NPS Visitor and Resource Protection
The Morning Report
Friday, September 06, 2013


INCIDENTS

Olympic National Park (WA)
Rangers Continue Search For Missing Day Hiker

Rangers continue to investigate the disappearance of day hiker Bryan Lee Johnston of Seattle, Washington, who was reported overdue on Wednesday, August 28th. An intensive search of the Lake Ozette area and adjacent Pacific Coast shoreline has failed to uncover any clues to Johnston’s whereabouts.

Rangers continue to search for indications of Johnston’s plans or location. A photo of Johnston has been sent to hikers who had backcountry permits for the north coast and Ozette area and may have had contact with him.

Johnston, 71, left his home in Seattle and traveled to the Olympic Peninsula on Thursday, August 22nd. Family members reported Johnston overdue on August 28th. Rangers located Johnston’s truck in the Ozette Ranger Station parking lot immediately following receipt of that report.

Ground searchers and a helicopter were involved in the search effort on the first day, with additional ground searchers, boat searchers and two search dog teams added on Thursday. On August 30th, five teams of ground searchers and three dog teams from Pierce County Search and Rescue continued the intensive effort to find Johnston.

Search efforts have been concentrated in the area of the popular nine-mile Ozette/Cape Alava/Sand Point/Ozette triangle hike, covering over 25 miles of the park’s Pacific Coast from Shi Shi Beach south to the Norwegian Memorial, the Lake Ozette shoreline and nearby roads and trails.
[Submitted by Rainey McKenna, Public Affairs Officer]




Zion National Park (UT)
Severely Injured Hiker Rescued From Behunin Canyon

Park dispatch received a report of a severely injured hiker in Behunin Canyon at 5 p.m. on Monday, September 2nd.

The Behunin canyoneering route typically requires about nine hours to complete and involves hiking to the rim of Zion Canyon and then completing a series of nine rappels up to 165 feet in length. Reports indicated that the hiker had fallen the length of the canyon’s fifth rappel (90 feet) and that he had suffered head, arm, leg, and back injuries.

Due to the location of the patient and the severity of his injuries, rangers requested assistance from Nellis Air Force Base’s 66th Rescue Squadron. A team of four rangers hiked and rappelled through Behunin Canyon arriving at the patient’s location at midnight. The Nellis Pave Hawk helicopter arrived in the area 30 minutes later and conducted a hoist operation to remove the patient from the canyon.

A thunderstorm rolled through just after the operation was completed, causing the rangers to seek high ground due to the potential for flash flooding.

The injured hiker was flown to University Medical Center in Las Vegas, where doctors reported that he likely would not have survived spending the night in the canyon. The 33-year-old Arizona man was not connected to a rope and was hiking in a steep slick rock area near the anchor when he tumbled and fell.
[Submitted by Ray O'Neil, Plateau District Ranger]




New River Gorge National River (WV)
Woman Jumps To Her Death From New River Gorge Bridge

On Wednesday, September 4th, a 53-year-old woman stopped her car on the New River Gorge Bridge, pulled a stepstool out of the car, and placed it next to the bridge rail.

Several drivers stopped to try and talk to the woman as she climbed the stepstool and perched on the edge of the bridge, but she did not respond and jumped, falling 876 feet to her death.

Rangers, Fayette County deputies, and Fayettville fire and EMS personnel responded to the area. It took about 40 minutes to locate the woman's body in the rugged terrain below the bridge. A short raising system was used for the recovery.

The incident is under joint investigation by the NPS and the Fayette County Sheriff's Department.
[Submitted by Jeff West, Chief Ranger]




FIRE MANAGEMENT

NIFC/NPS Fire and Aviation Management
National Fire/Incident Situation Highlights

National Fire Activity — Preparedness Level 2

Fire Weather Forecast

Scattered showers and thunderstorms will form across Washington, northern Idaho, and western Montana. Widely scattered thunderstorms will also form over western Wyoming, Utah, northern Arizona, and Colorado. Temperatures will cool over the northwestern U.S., while the Southwest remains warm. Scattered thunderstorms will develop along the Gulf Coast. Hot weather will continue across the Plains, the Mississippi Valley, and the Southeast. Cool to mild weather will remain over the Great Lakes region and the Northeast.

Red Flag Warnings

No red flag warnings had been posted as of early this morning.

To see a NOAA map of today’s critical fire weather areas, click on this link: http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/fwdy1.html

Fire Summary (Five Day Trend)

Day
 Fri
 Tue
 Wed
 Thu
Fri
Date
 8/30
 9/3
 9/4
 9/5
 9/6
Initial Attack Fires
 108
 90
 114
 87
 174
New Large Fires
 6
 4
 1
 0
 8
Large Fires Contained
 3
 0
 1
 0
 2
Uncontained Large Fires
 28
 24
 18
 15
 16


National Resource Commitments (Five Day Trend)

Day
 Fri
 Tue
 Wed
 Thu
Fri
Date
 8/30
 9/3
 9/4
 9/5
 9/6
Area Command Teams
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
NIMO Teams
 1
 0
 0
 0
 0
Type 1 Teams
 6
 4
 3
 2
 3
Type 2 Teams
 11
 7
 6
 5
 5


NPS Fire Narratives

Yosemite NP — For information on the Rim Fire, please go to these links:

Yellowstone NP — For information on park fires, please go to these links:

NPS Fire Summaries

No updates on National Park Service fires have been received since yesterday.



For additional information on all fires, check the following web sites:




OPERATIONAL NOTES

Glacier National Park
New Interactive Wayside Exhibits Installed

Glacier National Park has premiered a new installment of interactive wayside exhibits at its Logan Pass Visitor Center. The "Wildlife Superpowers" exhibits highlight the adaptations (superpowers) of nine species of subalpine animals.

Presented in a comic book style, the exhibits are designed to appeal to Glacier’s younger visitors and families. Artwork for the exhibits was donated to the park by one of Glacier’s Artists-in-Residence program participants.

Each exhibit also features a hand powered, environmentally friendly, audio interpretive device. Audio content is accessed via a hand crank on each "Eco-box." Visitors may obtain additional information about each animal superhero’s "vulnerability," which is tied to climate change and how it may affect that species future.

Children of park staff members recorded the audio so that kids hear the climate change messages from their peers. Visitors may also receive an additional message containing an audio description of the panel. The audio description aids visually challenged visitors and the boxes themselves are designed to be accessible to those with mobility challenges.

The entire project was conceived, designed and fabricated in-house as a collaborative effort between the divisions of interpretation, resource management and facility management.

To see the exhibits online go to the following link and watch the video:

http://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/superpowers.htm
[Submitted by Bill Hayden, Interpretive Specialist]




Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Study Provides Insights Into Volunteerism Challenges

University of Nevada Las Vegas Public Land Institute summer beach hosts Efren Gomez and Suheir Nasereddin gained some useful insights into the challenges of volunteer beach cleanup events at Lake Mead over the summer.

Starting in May, Efren and Suheir worked as bilingual event coordinators facilitating beach cleanup events and informational outreach sessions. One of their key assignments for the summer was to quantify and qualify the effects of speaking Spanish with respect to visitors' participation.

The summer outreach program was a collaboration between Lake Mead National Recreation Area and UNLV’s Public Lands Institute. Efren and Suheir supported summer volunteer programs in cooperation with Chris Pietrofeso and Bryan Goodwin of the NPS volunteer office. Together, they facilitated opportunities for visitors to learn about and participate in volunteer programs at the park. Events included impromptu beach clean-ups and volunteer program information booths at local businesses.

It is always a challenge in a recreational setting to get site visitors to take a break from planned activities to participate in a volunteer event. At Lake Mead, NPS personnel felt there was an additional roadblock to volunteer participation caused by a language barrier between park service representatives and Hispanic visitors. Consequently, PLI and NPS set a goal this year to increase volunteerism among the Hispanic community.

During this summer’s events Efren and Suheir conducted an observational study of the cultural and contextual factors that influence participation in Hispanic visitors. The summer was an ongoing learning experience, but one that yielded valuable data for moving volunteer programs forward in future years.

A summer’s worth of observation and data collection demonstrated that members of the Hispanic community seemed more receptive and interested in impromptu beach clean-ups when they felt related either physically, culturally or linguistically with a park representative. Simply having representatives who spoke Spanish led to a significant increase in participation rates from last year to this year.

Hispanic families were also more prone to volunteer for a beach clean up as a whole family. In other demographic groups it was far more likely for just a few family members (like kids and/or teenagers) to volunteer for a project. Efren and Suheir noted parents’ endorsement of a program was associated with higher participation in young Hispanics. Observation showed Hispanic parents attached an educational value to the programs, explaining why they encouraged their kids to be part of them.

Understanding the factors that contribute to Hispanic families' decisions to participate in land stewardship and environmental protection programs is essential for the future of volunteer programs at Lake Mead National Recreation Area. This study provides a starting point for designing programs more closely aligned with the cultural mores of the Spanish-speaking community.
[Submitted by Efren Gomez and Amy Tartaglia Johns, UNLV Division of Educational Outreach]




Roosevelt Vanderbilt National Historic Site - NY
Youth Put A Fresh Face On Historic Gardens

At Roosevelt Vanderbilt National Historic Sites, the new "American Gothic" is a Girl Scout troop and a Dutch colonial. Actually, in every garden in the park, you may have to check your assumptions about whom you will find actively engaged in gardening and related subjects — it’s the kids in our community.

Gardening’s new cool is a boon to the Roosevelt Vanderbilt National Historic Sites’ goal to engage local youth in our parks.

Seven students joined forces with their local national park when Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Green Teen Program in Beacon, New York, came to the park for a series of design workshops at the Beatrix Farrand Garden at Bellefield.

In Beacon, the Green Teens tend their own produce garden, develop job skills and nutrition awareness, work on local farms and contribute to Beacon’s fresh produce distribution initiatives. The series of workshops they do at the Beatrix Farrand Garden introduces a different facet of gardening and career opportunity — design.

Anne Symmes, the executive director of the Beatrix Farrand Garden Association, led this enthusiastic group into new territory with three design workshops in the beautiful Farrand garden. The garden served as an inspirational studio for trying their own hands at garden design after a discussion of Farrand’s use of symmetry and asymmetry in the garden.

Given Beatrix Farrand’s importance as one of the first women to break into the field of landscape architecture, and the innovative designs she created, the garden also provided the opportunity to define a "pioneering spirit" and consider the possibilities in forging your own path. With the Farrand Garden so full of interesting plant material and plant combinations, the teens rounded out their studies by looking at the plant choices Farrand made and learning how horticulturists describe their characteristics.

The Green Teens summed up the series of design workshops at Bellefield by noting that "each time we come here, it’s like taking a vacation." The short trip to the Farrand garden transported them to another world, despite its being so close to home. Beatrix Farrand Garden Association link: http://www.beatrixfarrandgarden.org/

At Val-Kill National Historic Site, Girl Scout Troop 10020 from Wappingers Falls, New York, planned, planted and currently tends The Garden of Hope Peace and Justice. While they work in this circa1960 garden at Eleanor Roosevelt’s home, they are exploring the ecological impact of their "food footprint" — how their food moves from field to table and who and what in the world that impacts.

At the same time, they are examining food issues from a social justice perspective. What they learn, and the actions they take are all considered in the context of Eleanor Roosevelt’s legacy. Everything they harvest goes to support a local food pantry and supplies families with fresh, organic, produce that would be unavailable to them otherwise. Garden of Hope Peace and Justice link: http://www.nps.gov/elro/forteachers/

More youth made waves at Vanderbilt Mansion when twelve "Branching Out" Interns from the National Park Service’s Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation came for a week of hands on learning in the formal gardens.

The NPS Branching Out program exposes high school and college students to careers in the National Park Service and landscape management through work experiences in national parks.

At Roosevelt Vanderbilt National Historic Sites, their focus was the relationship between historic integrity and landscape management decisions in two garden projects at the Vanderbilt Formal Gardens. They rebuilt a garden path in more stable materials and restored health to historic shrub plantings that have been overwhelmed by invasive vines.

They also toured the historic homes and landscapes that comprise the Roosevelt Vanderbilt National Historic Sites to see, first-hand, how research and history influence the management of these landscapes. Branching Out link: http://www.nps.gov/oclp/branching_out.htm
[Submitted by Anna de Cordova, Horticulturist]




Servicewide
Upcoming Training Calendar

All training offerings — webinars, online courses and training sessions in the field — appear in this listing only, updated each Friday. Entries must be received by midday Thursday at the latest for the following day’s update. Send them to Bill_Halainen@contractor.nps.gov.

All entries must be brief and should have the following:

  • Beginning and ending dates.
  • Name and location of course.
  • A short one- to two-line description.
  • The closing date for application or registration.
  • Name(s) and number(s) for more information.
  • Most importantly, a link to a website where full announcements or detailed information can be found.

New listings and revisions to this week’s calendar are in bold face. They are removed from the calendar once the application deadline has passed.

*********************************************************************************************************

Training and Webinars

September 9 — September 13 — Preservation and Treatment of Park Cultural Resources, Apostle Islands NL, WI. Please see the full announcement for details: www.ncptt.nps.gov/cr/documents/CRM_APIS_092013.pdf . For more information, contact Blaise Davi at 508-451-7816.

September 10 — September 12 — NEPA/NHPS Section 106 Workshop, Intermountain Region. For detailed information on each class, including contact and registration information, see the full announcement at this link.

September 10 — September 13 — Introduction to Section 106 and NHPA, Northeast Region. For detailed information on each class, including contact and registration information, see the full announcement at this link.

September 16 — September 27 — Use of Force Instructor Training, Grand Canyon, AZ. Click on this link for the course announcement; contact Wiley Golden at FLETC (912-267-2246) with any questions. The deadline for applications is September 6th.

September 23 — Climate Change Leadership Series, webinar, 1:30 p.m. — 2:30 p.m. EDT. This is the FIFTH in a series of six webinars offering feasible approaches to climate change issues and management responses that are relevant to parks. Open to superintendents and deputy superintendents only. For more information, go to http://nrintratest/climatechange/training.cfm.

September 23, 25, 26 — Retirement Planning for Civil Service Employees, TEL Broadcast, 12:00-4:00 p.m. Eastern Time each day. Although this class is designed for Civil Service employees and CSRS offset employees within five years of retirement eligibility to help employees better understand their federal benefits to make informed decisions regarding retirement and insurance, all CSRS employees are encouraged to attend. Employees will be able to view this class via TEL stations or video teleconferencing (VTC) systems. You can register in DOI Learn. Search term is Retirement Planning. You might have to scroll to the next page. Check the TEL website for topics covered for each day and to download materials that will be used with the class. Contact Katrina Fritts (katrina_fritts@nps.gov or 304-535-5089) for more information.

September 24, 25, 26 — Retirement Planning for FERS Employees, TEL Broadcast, 12:00-4:00 p.m. Eastern Time each day. Although this class is designed for FERS employees within 5 years of retirement eligibility to help employees better understand their federal benefits to make informed decisions regarding retirement and insurance, all FERS employees are encouraged to attend. Employees will be able to view this class via TEL stations or video conferencing (VTC) systems. You can register in DOI Learn. Search term is Retirement Planning. You may have to scroll to the next page. Check the TEL website for topics covered for each day and to download materials that will be used with the class. Contact Katrina Fritts (katrina_fritts@nps.gov or 304-535-5089) for more information.

October 7 — October 11 — Effective Interpretation of Archeological and Cultural Heritage Resources, Grand Canyon NP, AZ. This five-day course will enhance interdisciplinary communication skills for using a team approach to developing and carrying out effective public interpretation and education programs and products. Interpreters and educators will gain knowledge of archeological and cultural heritage sites for developing presentations and media about cultural heritage resources. Cultural resource specialists and archeologists will gain knowledge and skills in interpretation for developing interpretive presentations and media about cultural resources. All groups gain knowledge and skills through increased dialogue and interactions between cultural resource specialists and interpreters for joint development of effective interpretation of cultural heritage products. With multi-agency instructors and students, the program augments the mission of federal agencies to provide interagency technical assistance and information exchange. Contact John Jameson, SEAC, at john_jameson@nps.gov or Jennifer Onufer, Grand Canyon, at jennifer_onufer@nps.gov for more information. For detailed information on the course and an application form, go to http://www.nps.gov/seac/GRCAclass2013/GRCA2013.htm.

October 7 — October 18 - Structural Firefighter I/II Course, National Structural Fire Training Center, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, AZ. This class fulfills NFPA 1001 training standards to be qualified as a Structural Firefighter I and II. Participants will be able to perform both interior and exterior attacks during structural fire events. The course presents students with a strenuous hands-on curriculum that includes extensive training scenarios and live-fire drills. Students will be afforded numerous opportunities to develop and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed serve as a structural firefighter. Certification is based upon completion of all on-line modules, class assessments and evaluations. For formal accreditation through the National Board of Fire Service Professional Qualifications (ProBoard), participants must also complete all associated courses and pre-requests. This is an open registration process. The first 28 people who complete module one of the online training will be selected to attend the field portion of this class. Text books and access codes will be provided by the course coordinator. For further information, contact the Mark Gorman at 208-387-5244 or check this website.

October 8 — October 10 — International Cemetery Preservation Summit, Niagara Falls, NY. The summit will feature a wide range of preservation technologies to address the broad spectrum of issues found in cemeteries and other cultural heritage sites. Two days of selected presentations will be followed by a day of field sessions. $299. For more information and registration go to; http://ncptt.nps.gov/blog/international-cemetery-preservation-summit/. Contact Jason Church jason_church@contractor.nps.gov or 318-356-7444

October 28 — Climate Change Leadership Series, webinar, 1:30 p.m. — 2:30 p.m. EST. This is the SIXTH in a series of six webinars offering feasible approaches to climate change issues and management responses that are relevant to parks. Open to superintendents and deputy superintendents only. For more information, go to http://nrintratest/climatechange/training.cfm.

October 28 — November 8 — Fire Apparatus Driver Operator Course, National Structural Fire Training Center, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, AZ. This class fulfills NFPA 1002 training standards to be qualified as Fire Apparatus Driver Operator. The 80-hour class is designed to provide persons with the technical information and primary skills essential for the safe operation and proper maintenance of fire apparatus. From this course students will have the skills and knowledge to safely operate fire engines and perform required inspections and maintenance. Emphasis also includes hands-on training of pumping skills critical to the support of personnel assigned to fire control functions. Personnel will become proficient in troubleshooting, hydraulics, drafting and providing water through multiple pumping evolutions. Certification is based upon completion of all on-line modules, class assessments and evaluations. Text books and access codes will be provided by the course coordinator. Access to the on-line course will be available on September 8th. For further information, contact the Mark Gorman at 208-387-5244 or check this website.

November 5 — November 7 — Law Enforcement Control Tactics Refresher Instructor Training, FLETC, New Braintree, MA. Click on this link for the course announcement; contact Wiley Golden at FLETC (912-267-2246) with any questions. The deadline for applications is October 4th.

November 18 — November 22 — NPS Search Management Training, Albright Training Center, Grand Canyon NP, AZ. This training will cover techniques used to locate missing and lost subjects relating to land based searches. The classroom based training class covers investigative considerations, confinement strategies and effective search guidelines. Participants will learn how to efficiently manage a large-scale search incident utilizing ICS and carrying out the planning function. Computerized search management software will be incorporated into a tabletop "mock" search exercise. The course incorporates training content used by other nationally recognized search management training classes. Participants will receive an NPS agency training certificate of completion. Applicants must have first completed NPS basic SAR training. For more information and to register, contact Bil Vandergraff (Bil_Vandergraff@nps.gov) or Brandon Torres (>Brandon_Torres@nps.gov).

December 2 — December 6 — Fire Officer and Instructor Course, National Structural Fire Training Center, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, AZ. This class fulfills NFPA 1021/1041training standards to be qualified as Engine Company Fire Officer and Fire Instructor. The fire instructor course is required as a prerequisite for fire officer. This course is designed around classroom lectures, group activities, and individual presentations. Topics include learning theories, use of instructional materials and media, maintaining student records and techniques to effective communication. The fire officer portion of the class focuses on technical knowledge and leadership skills which are essential for command and control of engine company personnel during fire emergencies. Participants will be introduced to the skills of preplanning, communications, decision-making, fire attack strategies/tactics and logistical support functions. Skills are reinforced and evaluated through dynamic group sessions and video simulations. Certification is based upon completion of all on-line modules, class assessments and evaluations. Text books and access codes will be provided by the course coordinator. For further information, contact the Mark Gorman at 208-387-5244 or check the website at http://npsfamshare/structural/operations/default.aspx.

March 11 — March 12 — Petrography for Conservation, NCPTT, Natchitoches, LA. NCPTT and the University of Delaware to host a two-day hands-on workshop on the uses of polarized light microscopy for the study of stone and ceramic cultural materials. $299. For more information and registration go to; http://ncptt.nps.gov/blog/petrographic-analysis-for-conservation-2014/. Contact Jason Church jason_church@contractor.nps.gov or 318-356-7444

Online Training

Management

Hiring Reform Course for Managers. To reinforce the importance of the President’s hiring reform initiative and the changes associated with it (e.g., increased manager involvement in the hiring process and inability to ask applicants narrative questions in the initial application process), a new course, The Manager’s Role in the Hiring Process, has been launched in DOI Learn and is now available to all managers. This web-based training consists of three modules (overview, job analysis/assessment development, and applicant review/selection) that provide managers with basic information that will assist them in understanding their roles and responsibilities in the hiring process. It emphasizes the importance of manager involvement, which includes active engagement in the assessment process and determining the skills needed for positions being filled. The training can be used as a supplement to the strategic conversations that HR specialists have with selecting officials. Servicing Human Resources Offices (SHROs) will continue to serve as consultants and advisors to managers in the more detailed areas of the hiring and recruitment process which the training doesn’t cover, such as the development of assessment tools, specialized experience statements, and recruitment considerations (e.g. diversity and inclusion and special hiring authorities.). Completion time for this course is one-and-a-half hours; although it is tailored for managers, human resources professionals and other professionals associated with the hiring process are encouraged to take it. If you are looking for additional information regarding hiring reform, please refer to the hiring reform webpage. Both the course and the web page provide valuable information related to the hiring reform initiative.

Cultural Resources

Nationwide Programmatic Agreement Toolkit. To help guide NPS staff on implementing the NPS nationwide programmatic agreement, which governs Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, the NPS has developed a "toolkit." The toolkit is mandatory training that provides guidance to NPS superintendents and Section 106 coordinators, division chiefs, and facilities staff at region and park levels on using the programmatic agreement during Section 106 review. NPS employees may earn a certificate for their review of the toolkit through DOI Learn by taking a final assessment. Register for the course in DOI Learn, then review the contents of the toolkit website before returning to DOI Learn to complete a final assessment. The toolkit website is available online at: http://www.nps.gov/history/howto/PAToolkit/index.htm. For more information about the NPS nationwide programmatic agreement toolkit, please contact: Jeffrey Durbin, NPS Section 106 compliance program officer, at 202-354-1816 or Jeffrey_durbin@nps.gov

Managing Archeological Collections. Learn about caring for archeological collections and help to overcome the curation crisis. The course is designed to assist those who are interested in, or need to learn more about, preserving and managing archeological collections over the long term. Register for the course in DOI Learn, then review the contents of the course website before returning to DOI Learn to complete a final assessment. The course website is available online at: http://www.nps.gov/archeology/collections/index.htm. For more information, contact Teresa Moyer (202-354-2124, teresa_moyer@nps.gov).

Archeology for Interpreters. Through this training, interpreters and anyone with an interest and need to know — including law enforcement rangers, natural resource experts, and managers -- may gain basic knowledge about archeology. The course provides opportunities to learn about archeological methods and analysis and how to encourage concern for the preservation and protection of archeological resources. A park-based case study provides practice. Register for the course in DOI Learn, then review the contents of the course website before returning to DOI Learn to complete a final assessment. The course website is available online at: http://www.nps.gov/archeology/AforI/index.htm. For more information, contact Teresa Moyer (202-354-2124, teresa_moyer@nps.gov).

Interpretation for Archeologists. Archeologists and other resource professionals can take this training to gain a firm foundation in and understanding of the purpose, philosophy, and techniques of interpretation. The course encourages archeologists to frame their work for the public and to work with interpreters to integrate archeological perspectives into interpretive products and tell compelling stories. Register for the course in DOI Learn, then review the contents of the course website before returning to DOI Learn to complete a final assessment. The course website is available online at: http://www.nps.gov/archeology/IforA/index.htm. For more information, contact Teresa Moyer (202-354-2124, teresa_moyer@nps.gov).

Study Tour of Archeological Interpretation. View interpretation with "fresh eyes" to evaluate choices and strategies for interpreting archeology in parks and historic sites. Download worksheets to assist in evaluating both onsite interpretation and virtual visits. Register for the course in DOI Learn, then review the contents of the course website before returning to DOI Learn to complete a final assessment. The course website is available online at: http://www.nps.gov/archeology/studytour/index.htm. For more information, contact Teresa Moyer (202-354-2124, teresa_moyer@nps.gov).

Assessment of Archeological Interpretation. Use the interpretive analysis model to evaluate the effectiveness of interpreting archeological resources on the basis of visitor experience at the levels of short-term outcomes, long-term outcomes, and audience feedback. Learn more about the National Park Service evaluation strategy. Register for the course in DOI Learn, then review the contents of the course website before returning to DOI Learn to complete a final assessment. The course website is available online at: http://www.nps.gov/archeology/aiassess/index.htm. For more information, contact Teresa Moyer (202-354-2124, teresa_moyer@nps.gov).

NPS Fundamentals

NPS Fundamentals I: NPS Mission and History. A cornerstone for your NPS career. Learn online at your own pace about the history of the NPS, how the NPS is organized, and how the NPS fits into the federal government. Completion of this course is a prerequisite for NPS Fundamentals II: Introduction to NPS Operations. Cost: free. For more information, go to the NPS Fundamentals website: http://www.nps.gov/training/fund/index.htm . Contact: Judy Geniac, (Judy_Geniac@nps.gov, 928-638-7881).

NPS Fundamentals III: NPS Career Management and Retirement Planning. Look ahead in your NPS career and eventual retirement. Learn online at your own pace about career and retirement planning, including sessions on advancing in your chosen career path, financial planning, insurance, and making healthy lifestyle choices. Cost: free. For more information, go to the NPS Fundamentals website: http://www.nps.gov/training/fund/index.htm. Contact: Judy Geniac, (Judy_Geniac@nps.gov, 928-638-7881).

NPS Fundamentals IV: Managing Work Life in the NPS. What are the expected legal and ethical behaviors of NPS employees? Why should diversity matter to you? What can you do to ensure a safe work environment? Get these questions answered and more in this online course studying public ethics, diversity, and safety in the NPS. Cost: free. For more information, go to the NPS Fundamentals website: http://www.nps.gov/training/fund/index.htm. Contact: Judy Geniac, (Judy_Geniac@nps.gov, 928-638-7881).

Wilderness

The Wilderness Act of 1964. Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center/Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands. Click on this link for course information. Contact: Tim Devine, 406-243-4612, tim_devine@nps.gov with any questions.

Minimum Requirements Analysis. Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center/Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands. Click on this link for course information. Contact: Tim Devine, 406-243-4612, tim_devine@nps.gov with any questions.

Wilderness Stewardship Planning Framework. Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center/Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands. Click on this link for course information. Contact: Tim Devine, 406-243-4612, tim_devine@nps.gov with any questions.

Wilderness Visitor Use Management. A suite of three courses: Fundamentals, Strategies, and Monitoring Impacts and Uses. Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center/Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands. Click on this link for course information. Contact: Tim Devine, 406-243-4612, tim_devine@nps.gov with any questions.

Natural Resource Management in Wilderness. A suite of twelve courses: Fundamentals, Challenges in Natural Resource Restoration, Monitoring, Evaluating Proposals for Scientific Activity, Fish and Wildlife, Fish and Wildlife Inventory and Monitoring, Threatened and Endangered Species, Air Quality, Soil and Water, Vegetation, Soundscapes, and Night Sky. Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center/Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands. Click on this link for course information. Contact: Tim Devine, 406-243-4612, tim_devine@nps.gov with any questions.

Managing Cultural Resources in Wilderness. A suite of three courses: Fundamentals, Inventory and Monitoring, and Evaluating Scientific Proposals. Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center/Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands. Click on this link for course information. Contact: Tim Devine, 406-243-4612, tim_devine@nps.gov with any questions.

Managing Paleontological Resources in Wilderness. A suite of three courses: Fundamentals, Inventory and Monitoring, and Evaluating Scientific Proposals. Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center/Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands. Click on this link for course information. Contact: Tim Devine, 406-243-4612, tim_devine@nps.gov with any questions.

Deciding to Keep Wilderness Wild: Four Cornerstones for Wilderness Managers. Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center/Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands. Click on this link for course information. Contact: Tim Devine, 406-243-4612, tim_devine@nps.gov with any questions.

Retirement

Firefighter/Law Enforcement Officer Retirement Training for Human Resource Specialists, Managers and Supervisors. This course is designed to provide firefighter and law enforcement officer retirement training for human resources specialists, managers and supervisors. Cost: Free. For more information, see DOI Learn website: http://www.doi.gov/doilearn. Registration: DOI Learn Help Desk 1-866-466-1998 or email at doilearn@geolearning.com. FLERT Contact: William (Alan) Sizemore, Alan_Sizemore@ios.doi.gov 208-334-1556.

FERS Retirement Training for Firefighters and Law Enforcement Officers. This course is designed to provide firefighters and law enforcement officers with information on FERS special retirement provisions so that they can manage their careers in such a way that they maximize their benefits. Special retirement provisions apply to employees occupying these positions and they have specific responsibilities that are critical to know about and act upon throughout their careers if they expect to qualify for special retirement. Cost: Free. For more information, see DOI Learn website: http://www.doi.gov/doilearn. Registration: DOI Learn Help Desk 1-866-466-1998 or email at doilearn@geolearning.com. FLERT Contact: William (Alan) Sizemore, Alan_Sizemore@ios.doi.gov 208-334-1556.

Supervision

New Supervisor Development Program. This new training and development program, which was begun last year, is designed specifically for first-time supervisors within the 12 month probationary period of their initial appointment. The New Supervisor Development Program (NSDP) is a blended learning program that is delivered both online and in residential (three day) sessions across the country in collaboration with Bureau of Land Management, and the Fish and Wildlife Service. The online modules (completely free of cost) are available on DOILearn as preliminary work, and include the basics of in knowledge and skills for a first-time supervisor. Completion of these modules is followed by a three day Supervisory Skills Workshop (SSW) that provides synthesis and skills practice. The NSDP satisfies the initial 40-hour new supervisory training required by OPM (5CFR 412.202). There will be no cost to parks and regions in FY 2012 — all costs (tuition and travel) are being funded by WASO Learning and Development. Registrations for the SSW are managed via regional employee development officers by slot allocation. For more information, please contact Katrina Roberts, NSDP Training Manager, 202-354-1487, or Brigitte Keels, 202-354-1406, or your regional employee development officer. This program is expected to continue in FY 2013, but funding has yet to be determined. Additional information can be found at: http://www.nps.gov/training/ - click on the link under "Featured Links:New!"




PARKS AND PEOPLE

Southeast Region
GS-0025-14 Superintendent

Dates: 09/05/2013 - 10/03/2013

Southeast Region is actively recruiting for a superintendent for Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.

Click on the link below for a copy of the announcement with full details on duties, area information, and procedures for applying. For more information on the park, which extends across three states and commemorates the great American westward movement into wilderness, go to http://www.nps.gov/cuga/.

The announcement closes on October 3rd.
[Submitted by Gordon Wissinger, gordon_wissinger@nps.gov, (404) 507-5611] More Information...




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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.