Fifteen recruits completed this program on November 19th. The class average for USPPI-303 was 90.22%. As with all recruit classes, this class brings a wide range of experience and skills to the U.S. Park Police, from college to prior law enforcement and military experience. USPPI-304 returned to the Washington metropolitan area for three weeks of U.S. Park Police specialized training, which provides the recruit with additional tools to successfully perform their duties, such as civil disobedience/crowd control training, standard field sobriety testing, domestic violence, and officer and traffic safety. On December 11th, the Park Police held a ceremony honoring the achievements for USPPI-304. The accomplishments of individual students were identified for the highest achievements in driving, physical fitness, firearms, and the FLETC Directors Award. This award is given to the recruit who exemplifies the core values of a federal law enforcement officer. The final award is the Hawkins Award, which is given to the officer who is the top overall achiever in academics, firearms, and physical fitness in each recruit class. The award is in honor of fallen USPP officer Raymond L. Hawkins. On December 12th, ten of the recruits traveled to their field office assignments — five to San Francisco Field Office and five to New York Field Office — to begin a 12-week field training evaluation program. The recruits will be assigned to veteran officers who have been selected and trained to instruct and guide the recruits through on-the-job training. Five officers will be staying in the Washington metropolitan area. They will receive one week of DC, VA, and MD code training prior to beginning their 12-week field training evaluation program. The Park Police welcome these officers into the prestigious ranks of the oldest uniformed federal law enforcement agency. They will have the honor and responsibility of protecting national icons and visitors in Washington, New York and San Francisco.
[Submitted by Sgt. Scott Fear]
NPS Office at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
Ranger Class 308 Graduates from FLETC
National Park Ranger Integrated Training Program Class 308 (NPRI-308) graduated from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) on December 11th. Immediately prior to the graduation ceremonies, the graduating class placed a wreath at the FLETC's Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Superintendent Mary Bomar (INDE) was the keynote speaker. Bomar assisted Supervisory Ranger J.R. Tomasovic, Assistant Superintendent Dennis Reidenbach (INDE) and FLETC Program Specialist Robert Judge with the presentation of graduation certificates and credentials. As the twelfth class to receive training under the six day work-week program, the rangers established some very high standards for subsequent classes, with superior individual and group achievements. Ranger Daniel E. Rogers (INDE) was the top driver with a perfect 300 score, while rangers Christine Farrar (INDE) and Timothy N. Tracy (INDE) also received a perfect 300 score. Farrar also earned the Fitness Award (equivalent to scoring above 95%) on the PEB. Ranger Damian B. Hayes (INDE) was the high firearms expert with 296 points out of a possible 300, and he was joined by Rangers Craig A. Cavanna (INDE), Marcanthony J. Muhaw (INDE), James T. Nichols (GLCA) and Derik Pinsonneault (INDE), who also qualified as expert shooters. Farrar was the class scholar with an outstanding 95.93 FLETC academic average. She was joined by ranger Steven G. Wukovitz (INDE), who also scored above 95% in the FLETC academic portion. Hayes received the class nomination for the FLETC Director's Award as the outstanding ranger of the class. Ranger Peter K. Leon (INDE) received the NPS Director's Award, which recognizes the graduating student who achieved the highest overall average in all integrated training phases without remediating any practical exercises. Leon's final overall average was an outstanding 96.663 score. A total of five rangers scored above the 95 % level in the overall scoring, while 15 out of 16 rangers finished with overall averages above 90%. The overall class average was an outstanding 93.058 (with NPRI-308 added in, the overall average of all NPRI classes combined is an outstanding 94.076%). Congratulations to NPRI-308 on a job well done! NPRI-401 and 402 are on Center and NPRI-403 begins on January 14, 2004.
[Submitted by JR Tomasovic, WASO-FLETC]
Fire and Aviation Management
GS-401/408-11/12 Fire Ecologist
Dates: 12/18/2003 - 01/17/2004
Position Title, Series and Grade : Fire Ecologist (Data Manager) GS-401/408-11/12
Interdisciplinary position may be filled as Ecologist, GS-408 or Fire Ecologist GS-401. The title and series will be determined by qualifications of individual selected. Full performance level is GS-12.
Location : Fort Collins , Colorado
Area of Consideration : Governmentwide. Applications will be accepted from federal employees with career or career-conditional status or those eligible for non-competitive appointment based on a special employment program appointing authority (e.g., reinstatement eligibles, 30 percent or more compensably disabled veterans, VRA eligibles, applicants with a certifiable permanent physical disability, etc.). Qualified veterans may also apply and will receive consideration under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA). While the VEOA provides for veterans' consideration for the position(s), it does not provide for the application of Veterans Preference. Qualified veterans will be rated and ranked and considered along with all other applicants from within the area of consideration.
Brief Statement of Duties: This position is located in the Fire Management Program Center, Associate Director of Park Operations and Education, WASO, but duty-stationed at the Natural Resource Program Center (NRPC) Biological Resource Management Division, Ft. Collins, Colorado. The incumbent is the liaison for landscape ecology management issues for the Fire Management Program Center with the Natural Resource Program Center (NRPC) Biological Resource Management Division. Provides for the integration of fire management into land management planning, relationships between fire management and natural resources for NEPA and environmental laws, fire ecology, fire effects monitoring and data manager to integrate vegetation mapping and Inventory & Monitoring program. Primary responsibilities include ensuring the integration of both fire management and landscape ecological considerations into planning guidance and its implementation within NPS land use planning; interpreting the relationship among fire, fuels, and prescribed fire management and environmental laws and regulations; and providing site-specific guidance for the integration of fire effects and fire use principles and processes into the management of ecosystems, plant communities and Threatened and Endangered species. The incumbent also provides program support to ensure quality data sets through the Fire Effects Monitoring Program and coordinate and communicate with all data managers throughout the National Park Service.
Tour of Duty : Full-Time. This is a permanent position.
Special Note: This position is proposed to be an approved Secondary/Administrative position covered under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) (CSRS) and U.S.C. 8412(d) (FERS) when it is filled by an incumbent who previously held a primary firefighter position and is transferred with no break in service to a secondary position. Applicants must submit proof of enhanced retirement coverage (SF-50 or a letter, which verifies your eligibility for secondary coverage).
Condition of Employment: This is a drug testing designed position. The selectee must submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to entering on duty.
Qualification Requirements :
401: All applicants must meet the following basic requirements as well as the specialized experience requirements. Basic requirements: Bachelor's degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines OR a combination of education (courses equivalent to a major) and experience. Specialized experience: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level.
408: All applicants must meet the following basic requirements as well as the specialized experience requirements. BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor's degree in biology or a related field of science underlying ecological research that included at least 30 semester hours in biological sciences. At least 9 of those semester hours must have been in ecology and 12 hours in physical and mathematical sciences. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level. This experience should demonstrate knowledge in the science of air quality and the ability to provide leadership, direction and coordination for this program.
Substitution of Education: GS-11: A Ph.D. or equivalent degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines may be substituted for the specialized experience.
Method for Evaluating and Ranking Candidates : To receive full credit for your qualifications, provide detailed evidence of experience, training, education, awards, hobbies, self-development achievements and other aspects of your background as they relate to the knowledge, skill, and ability requirements outlined below and show how and when they were used. The experience evidence must include clear, concise examples to show level of accomplishment and degree of responsibility. Applicants are encouraged to address separately the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities of the position. A SEPARATE NARRATIVE ON EACH FACTOR IS NOT MANDATORY BUT GREATLY FACILITATES THE RATING PROCESS. The essential knowledge's, skills, and abilities for this position are:
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES :
- Ability to plan, develop, and manage scientifically credible fire ecology databases and to devise creative methods for solving complex problems related to the design, implementation and integration of database systems to meet user needs. Please describe specific examples of databases designed and the software used.
- Comprehensive knowledge of and experience with: landscape ecology, fire ecology; ecosystem monitoring techniques including remote sensing and validation (ground-truthing) of remotely sensed data; and analysis and interpretation of monitored ecosystem data.
- Ability to interpret experimental research, monitoring, and field information to develop and/or recommend options for on-the-ground implementation of ecosystem-oriented fire and land management.
- Ability to work effectively in a team capacity to carry out fire data management functions, including conducting technology transfer, managing private contractors, and maintaining collaborative efforts with cooperators from universities and other agencies. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with various internal and external organizations.
- Ability to communicate effectively including preparation and presentation of written and oral reports and representing a program in interactions with other organizations.
To Apply: Applications should be mailed to the following address:
National Park Service
Columbia Cascades Support Office
Attention: Human Resources
909 First Avenue
Seattle , Washington 98104
Your application material should include the following information:
- OF-612, Optional Application for Federal employment or resume;
- Announcement number, title and grade of position;
- Your full name, mailing address, day and evening phone number;
- Social Security Number;
- Country of citizenship;
- Veteran's Preference - If claiming veterans preference, submit copy of DD 214 , Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. A 5-point preference is granted to veterans who: a) entered the military service prior to October 14, 1976 and served 180 consecutive days of active service, or who have served in a military action for which they received a Campaign Badge or Expeditionary Medal; b) served on active duty during the period beginning August 2, 1990, and ending January 2, 1992 (during the Gulf War). You must submit a DD-214, if claiming 5-point veteran preference. A 10-point veteran's preference is granted if you are a disabled veteran; you have received a Purple Heart; you are the spouse or mother of a 100% disabled veteran; or you are the widow, widower, or mother of a deceased veteran. You must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15 and proof of your claim if you are claiming 10-point preference. For applicants who are still on active duty: (1) you may be granted 5-point tentative preference if your application shows that you have the required military service such as service in a war, campaign, or expedition. (2) If you are claiming 10-point disability preference, you must include appropriate documentation from the military service or Dept. of Veterans Affairs. If you do not provide the documentation on disability, you may be granted 5-point tentative preference if your application shows service as listed in (1). (3) Selection under these conditions would be tentative and dependent upon final determination of preference eligibility. Prior to appointment, the selectee must provide a DD-214 documenting the type of discharge received and other requirements for preference.
- Work experiences (include job titles, duties, employer's name and address, starting and ending dates, and hours worked per week). If the position was a federal civilian position, please list grade and series;
- Education- High school name, city, state, (zip code if known) and date of diploma or GED; name and city and state (zip code if known) of colleges and universities attended, with majors, type and year of any degrees received (if no degree, show credits earned and indicate whether semester or quarter hours. SUBMISSION OF COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS IS REQUIRED.
- Narrative statement (no more than one page per KSA) of knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs). Describe experience (paid or unpaid), education, training, awards, and self-development as related to the KSA's. While not mandatory, failure to submit responses to the KSA factors may affect the rating you receive.
- Copy of most current SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) to verify status.
- DI-1935, Department of the Interior Application Background Survey. (Submission of this form is voluntary. The information provided will be used for statistical purposes to monitor applicant response, and will not be maintained in the personnel office or forwarded to the selecting official).
Applications must be postmarked on or before the closing date and be received in the personnel office no later than 5 calendar days after the closing date in order to be considered.
Career Transition Assistance Plan and Interagency (CTAP/ICTAP Notes)
Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal Individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. For CTAP and ICTAP, well-qualified means that the applicant is eligible, qualified, and clearly exceeds qualification requirements for the position as demonstrated by either: (1) meeting selective and quality ranking factor levels as specified by the agency; or (2) being rated above minimally qualified under the agency's specific rating and ranking process.
Federal employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit proof that they meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605 (a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of their most recent Performance Rating, copy of their most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible.
Privacy Act Information : The application you submit for this position contains information subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-579, 5 U.S.C. 552a). We are required to provide you with information regarding our authority and purposes for collecting this data, the routine uses which will be made of it, and the effect, if any, of nondisclosure. You are entitled to the same information as it pertains specifically to disclosure of your social security number. Any questions you may have regarding Privacy Act regulations and the rights it extends can be obtained by calling the Personnel Office at (206) 220-4053.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please notify the agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.
The National Park Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Selection for positions will be made solely on the basis of merit, fitness and qualifications without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, color, creed, age, marital status, national origin, non-disqualifying handicap.
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.