Park News August 21,2008

Southeast Region

Tropical Storm Fay continues to be an issue for some parks in the southeastern United States, while others have reopened to the public. Here’s a status report, as of yesterday evening:

• Everglades NP/Dry Tortugas NP – The park reports little damage. One park concession tour boat suffered some minor damage in the storm, but is expected to be repaired and running by today. Employees in Key West who were evacuated to Fort Jefferson were to return to their normal duty stations yesterday. Both Everglades and Dry Tortugas opened to visitors again at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.


• Big Cypress NP – The park reopened on Wednesday and is back on a regular operations schedule. As noted previously, the storm caused no significant damage.


• Biscayne NP – The park reopened at 1 p.m. on Wednesday. No damage is reported.


• Canaveral NS – The  park is closed and will not reopen until the storm has passed.


• Castillo De San Marcos NM – The park will be closed until storm danger has passed. No staff have been evacuated.


• Timucuan Preserve/Fort Caroline NM – The two parks closed at 11 a.m. yesterday morning.


• Cumberland Island NS – The park closed at 3 p.m. on Wednesday and does not plan to reopen until Saturday.

 

Baltimore-Washington Parkway

Early on the morning of Saturday, October 6, 2007, Alesha Webster was traveling north on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway at approximately 80 to 100 mph, passing vehicles from the left to right lanes, striking the shoulder curbs, and passing vehicles on both shoulders. She subsequently struck the rear of a Mazda operated by a 78-year-old woman. The force of the collision forced the woman’s vehicle off the parkway into the woods, causing the Mazda's driver’s seat to break backwards and propelling her out of her shoes and seatbelt into the rear seat, where she landed upside down. She suffered severe brain injury trauma in the accident and is now in a vegetative state with 24-hour care.  Webster admitted that she was reaching for items at her feet and that each time she reached down she depressed the accelerator and had her head down below the dashboard. She also admitted that on one occasion she almost struck a vehicle. While reaching down on another occasion, she hit the Mazda and the airbag deployed, but she continued driving about a quarter mile past the scene of the collision. Several other drivers witnessed the above events, with some stopping to help the driver of the Mazda. On Tuesday, August 5th, Webster was sentenced in federal court after pleading guilty to six out of ten charges against her. She was found guilty of failing to control vehicle speed on a highway to avoid collision and reckless driving. The four remaining charges were merged with the reckless driving charge. Webster was sentenced to six months incarceration, five years probation (during which she must submit to counseling), and five years forfeiture of driving privileges. Park Police Detectives Michael Horman and Michelle Ludwick are credited with providing the thorough investigation that led to Webster’s conviction.

 

NPS Alumni

Retired supervisory park ranger Gene Parker died last Saturday in his home in Bedford, Virginia.  Gene was well known throughout the Service for his contributions to tracking and woodland operations training.  He spent his entire career in the Peaks of Otter Station on the parkway, which is located within sight of his family home.

Gene was well know by all on the parkway as a gifted ranger who excelled in all disciplines of the profession. He lived his life as a role model for those in public service – as a combat veteran of the U. S. Army, as a ranger, as an active leader in his community, and as a devoted family  member.  He willingly shared both his time and knowledge and encouraged and influenced all who met him. 

Services are being held in Bedford today and will be attended by friends and colleagues from across the country. 

 

Dry Tortugas National Park

Dry Tortugas National Park has three permanent GS-0025 protection ranger openings. This announcement provides an opportunity for a lateral transfer. A detail beginning in October is also available. Dry Tortugas is also interested in seasonal rangers who have the ability to be hired through other authorities (e.g. Peace Corps or VRA).  Rangers looking for seasonal employment past their present assignments are also encouraged to apply to the Everglades/Dry Tortugas seasonal announcement. 

If you love boating, fishing, diving, crystal clear water and year round sunshine, Dry Torgugas offers these experiences. The park covers 100 square miles, seven small islands and the largest masonry structure in the western hemisphere. Dry Tortugas is located 70 miles from Key West. The duty station is at  Fort Jefferson, with all amenities available, including television, internet and air conditioning. A room is assigned for your use while on lieu days at Key West, Florida. An employee recreation boat is available.

Wildlife law enforcement is a major focus, as is the illegal immigration of Cuban nationals. Rangers are currently working a nine-on, five-off schedule.  A vacancy announcement for permanent ranger positions will be coming out soon that will be open to all sources. 

Interested parties, please e-mail dave_walton@nps.gov with questions.

 

Washington Office

The National Park Service is seeking a person to serve as the focus of employee development for mission and orientation, mission renewal, and universal competencies in the National Park Service. She/he is also accountable for the delivery of training programs regardless of location, technology, methodology, or type of training, as well as providing supervision and/or program oversight for the NPS staff at both Mather and Albright Training Centers. For a copy of the announcement, including a detailed job description and application procedures, please click on “More Information” below. The announcement closes on August 28th.



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Washington Office

The National Park Service is seeking a dynamic and energetic individual to perform administrative and analysis functions in support of the formulation, execution and review of appropriated fund and reimbursable service agreement budgets. The announcement closes on September 9th. For a copy of the announcement, including a detailed job description and application procedures, please click on “More Information” below.



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