The Morning Report
Monday, March 09, 2015
INCIDENTS
Editor's Desk
No Reports Today
No new incident reports have been received.
NEWS AND NOTES
Selma To Montgomery National Historic Trail (AL)
Selma's Blood Sunday Commemorated
More than 40,000 people gathered at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge next to the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail Interpretive Center this weekend to commemorate the 40th anniversary of "Bloody Sunday," a watershed moment in the Civil Rights Movement.
Local, state and federal officials, including many members of Congress, former President and First Lady George and Laura Bush, President and First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama, and original "foot soldier" Congressman John Lewis attended a ceremony commemorating the anniversary.
On March 7, 1965, hundreds of men, women, and children attempted to march from Selma to Montgomery to protest Jim Crow laws that restricted African Americans from registering to vote. As the protestors crossed the bridge from Selma into Dallas County, they were met with a wall of state troopers and a posse organized by Dallas County Sheriff Jim Clark.
Officers ordered the participants to disperse and return to their homes or their churches. The officers and posse then beat the protestors with nightsticks and cattle prods and dispersed them with teargas.
Superintendent Sandy Taylor and site manager Barbara Tagger welcomed Director Jon Jarvis, Southeast Regional Director Stan Austin, and Southeast Deputy Regional Director Sherri Fields as special guests for the weekend's events.
The National Park Service Eastern Incident Management Team has supported White House, state, and local agencies with 70 employees from 23 national park units.
For more information, photos and a video with President Obama's comments, click on the link to the White House webpage on the event at the "More Information" link below.
[Submitted by Brent Everitt, IO, Eastern IMT]
George Washington Birthplace National Monument (VA)
Park Kicks Off Centennial Series With Birthday Celebration
On February 22nd, George Washington Birthplace National Monument hosted a celebration of the anniversary of George Washington's birthday.
While the park celebrates Washington's birthday each year, linking the event to the NPS centennial and opening the historic Log House Tea Room and Lodge to the public made this year's event very special.
The Log House was constructed by the Wakefield National Memorial Association in 1932 as overnight lodging for monument guests, as well as a place for visitors to purchase food and drink during their visits. It is constructed of massive hand-hewn logs and sits on a point overlooking Popes Creek.
Although the outside is fairly rustic, the inside is anything but. Dark wood paneling lines the interior, ample fireplaces anchor both ends of the room, and a steeply sloped ceiling with arched, hand-pegged beams creates an unexpected old-world atmosphere.
"The Log House is the traditional seat of birthplace hospitality and the traditional setting for the celebration of Washington's birthday at the park," says Superintendent Melissa Cobern. "We are delighted to revisit these traditions and to be able to open the Log House to the public again."
Despite inclement weather, the event was well-attended by the public. Chief of Interpretation Scott Hill welcomed everyone to the celebration and led everyone in singing in happy birthday to our most prominent founding father. Guests were then treated to cake and punch while enjoying views of Popes Creek and learning more about the history of the Log House, George Washington and the NPS Centennial.
"We couldn't think of a better way to start our series of centennial events than with Washington's Birthday," says Hill. "Washington dedicated his life to nourishing the roots of democracy and National Parks are the one of the very best reflections of democracy in action. Here's to George Washington and the next 100 years of the NPS!"
Other highlights of the day included Colonial cooking and blacksmithing demonstrations, as well as a flag raising ceremony by local Boy Scouts.
Southeast Region
Jill Jaworski Named Chief Ranger At Cape Lookout
Jill Jaworski has been selected as the new chief ranger for Cape Lookout National Seashore. She is currently a supervisory protection ranger, fee program manager, and special park use coordinator at Castillo de San Marcos National Monument and Fort Matanzas National Monument in Florida.
Jill recently completed a 120-day detail as the chief ranger at Cumberland Island National Seashore. Her tentative EOD is April 5th.
Jill has worked at Wind Cave National Park, Jewell Cave National Park, White Sands National Monument, Great Smokey Mountains National Park, Curecanti National Recreation Area, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Mount Rainier National Park. She also served eight years in U.S. Army Reserve.
Jill earned a bachelor's degree from University of Nebraska at Omaha in recreation and leisure studies with an emphasis in outdoor recreation and education.
[Submitted by Bill Reynolds]
Glacier National Park
Administrative Officer Lisa Brewster Has Retired
Lisa Brewster, administrative officer at Glacier National Park, retired on February 28th with 30 years of service to the National Park Service.
Lisa's federal career started 1984 when she took a position as a part-time personnel clerk at Ozark National Scenic Riverways in Missouri. She joined the Yellowstone Human Resources Office as an HR specialist in 1991 and a year later was promoted to the human resources officer position for Glacier National Park.
Lisa served on many temporary promotions and details during this time and also was also called upon to service on review teams. In 2007 Lisa was promoted to the administrative officer position.
She has actively and successfully strengthened Glacier National Park's leadership team through her knowledge of the park and through her broad-based knowledge of the National Park Service mission and objectives. Her strong management abilities and keen analytical mind have served Glacier National Park and the National Park Service well.
For over 22 years at Glacier National Park, Brewster demonstrated outstanding program management skills and maintained excellent levels of accountability and integrity. Her expertise was regularly sought by national and regional teams. Specifically, she served on advisory teams associated with the centralization of administrative functions Servicewide. Her expertise broad scope of knowledge has been repeatedly called upon for management reviews at other parks.
Lisa will retire to northwest Montana with her husband, Neil. They look forward to exploring Montana and enjoying the park and wilderness areas in the surrounding area and visiting their grown kids in California, Florida, Montana and Colorado.
A celebration of her career was held last Friday. Well wishes for Lisa may be directed to Sara_Hemmer@nps.gov.
[Submitted by Kym A. Hall, Deputy Superintendent]
Office of Legislative and Congressional Affairs
Weekly Legislative Activities Report
The Office of Legislative and Congressional Affairs puts out weekly reports on hearings, new legislation and other activities on the Hill. This report covers activities in Congress through March 6th.
In order to obtain the full text of any of the bills that appear below, click on the following link: http://thomas.loc.gov/ . That will take you to Thomas, the Library of Congress legislative tracking system. Enter the bill number in the "Search Bill Text" block, being sure to also click on the "Bill Number" option below the block.
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New Public Laws
Nothing to report.
Floor Action
Nothing to report.
Committee Activity
On March 4th, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the Department of the Interior's FY 2016 budget request. The Department's witness was Secretary Sally Jewell.
On March 5th, the House Committee on Natural Resources held an oversight hearing on the Department of the Interior's spending priorities and the President's FY16 budget proposal. The Department's witness was Secretary Sally Jewell.
New Bills Introduced
The following new bills of interest to the NPS were introduced:
- H.R. 792 (Griffith, R-VA-9), Acre In, Acre Out Act.
- H.R. 1208 (Garamendi, D-CA-3), to establish the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area.
- S. 630 (Feinstein, D-CA), Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area Establishment Act.
- H.R. 1289 (DeSaulnier, D-CA-11), to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to acquire approximately 44 acres of land in Martinez, California, and for other purposes.
- S. 651 (Boxer, D-CA), to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to acquire certain land in Martinez, California, for inclusion in the John Muir National Historic Site, and for other purposes.
- S. 659 (Sullivan, R-AK), to protect and enhance opportunities for recreational hunting, fishing, and shooting, and for other purposes.
Upcoming Committee Activity
On March 12th, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (Murkowski) will hold a hearing on S. 556 (Murkowski, R-AK), a bill to protect and enhance opportunities for recreational hunting, fishing, and shooting, and for other purposes. The hearing will be at 10:00 am in 366 Dirksen Senate Building. The Department's witness has not yet been determined.
TBD — The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies will hold a hearing on the National Park Service's FY 2016 budget request on date to be determined. The hearing, originally scheduled for March 5th, was postponed due to inclement weather. The Department's witness will be Director Jon Jarvis.
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For additional information, please visit the Legislative and Congressional Affairs Office website at http://www.nps.gov/legal/
[Submitted by Andrea Dekoter]
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Congaree National Park (SC)
GL-0025-9 Protection Ranger (Detail)
Congaree National Park is seeking candidates for a detail of up to 120 days as a protection ranger. The desired starting date is April 19th.
Congaree National Park will pay all travel and per diem costs. Base salary is negotiable with the home unit. Applicants must possess NPS commissions (level I or II) and at minimum current EMR certifications. Current MOCC certification and wildland firefighter certification is strongly desired.
Congaree National Park is located in South Carolina approximately 20 minutes from the state capitol of Columbia. The park protects the largest remaining tract of old growth bottomland forest in the United States. The park contains approximately 27,000 acres, with the vast majority of the park being wilderness or designated wilderness.
The ranger selected will have the opportunity to be involved in the full range of visitor and resource protection activities, including law enforcement, search and rescue, emergency medical services, and wildland fire. The ranger will work in frontcountry and backcountry settings and patrol the park by foot, patrol vehicle, motorized and non-motorized boat and ATV. The ranger will have the opportunity to be involved in resource and visitor protection program and policy development and contribute to ongoing park projects. Additionally, the ranger may have the opportunity to conduct overnight or multi-day patrols.
If interested, please send an updated resume, most recent performance appraisal, a current SF-50 and documentation of supervisory approval to Chief Ranger Duane Michael at ronald_michael@nps.gov by COB March 20th. For questions, please contact Duane at (803) 647-3967 or (803) 210-9547.
Midwest Region
GS-0318-8/9 Secretary (OA)
Dates: 03/05/2015 - 03/19/2015
Midwest Regional Office has issued an announcement for a secretary (OA) in the regional director's office.
Click on the link below for a copy of the announcement with full details on duties, area information, and procedures for applying.
It closes on March 19th.
[Submitted by Barbara Golden, barbara_golden@nps.gov, 402-661-1642]
Flagstaff Area National Monuments - AZ
GS-0399-6 Student Trainee (Administrative Support Assistant)
An announcement for an administrative support assistant position from the Pathways intern program has been issued by the Flagstaff Area National Monuments.
Applicants must be current NPS Pathways career interns enrolled in degree or certificate programs on at least a half-time basis and in good academic standing.
Click on the link below for a copy of the announcement with full details on duties and procedures for applying.
For specific job position information, contact Janet Phillips, (928-526-1157, extension 272)
More Information...
Southeast Region
GS-0560-9 Budget Analyst (Detail)
Southeast Region's Comptroller Division is seeking candidates for a 90-day detail as a budget analyst.
The person selected will:
- Serve as the regional office travel coordinator as it pertains to policies, procedures and guidance.
- Serves as the lead federal agency travel administrator for the Concur travel system and has permanent change of station responsibilities, including monitoring the relocation budget for Southeast Region.
- Will be responsible for undelivered order (UDO) processing for the entire region and for the regional headquarters office, including obligations and de-obligations of purchase orders and miscellaneous obligation.
- Manage OTC Net deposits and other funding needs for the region.
- Assist with financial operations, including charge card reconciliation, non-IPP invoice payments in FBMS, journal vouchers, bills of collection and income transfers.
- Advise regional and directorate leadership on the status of budget.
- Serve as the regional office AFS4 coordinator.
This opportunity provides for an advanced understanding of the role of budgeting, financial programming, and financial operations at the regional level, and provides additional perspective on these areas in relation to park, program, and WASO level budget matters.
The detail also provides an excellent opportunity to learn business processes at the regional headquarters level along with having daily interactions with the regional directorate. The detailee will interact with the comptroller and staff regarding a myriad of funding sources.
Requirements include:
- Knowledge of the principles and objectives of government budget formulation
- Knowledge of FBMS and AFS4,
- General knowledge of NPS operating programs, functions, and objectives
- Knowledge of the NPS budget structure, line items, activities, appropriations, and limitations.
- Ability to communicate orally and in writing to prepare budget analysis.
Interested employees must include the following information in their submissions:
- Resume, including your current position title, series and grade
- Most recent SF-50 (non-award)
- A letter of support from your immediate supervisor, and
- Most recent performance appraisal
This information must be e-mailed by COB March 9th to >michael_andrew_byrd@nps.gov. The approximate start date is March 23rd.
Individuals interested in seeking additional information are encouraged to contact Debra Ledford (404 507-5646) or Michael Andrew Byrd (404 507-5645) with any questions.