The three-day search for a 22-year-old college student lost in the park came to a successful conclusion yesterday afternoon when he was found in good condition about five miles from the point where he'd last been seen. John Paul Chaufan Field, 22, a college student at the University of California at Santa Cruz, was last seen near Kibbie Lake in the Hetch Hetchy area of the park this past Saturday. Field was on a backpacking trip with a group of fellow students from UCSC. The students began their hike at Cherry Lake on Friday and set up camp near Kibbie Lake that evening. Late on Saturday morning, group members noticed that Chaufan Field was not present during a headcount. When the group reassembled approximately an hour later after a short day hike, he was still unaccounted for. Approximately 50 people began searching for him, including search and rescue teams from Yosemite National Park Search and Rescue, Contra Costa County, Marin County, Monterey County, and the Bay Area Mountain Rescue Unit.  The park's helicopter and a California Highway Patrol helicopter assisted ground teams in the search, as did search dog teams. He was spotted from the park's contract helicopter yesterday afternoon near Edith Lake, approximately five miles east of Kibbie Lake, the point where he was last seen. Rangers soon contacted him and found him to be unharmed and in good health.
[Submitted by Kari Cobb, Public Affairs Specialist]


Grand Canyon National Park (AZ)
Court Sentences Man Who Threatened Ranger

In December 2011, a man threatened a park protection ranger as a result of the ranger's performance of his official duties. The threat was emailed and involved the ranger being placed on suspect's "death list." The ranger contacted special agents with the Investigative Services Branch and an investigation was begun that revealed that the threat had come from Gary Palmer, who'd previously been convicted for threatening the same ranger in 2009, A criminal complaint was filed and an arrest warrant was issued, and the arrest warrant was entered into NCIC's wanted person files.  A Coconino County deputy contacted Palmer in the early morning hours outside of Flagstaff, Arizona, for sleeping in a picnic area; when Palmer's name was run through NCIC, the wanted person notice was discovered. Palmer was arrested on the outstanding warrant. On April 26th, Palmer pled guilty to one count of threatening a federal officer and four days later was sentenced to credit for time served in custody and one year of unsupervised probation.
[Submitted by Dionne K. Pegeder, Special Agent]


Grand Canyon National Park (AZ)
Sentence Issued In Assault Case

Rangers received information in mid-March regarding an assault on a Grand Canyon resident that resulted in serious bodily injury. ISB agents began an investigation and filed two complaints against Jordan Burns, who was also a suspect in another assault on a Grand Canyon resident. He was arrested on warrants by agents and protection rangers and pled guilty to both counts. Burns was sentenced to 180 days in custody and two years of supervised probation and was also ordered to pay restitution to both victims. 
[Submitted by Dionne K. Pegeder, Special Agent]


PARKS AND PEOPLE

On August 10, 2002 United States Park Police Officer Hakim Farthing was struck and killed by a drunk driver while assisting at the scene of another accident on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway.  Farthing had closed the New York Avenue exit ramp from the parkway and was proceeding back to the accident scene when a drunk driver drove through the roadblock and struck him.  He was killed instantly.  The suspect was charged with DUI and involuntary manslaughter.

Every year since Farthing's death, the United States Park Police honors him by presenting the Farthing Award to the United States Park Police officer who excelled in DUI and traffic enforcement throughout the year. 

This year's recipient was United Sates Park Police Officer Christopher Gogarty, who received the award on May 14th.
[Submitted by Sergeant Paul Brooks, Public Information Officer]


Midwest Region
Ranger Julie Weir's Name Added To Nebraska LE Memorial

On Monday May 14th, NPS law enforcement rangers, US Park Police officers, and wildland fire personnel from Midwest Regional Office in Omaha traveled to Grand Island, Nebraska, to pay tribute to Ranger Julie Ann Weir.  In remembrance of Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, Weir's name was added to the black granite wall at the Nebraska Law Enforcement Memorial, honoring those who have fallen in the line-of-duty. 

With temperatures in the mid 80's and bright, sunny skies, the day was a stark contrast to the weather conditions that were present that fateful February day in 2011 as Julie drove through Nebraska, en route to Yosemite NP for her field training assignment.

Law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency responders, family members and the public from around the state came to the annual Nebraska Law Enforcement Memorial Service to honor those that have given the ultimate sacrifice.

The ceremony began with officers from the Lancaster County Sheriff's Department's honor guard posting the American and Nebraska flags, the singing of the national anthem by Chassidy Jackson of the Lincoln Police Department, and a fly-over by the Nebraska State Patrol's helicopter. 

NPS Midwest Region Associate Director for Park Operations James Loach said the following about Julie:

"Her career with the National Park Service took her from the Big Bend country of Texas, to the wilderness of Alaska, from the Red Rocks of Utah to Wilds of Lake Superior. Julie's friends and coworkers remember her as strong, independent, and committed National Park Ranger. A law enforcement officer, emergency medical technician, wildland firefighter and guide.

"She was the kind of friend who would answer a phone call or a knock on the door no matter what time of day or night.  She always made time to spend with friends when they needed a friendly ear, or sitting with them while they finished reports or just hanging out and replaying the events of a day or winding down after a challenging incident.

"In every sense of the word Julie was a model ranger - highly trained, disciplined and well rounded an exemplary example for new employees and peers.

"Julie had a promising career ahead of her.  She distinguished herself in the Parks she had worked in and the endeavors she had undertaken.  She will truly be missed."

As the ceremony concluded, James presented an engraved wooden Arrowhead to the Nebraska State Patrol "Troop C" for the "professional and sensitive manner in which they managed the motor vehicle accident which took the life of our colleague, Ranger Weir." 

"The manner in which the troopers cared for our deceased fellow ranger, her personal effects, and her family when they arrived, demonstrated the deep bond that we share as law enforcement officers," Loach added.  "The troopers assured that no effort was spared to accommodate our needs as a bureau -- making immediate notification to our emergency operations center, securing credentials and equipment, and accommodating and hosting MWRO Ranger John Madden, who was immediately dispatched to the scene upon our notification."

The NPS staff in attendance from the Midwest Region Office accepted a medallion, on behalf of Ranger Weir's family, inscribed with "Remember Their Lives, Honor Their Sacrifice".  Julie's family was not in attendance at the Grand Island ceremony, as they were in Washington, DC attending the ceremony at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
[Submitted by J. Michael Johnson, j_michael_johnson@nps.gov, 402-661-1760]


Northeast Region
GS-0023-11/12 Outdoor Recreation Planner

Dates: 05/18/2012 - 05/29/2012

The Chesapeake Bay program office has two openings for full-time term outdoor recreation planners. 

This office represents the National Park Service in the state/federal Chesapeake Bay program partnership. The planners selected for these positions will be primarily focused on managing the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network, the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail and E.O. 13508.  This office is located in Annapolis, Maryland.  

For a copy of the announcement, click on the link below.  For more information, please contact Peggy Wall at 410-260-2473.
[Submitted by Colleen L. Stone, COLLEEN_STONE@NPS.GOV, (717)338-5914]  More Information...


Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (PA)
GS-0335-7 Computer Assistant (Lateral)

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is seeking a qualified GS-7 computer assistant interested in a lateral reassignment. This is a permanent, full-time position.  Payment of moving expenses may be authorized.

Major duties include:

• Providing information technology assistance to computer users at the park, including users with special requirements.
• Installing and testing PC's and their associated peripheral devices.
• Troubleshooting reported problems and resolving them or ordering repair service. 
• Providing support for standard National Park Service software programs.
• Installing and testing package software and utilities.
• Providing network support and cabling to the Local Area Network (LAN). 
• Instructing and training PC users in the use of software and/or basic personal computer concepts. 
• Assisting users in making connection to mainframe computers at remote sites in order to use centralized programs (e.g., FFS, PROP, FPPS, etc.). 
• Modifying or developing new applications programs to meet user needs using existing software

Nestled in the Pocono Mountains, just 80 miles west of New York City and 100 miles north of Philadelphia, Delaware Water Gap NRA attracts over five million visitors each year. Visitors marvel at the rocky crags, hemlock forests, tumbling waterfalls, and meandering river. Scenic drives take visitors through rural settings along historic roads and past some of the oldest houses in the Delaware River valley. The spectacular mountain and valley scenery are ideal backdrops for a variety of recreational activities that include hiking, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, biking, fishing, and hunting.

The 70,000-acre park also includes the Middle Delaware National Scenic River and 26 miles of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.  Nearby towns of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, Port Jervis, New York, and Newton, New Jersey, provide all services, including K-12 school, college, medical services and other community needs. Several smaller communities are also adjacent to the park. Summers and winters are generally mild, with average summer temperatures about 80 degrees, with some humidity, and average winter temperatures about 30 degrees. Housing in nearby communities is available for both purchase and renting. Visit the park website for more information, at www.nps.gov/dewa. Park housing is not available.

Interested applicants should submit the following:

• A resume or OF 612, Optional Application for Federal Employment, or SF-171.
• Your most current SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action.
• A copy of your latest performance appraisal.

Applications/resumes must be received in the HR Office by June 11th. Applications may be faxed to 570-426-2410 or emailed to nancy_bruce@nps.gov.

If you are interested and have questions about this opportunity contact IT specialist Donna Long at 570-426-2441 or email, donna_long@nps.gov.