Park News July 16,2008

George Washington Memorial Parkway

Two men have pled guilty to felony assault in federal court for an attack on two people that took place near the Mount Vernon Trail in March. Edwin Alexander Chavez Abrego and Antonio Benitez, both in their 20s, pled guilty to felony assault resulting in serious bodily injury and will be sentenced in October. They each face up to 10 years in jail, but the plea agreements that they reached with the government provide for a sentence of 63 months. On March 19th, Abrego pushed and knocked one victim into the open flame of a campfire, causing burns to his face and body that required hospitalization for two days. During the same incident, Benitez punched and kicked a second person in the face, causing a blood clot in his brain that required hospitalization. The incident occurred on a section of the trail near Reagan National Airport and Four Mile Run. The case was investigated by Park Police detectives Kevin Fornshill and Michelle Ludwick in conjunction with detectives from the Alexandria City and Arlington County Police Departments.

 

Hot Springs National Park

On the afternoon of July 10th, a Ford pickup heading north through Hilly Wheatly Plaza, which is adjacent to park headquarters, failed to stop at the Reserve Street intersection and crashed into the front steps of the park’s administration building. The driver of the pickup had to be extricated by EMS personnel and was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, where he underwent surgery for his injuries. A number of park maintenance employees were working in the immediate area at the time, but none were injured. Nor were there any injuries to visitors. Witnesses to the accident said that the driver never slowed down and that he exhibited signs of a possible seizure before and after the accident occurred. Rangers are investigating.

 

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument currently has lateral reassignments available for highly motivated, fit, and experienced GL-9 protection rangers. The announcement closes on August 15th.

Organ Pipe Cactus rangers are responsible for the full range of front and backcountry law enforcement in a high intensity drug trafficking area and for all-risk management operations such as wildland fire, EMS and SAR.

Park housing is not required and is not available at this time. The nearest town is Ajo, Arizona, located approximately 30 miles from the park, which offers public schools, basic amenities, and a medical clinic. Large scale department and retail stores located outside Tucson and Phoenix.  

Organ Pipe Cactus NM consists of 330,000 acres of Sonoran Desert landscape situated along 33 miles of international boundary with the Republic of Mexico.  The park was designated as an international biosphere in 1976 and 312,000 acres were designated as wilderness in 1978.  It not only has a tremendous backcountry operation, but also has an intensive highway enforcement program within its boundaries, Organ Pipe Cactus includes 22 miles of Highway 85 that run directly through the park, and highway interdiction is one of the key tactics utilized to detect and apprehend illegal activity.  

Skill sets in backcountry patrolling using team tracking skills, observation and surveillance techniques and aerial reconnaissance will become attributes you will master over time.  Other duties will include assisting other park divisions in reaching their goals by providing a secure and safe environment in which to work, interagency and task force operations, intelligence gathering, and investigative work. Advance training opportunities may be provided to include NPS special operations, technical SAR, wildland firefighting and advanced EMS.   

It will continue to be a park where skills not necessarily used in other non-border parks are experienced and strengthened.

If you are interested, please forward your current resume to operation supervisors Hunter Bailey or Kyle Greene (520-387-7661 ext. 7203/7202). You may also contact chief ranger Dane Tantay (extension 7201).

 

Haleakala National Park

Haleakala National Park is seeking a permanent GS-9 protection ranger interested in a lateral transfer. The person selected for this position will be stationed in the Summit area.

Haleakala National Park is located on the island of Maui, approximately 30 miles from Kahului, the island’s largest commercial center (population approximately 25,000).  The Summit District is located at 7,000 feet elevation, where weather is often cool, wet and windy. Summer temperatures range from 50 to 70 degrees and in winter range from the low 30’s to mid 60’s. Complete shopping and medical facilities are available in Pukalani/Makawao area, about 19 miles from park headquarters.  Elementary schools are located in Kula, Makawao, Pukalani and Haiku.  High schools are located in Pukalani, Kahului and Wailuku.  Public transportation is not available to the park; personal transportation is essential.  Housing may be available in the Summit District.  Rental prices for an average one-bedroom cottage range from $800 to $1000/month, $1400 to $1600/month for a two-bedroom cottage, and $1800+ for a three-bedroom house. The median price for a home is $650,000.

This position is a level 1 (6c) law enforcement position.  Candidates must possess or be able to possess a level 1 law enforcement commission.  There is a strong emphasis on emergency medical services and search and rescue.  All levels of ranger skills will be utilized in this position.  This is a permanent position.  For additional information, contact Kiefer Gier at 808-572-4431.

Interested persons should submit the following items:

• OF-612, Optional Application for Federal Employment, or Resume


• Copy of your latest SF-50 that indicates your current title, series, grade and step


• OF-306 Declaration for Federal Employment


• Copy of your latest performance appraisal

These forms will be accepted by e-mail to Kiefer_Gier@nps.gov, by fax to 808-572-4408, or by mail to National Park Service, PO Box 369, Makawao, HI 96768. For further information, please contact Kiefer Gier at (808) 572-4431. The closing date is August 1st.

 

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is recruiting for a WS-4749-9 maintenance mechanic supervisor.

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is located at the southern tip of Lake Michigan, approximately 50 to 60 miles southeast of Chicago, Illinois. Excellent public and private schools in grades K-12  and several nationally renowned colleges and universities are found within commuting distances. The area has some of the finest medical facilities in the nation. Weather for the region is typical of the Midwest, with cool springs, warm summers, crisp colorful autumns, and snowy winters. Many reasonably priced houses and rental properties exist in the surrounding communities.

For additional information about this position, please contact the park's chief of maintenance, John Kowlok, at 219-395-8502.

For a copy of the all sources announcement, click on: http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/ftva.asp?seeker=1&JobID=73746407

For the merit promotion announcement, click on: http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/ftva.asp?seeker=1&JobID=73753707