Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Monday, May 12, 2008
Weather
Yosemite: TODAY...MOSTLY SUNNY. BREEZY. HIGHS 61 TO 71 IN YOSEMITE
VALLEY... 41 TO 51 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
TONIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY IN THE EVENING THEN CLEARING. COLDER. LOWS 30 TO 40
IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...19 TO 29 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
TUESDAY...SUNNY...BREEZY. NOT AS COOL. HIGHS 70 TO 80 IN YOSEMITE
VALLEY...50 TO 60 IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
TUESDAY NIGHT..MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS 35 TO 45 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY... 26 TO 36
IN THE HIGH COUNTRY.
WEDNESDAY...SUNNY. HIGHS 76 TO 86 IN YOSEMITE VALLEY...55 TO 65 IN THE HIGH
COUNTRY.
El Portal: Today: Sunny, with a high near 75. North northeast wind 8 to 15
mph becoming west southwest.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 38. West southwest wind 6 to 16 mph
becoming northeast.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 83. East northeast wind 13 to 16 mph
becoming west southwest 5 to 8 mph.
Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 44. Southwest wind at 11 mph
becoming north.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 90. East northeast wind between 8 and 11
mph becoming calm.
Happening Today/This Week (Check the Community News section for other
events)
Purchase Card Training Opportunity
Tuesday, 13 May, 0800-1000, Valley Admin Lobby. Training session to be
held on the use of the GSA Advantage website. If you use your government
card to make purchases, you can benefit from this training. There are
about 4-5 seats still available. Please contact me ASAP at 379-1873 or via
email if you would like to attend. (L. Schafer - 5/7/08)
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Please join us for this month's Yosemite Forum, Tuesday May 13th, 12 - 1
p.m. in the Yosemite Valley Auditorium.
Matt Brooks from the USGS Yosemite Field Station will present Changes at
the USGS Yosemite Field Station: a New Lead Scientist and Expanded
Capabilities.
Matt Brooks will be taking over as the lead Research Scientist for the USGS
Yosemite Field Station, replacing outgoing lead research scientist Jan van
Wagtendonk who will be retiring at the end of this year. Dr Brooks is
coming from the USGS Las Vegas Field Station where, as a research botanist,
he conducted research in the Mojave Desert, Great Basin, and western
Colorado Plateau. Matt has been studying the ecology and management of
invasive plants and fire in western North America for approximately 20
years. He will talk about his background and his plans for research at the
Yosemite Field Station. (B. Kuhn - 5/9/08)
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Tioga Road: Beginning Wedneday, May 14, 2008, Tioga Road will be opened to
Administrative traffic, but only for those authorized employees with
current avalanche training certification and fully equipped per "Tioga Pass
Road Opening and Closing Plan." Four avalanche zones remain and are signed
accordingly. These employees should be personnel who are essential for the
preparation of infrastructure such as Buildings and Grounds and Utilities.
All avalanche trained personnel entering the Tioga Road, where gated, will
contact the designated Access Coordinator. Ed Appling will be the
coordinator Monday thru Wednesday. Ed's radio call number is #360 or his
designee. Bob Brantley will be the coordinator Thursday thru Saturday. His
radio call number is #261 or his designee. For Sunday, the access
coordinator will be designated by the Mather District Ranger. Park
dispatch will be informed of who is the designated Access Coordinator each
day.
All personnel entering a specified Avalanche Zone will contact another
vehicle in their convoy (partner vehicle) prior to and when exiting
controlled avalanche zones.
All personnel entering the Tioga Road will adhere to the daily schedule for
exiting through the Avalanche Zones as established by the Avalanche Team
and implemented by the designated Access Coordinator. This means personnel
must exit the Tioga Road each day at the time established by the
coordinator. No exceptions. All persons granted administrative access must
be prepared for the possibility of remaining in place overnight and have
sufficient clothing, food and other equipment in the event changing
conditions prohibit return travel through the avalanche zones.
All authorized personnel need to be aware of ongoing snow removal
operations, tree removal operations, sign maintenance operations and other
administrative functions. Please drive with utmost caution. (T.
Ludington/B. Benitag - 5/12/08)
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An after action de-brief for the Highway 120 Incident (Bus MCI) of 5/8 will
be held at 1100 am on Thursday 5/15/08 at the Valley SAR training room.
Anyone involved in this incident is encouraged to come and participate.
For those that are unable to attend and have constructive comments they
wish to have addressed, or other comments please email them to
Michael_W_Foster@nps.gov. Thanks for a job well done. (M. Foster - 5/12/08)
New Today
Fire Season Opens - 2008 Fire Season - May 19. The coming fire season
predictions are not favorable conditions with predicted warmer than normal
summer and dryness. The opening of fire season requires residents of the
Park to use diligence in prepping of their property of all ground litter
within their property boundaries to be fire wise and safe. This includes
trimming of limbs that encroach against structures, removal of all
vegetative material from roofs and rain gutters or any other accumulations
of dead and down material. The opening of fire season curtails any further
burning of any vegetation piles by property owners. (G. Wuchner - 5/12/08)
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National Be Bear Aware and Wildlife Stewardship Month
Did you know?
Bears are opportunistic omnivores and will eat virtually anything that
provides nutrition. They spend the largest percentage of their time
pursuing and consuming food.
Bears need your help!
In 2007, bears broke into several homes in El Portal, Yosemite Valley, and
Foresta by going through open doors or windows. Bears can tear through
screens in a matter of seconds and will enter your home in search of food.
Keep all windows and doors closed. You can keep your home cool by opening
windows at night and closing them during the day, trapping the cool air
inside. (T. Seher - 5/12/08)
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Special Park Uses has moved
In preparation for remodeling the SPU/EPRO Office into the new El Portal
Market, the Special Park Uses employees have been temporarily relocated to
various locations in El Portal and Yosemite Valley. All of their previous
phone numbers should be functioning as usual at this time.
Name Title Current Office/Mailing
Phone Number
Chris Jefferson Special Permits Program Mgr Safety
Office/SPU 379-1877
Sue Clark Film and Wedding Permit Mgr Maintenance Office/SPU
379-1854
Ruth Middlecamp CUA Program Mgr (Buses) Facility Mgmt
Office/SPU 379-1851
Chris Thorp Administrative Asst (SPU) Procurement
Ofice/SPU 379-1858
Julie Crossland Administrative Asst (Fees) Procurement
Office/Whse 379-1940
Liz Roberts Budget Analyst (BRM) Valley Admin/BRM
372-0333 (New)
Ken Stowell Volunteers in Parks Coord. Valley B&G/VIP
Office 379-1850 (Forwarded)
Assistant VIP Mgr Valley Constr.
Trailers 379-1855 (Forwarded) (W. Malone - 5/12/08)
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Today’s Date: May 8, 2008
District: 10 - Stockton
Contact: Chantel Miller
Phone: (209) 948-7176
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Traffic Advisory
STate Route 140/Ferguson Rockslide Bypass in Mariposa County
Mariposa County - The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
will close State Route 140/Ferguson Rockslide Bypass (Incline Road) in
Mariposa County to through traffic in one hour intervals. Accumulated
traffic will be allowed to go through the closure at the top of the hour;
i.e.: 12:00 a.m. (midnight), 1:00 a.m., 2:00 a.m., 3:00 a.m., and 4:00 a.m.
Work will begin Sunday, May 11, 2008, through Saturday, May 17, 2008, from
11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
Emergency service vehicles will be provided access.
These closures are necessary to allow crews to construct the new interim
bridges in this location.
Motorists can expect one hour delays. Alternate routes should be taken
whenever possible. This work is scheduled to begin as listed, but is
subject to change based on weather conditions.
The contractor for this $8 million project is Teichert Construction, of
Stockton, CA. This project will install two interim bridges to allow 45
foot vehicles to utilize the temporary bypass while the Permanent
Restoration Project is developed for State Route 140. Caltrans decided to
install the new interim bridges to bypass after it was determined that the
Permanent Project would not go into construction as anticipated this
summer.
For the safety of workers and other motorist, please Slow For the Cone
Zone. www.dot.ca.gov (S. Gediman - 5/12/08)
Construction News
Swinging Bridge Accessibility Improvements Project
Construction for accessibility improvements at the Swinging Bridge Picnic
area will be the week of April 28, 2008. This projects is part of a larger
project effort to improve accessibility at five day-use areas throughout
the park. The contractor will fence off the areas to be improved including
several parking spaces for vehicle and material staging. Construction will
continue for the next two weeks. (J. Chisum - 4/28/08)
Hodgdon Meadow Duplex Installation - The contractor has completed work on
the concrete foundation. Framing and utility crews will being doing layout
work beginning the week of April 28, 2008 with construction beginning
sometime the following week. Construction is scheduled to continue through
the spring and summer and be completed in September. (J. Chisum - 04/29/08)
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Reconstruct El Portal Road at the "Narrows" (a 1/4 mile section of road
upstream of the Big Oak Flat Road (with connections to Highway 120)/El
Portal Road intersection) Please note the following update on the
contractor's construction schedule for the El Portal Road reconstruction at
the "narrows":
The following schedule is in effect:
Monday through Saturday - 30 minute delays from 6 am until 10 pm
Sunday through Thursday nights - closure from 10 pm until 6 am with one
opening at 11 pm
Call 372-0200.1.1.2 for last minute updates on the status of the
closure/opening of this road.(G. Rothell - 3/11/08)
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North and Southside Drive Rehabilitation
*April 24th thru May 23rd---Southside Drive---There will be intermittent
one lane traffic control on Southside Drive between Housekeeping and Pohono
Bridge as crews are surveying and placing rock/headwall work (Less than
15-minute delays).
*April 24th thru May 23rd--Northside Drive---Crews are completing a test
section of paving and placing stone headwalls on Northside Drive this week.
If the test section of paving goes well this week they will begin paving
next week on Northside Drive, therefore once paving starts there will be
many trucks coming into the park via Big Oak Flat Road, so please be
patient.
Big Oak Flat Road Seal Project
May 27th>>Crews are planning to work nights placing a seal coat on the
remaining Big Oak Flat Road segment between Foresta Road Intersection and
the Tioga Road Intersection (Crane Flat). The work is scheduled over a 2-3
week period depending upon the weather and temperatures.(M. Pieper -
4/15/08)
Wawona Tunnel Ventilation Repairs
*Design work is continuing. (M. Pieper - 4/24/08)
Park News
Comprehensive Interpretive Plan - Workshop - May 20, 2008
Yes, we just wrapped up our first workshop, but the next is just around the
corner!
We will address Audiences, Critical Issues facing Interpretation/Education,
and Delivery of Interpretive Services in the Yosemite region. Please use
the attached link to review our 2005 Visitor Study for some background. I
will be forwarding an agenda next week.
http://www.nps.gov/archive/yose/planning/documents/2005survey.pdf
Please RSVP by Friday, May 16th for this workshop. More soon! (T. Medema -
5/9/08)
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2008 Barry Hance Memorial Award
Who can submit a nomination?
Any NPS employee or group may make a nomination, with the approval of
the nominee’s supervisor.
How do I nominate someone?
Complete an Award Nomination Form (attached).
Send the completed form in a blue “confidential” envelope to any Awards
Committee member.
Nominations must be submitted no later than June 2, 2008.
What are the criteria for nomination? The employee…
worked in Yosemite National Park in 2007.
exemplifies the highest ideals of the NPS mission – protecting and
preserving America’s natural and cultural resources, while providing for
visitor enjoyment for the benefit of future generations.
is cheerful and projects a positive attitude.
communicates well with his or her supervisor (supervisor must support
the nomination).
works as a team member and extends a helping hand.
Barry Hance was an NPS maintenance employee who lost his life in a 1995
avalanche while clearing the Tioga Road.
An award was established in his honor to recognize an NPS employee who
exemplifies Barry’s concern for others and dedication to the goals and
ideals of Yosemite National Park.
Please use the attached nomination form and return it in a sealed blue
envelope to any awards committee member by June 2, 2008. The selection
committee, composed of past Barry Hance Award recipients, will then review
the nominations and make their recommendation to the Superintendent. See
Cyndi Mattiuzzi's message for form. (C. Mattiuzzi - 4/21/08)
Announcements
The John Muir Trail from Clark's Point to Nevada Fall is open for the
season. (M. Fincher - 5/9/08)
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UPDATE - Highway 140 Bridge Construction Schedule - A meeting was held
today with CalTrans and the following construction schedule was determined
for the new bridges on Highway 140.
Daytime operations will remain as they have been with stop light or
flagging operations directing traffic. The night time closures for
construction will occur on the following schedule: Sunday through
Thursday, beginning May 11 and continuing through the beginning of July.
The hours of closure will be: 11:00 p.m. - 5:00 a.m. with openings each
hour on the hour. There will be no closures, other than the normal stop
light, on Fridays and Saturdays and for the entire Memorial Weekend.
Emergency traffic will be accommodated. (Yose Superintendent - 5/9/08)
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Drop in program: Come join the Habitat Protectors of Yosemite (HaPY)
program! Program runs Fridays from May2- October 31st. Work with park
staff to remove invasive plants and learn basic ecological principles. All
volunteers are required to wear pants and closed-toe shoes. Long sleeves,
sunscreen, water, and snacks are recommended. Meet in front of Yosemite
Valley Visitor Center at 9am. Bring a lunch and join us! (M. DeBree -
5/1/08)
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DNC plans to start shuttle service between the Wawona Store and the
Mariposa Grove of Big Trees on Friday, May 9 for the season. Hours of
operation will be 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. The Big Trees Tram Tour operation
is scheduled to start for the season on Saturday, May 10. For further
information on the tram tour, contact 209.372.1621 (A. Catamec - 5/9/08)
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New Permanent Big Oak Flat Campground Supervisor - Please join the Business
and Revenue Management Division in welcoming Melissa Burnham to her new
permanent position as the Supervisor of the Big Oak Flat Campground Office.
Melissa comes to us with previous experience working for the Arizona State
Park System, and most recently as a park ranger at Adams National Historic
Park in Quincy, MA. She will be responsible for the operations of the
Crane Flat, Hodgdon Meadow, Tamarack Flat, White Wolf, Yosemite Creek, and
Porcupine Flat Campgrounds (obviously, not a small job!) Welcome Melissa!
(M. Carter - 5/8/08)
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Congrats to Valor awardees from Yosemite!
May 6, 2008
Memorandum
To: All DOI Employees
From: James E. Cason /s/
Associate Deputy Secretary
Subject: 65th Departmental Honor Awards Convocation
The 65th Departmental Honor Awards Convocation will be held May 13, 2008,
at 1:00 p.m., in the Sidney R. Yates Auditorium at the Main Interior
Building. DOI employees who have received the Distinguished Service Award,
the Valor Award, the Citizens Award for Bravery, and the Department Safety
Awards will be honored at the Convocation.
The following individuals will be honored at this year’s convocation.
List of Award Winners
Distinguished Service Award
U.S. Geological Survey Recipients
Francis H. Chapelle
Susan L. Collier
Anne F. Frondorf
Martin B. Goldhaber
Paul A. Hsieh
William G. Wilber
Bureau of Land Management
Anna F. Steele
Bureau of Reclamation
John W. McDonald
Kirk C. Rodgers
Fish and Wildlife Service
Ralph Costa
Minerals Management Service
August J Kocher III
Robert P. LaBelle
Office of Surface Mining
William Bass
Barbara Chadwick
Dennis Rice
National Park Service
David L. Barna
Dale B. Engquist
C. Bruce Sheaffer
Michael A. Soukup
Office of the Solicitor
Paul B. Smyth
Valor Award
Bureau of Land Management
Scott W. Brandt
Michael D. Hendrickson
Lester M. McDonald
Michael Sperry
Michael C. McMaster
Scott Meneely
Andrew Rishavy
Andrea Robinson
Andrew Snyder
Steven Spellberg
National Park Service
Mt. McKinley Rescue
David T. Bywater
Christopher P. Harder
Reynold G. Jackson
Steven W. Rickert
John F. McConnell
Neil McNab (Citizens Award for Bravery)
Andrew Perkins (Citizens Award for Bravery)
Yosemite
John Dill
Daniel Gleason
David A. Horne
Gregory R. Lawler
Edward Visnovske
Shawn Walters
Blue Ridge Parkway
David G. Bauer
Eduardo L. Cartaya
Yosemite - El Capitan Rescue
Jack J. Hoeflich
Keith L. Lober
Yosemite – El Capitan Rescue II
Eric J. Gabriel
Citizens Award for Bravery
Henry Phill Michael nominated by the National Park Service
Danny Keith Stanley nominated by the National Park Service
Neil McNab nominated by the National Park service
Andrew Perkins nominated by the National Park service
DOI Safety Awards
The Professional Service Award
Bureau of Land Management
Sandy Guches
The Award of Merit
National Park Service
Louis Rowe
Bureau of Reclamation
Richard Kristof
Ken Lally
Pacific Northwest Region Dive Team and the Lower Colorado Region Dive Team
Dennis Hawkins Greg Finnegan
Mark Albl James Burke
Jesse Chan Greg Clune
Jeff Foot Tim Dewey
Dave Godaire Phil Mann
Brian Hamilton Seth Ostrowski
Ryan Hedrick Rick Scott
Walt Heyder Joel Strum
Kevin Kelly Rodney Tang
Rob McAffee Caireen Ulepic
Ron Oaks
Bill Parks
Jeff Peterson
Jerry Sharman
Dana Wiegel
Minerals Management Service
Safety Policy Rewrite Team
Staci Atkins
Marriane Boucher
Rhonda Dillon
Roey Holliday
Tom Keller
U.S. Geological Survey
Large Vessel Safety Working Group
David Nichols
Timothy Cherry
Philip Bernard
Gary Hill
Ron Kuzniar
Wayne E. Martin
If you have any questions, please contact Joy Buhler, Office of Human
Resources at (202) 219-0811, or via e-mail joy_buhler@ios.doi.gov.
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Training Announcement
Date: Monday May 19, 2008
Time: 08:30-12:00 or 13:00-16:30 all topics offered twice May 19 to allow
for continuity of operations.
Location: SAR Training Room, Yosemite Valley
Topics and intended audience:
Hanta Virus Awareness* 08:30-09:00 & 13:00-13:30
All Yose employees should receive hanta virus awareness training, employees
required to assess or open seasonal buildings need this class and
respiratory protection to be properly qualified, see hanta virus policy for
specific details.
http://www.yose.nps.gov/yosenet/safety/Critical_Programs/08_Hanta_Policy...
Respiratory Protection Training* 09:00 - 10:30 & 13:30 – 15:00
All personnel exposed to respiratory hazards above the OSHA permissible
exposure limit (PEL) or employees exposed to unknown levels of respiratory
hazards need respiratory training, a medical clearance, and a fit test.
Prerequisite: Respiratory Questionnaire forms are here:
http://www.yose.nps.gov/yosenet/safety/forms.htm
Hearing Conservation Program Training* 11:00 - 12:00 & 15:30 – 16:30
All employees exposed to noise levels above the OSHA permissible exposure
limit (PEL). Affected Branches include Fire, LE, B&G, R&T, Utilities,
Vegetation, and Archeology. Includes a baseline audiogram and annual
audiograms to assess program effectiveness.
Call Claudine Ronay at 379-1072 to register for training on the 19th, only
20 training slots available for each session morning and afternoon.
*See Guide to Safety Management for policy and applicability. (R. Farmer -
5/8/08)
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New Postage Rate Increase May 12 - Its here! The new rate increases.
For most of you for your personal mail you are probably mostly worried
about your First Class mailings, those never ending bills and such. Single
piece rates have only gone up a penny. 41 cents has gone up to 42 cent.
for l oz. 58 cents for 2 oz has gone up to 59 cents. 75 cents for 3 oz is
now 76 cents and 92 cents for 3.5 oz is now 93 cents. (Sorry, I can't find
a "cents" symbol on my typewriter!) However, not to worry!!! I have an
excuse to get rid of all those pennies I have been accumulated so there
will be a penny dish near the mail tubs. Just use up your left over 41
cents stamps and I will take care of the rest until you buy those new
books. (Post cards are now 27 cents, a penny increase.)
For those of you who thought ahead and bought those "Forever" stamps,
aren't you proud of yourself? It is not too late to buy Forever stamps at
todays prices!
Priority has increased from $4.60 to $4.80. Certified mail from $2.65 to
$2.70 and Return Receipt from $2.l5 to $2.20. Similiarly all other
services have gone up as well but this is more of a concern for your Mail
clerks.
By the way, many of you are STILL forgetting to put your names and/or
offices on your Certified, Insured, Signature Confirmation, and Return
Receipts. If you are missing them, they are posted on the bulletin board
in the YV mailroom, in a small box in EP. Remember, you can't "track" your
package if you don't get your tracking number back. Happy mailling!
Warmly, Your smiling, friendly Mail Clerks (D. Hales - 5/8/08)
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2009 Albright-Wirth Grant Program - New Deadline extension date - !!! May
16, 2008 !!!
The Albright-Wirth Grant program has recently experienced computer
technical problems that may have prevented or delayed applicants from
receiving supervisory approvals. As a result the deadline date for
accepting applications is extended to May 16, 2008. Those employees who
previously submitted applications need not reapply and supervisors of grant
applicants will be able to access the application for endorsement after the
May 16th deadline date.
Albright-Wirth Grant applications now accepted thru May 16, 2008
!!!! Don’t delay, Apply today!!!!
Go to the web link to read the announcement and start your application
today!
http://mylearning.nps.gov/awgrant
Grants are available up to $5,000 for individuals and $15,000 for groups of
3 or more qualifying employees.
Do you need technical assistance? Email nps_helpms@nps.gov or contact
Grant Administrator at lonnie_lowe@nps.gov or call Lonnie Lowe at
202-354-1487.
The Albright-Wirth Grant Program is managed by the Supervision, Management
& Leadership Programs, Capital Training Center, 1201 Eye St. NW,
Washington, DC 20005. Sandy Taylor, Program Manager, 202-354-1413 and
Lonnie Lowe, Employee Development Officer-202-354-1487
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Clarifying who is authorized YARTS vouchers - Just a reminder that ONLY NPS
employees are authorized YARTS vouchers. The rider has to be a hired
employee. Interns and volunteers can not get vouchers. Also a reminder
that vouchers and bus passes are NOT transferable. When you sign for your
voucher you are certifying that you are 1) a federal employee; and 2) will
be using the pass for your daily commute to and/or from work and will not
transfer it to anyone else. Violations can make you liable for up to
$5,000 per violation, and/or agency disciplinary actions up to and
including dismissal. (S. Grin - 5/6/08)
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The Hetch Hetchy Day Use hours are 7:00 am to 9:00 pm. (C. Flores - 5/2/08)
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The Fire Management Office will be hosting a S-260 Incident Business
Management Class, May 29-30 from 0800-1700 at Cedar Lodge. Space is
limited. This class will enhance your knowledge and skills to better
provide incident support in the Finance, Planning, Operations and Logistics
Sections. If you provide support to fires or all-hazard incidents, you
should consider attending this class.
If you want to attend, please call or email me, no later than May 22. (D.
Mills - 5//6/08)
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Annual wildland fire refresher - A wildland fire refresher will be held on
May 30th at the Crane Flat Yosemite Institute from 930 to 1800. This
refresher is intended for Mather district personnel, but all are welcome.
Please bring your blue sheet (red card information sheet), line gear and
apparel for shelter deployment drills. Please call or email me to reserve
a spot, I have room for 25 people. (K. Krause - 5/5/08)
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Annual Wildland Fire Refresher Training
The Fire Management Office will be holding the following Annual Wildland
Fire Refresher Training Sessions. This training is required by all of
those employees that are "Red Carded" for fireline duties. If you need
this training, please try to make one of these sessions.
May 23 0800-1700 Cedar Lodge Contact Bernard
Spielman 379-1903
June 10 0800-1700 Valley Fire Station Contact Jeff
Panetta 375-9515
Please bring you're line gear. We are exchanging all shelters to the new
style with reinforced top.
PACK Testing will begin in May. More information will follow.
If you need further information contact Deron Mills 379-1902 or Bernard
Spielman 379-1903. (D. Mills - 4/23/08)
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PLEASE JOIN US IN BIDDING FAREWELL TO
Joella Domingues
Joella will be leaving us after 35 years of service. Please join us as we
celebrate and remember her career in Yosemite!
We will be at the East Auditorium in Yosemite Valley on May 15th from
12:00pm to 2:00pm.
There will be cake and coffee provided by the PCO Staff. Please bring your
favorite dessert or beverage to share, as we share our memories with each
other!!!
For more information you may contact Alan Hawksley at 379-1278 or Dan
Benitag at 372-0533. (T. Hawksley - 4/4/08)
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Reminder: For all Maintenance repair requests in Yosemite, please contact
the Customer Service Center. Maintenance repair requests include: Park
Housing, Buildings, Grounds, Utilities, Roads, Trails and Forestry issues.
It is especially important to remember to contact the Customer Service
Center before any requests for Sign Shop fabrications. You may do so by
phone, e-mail or fax.
Please note that the Customer Service Center staff phone numbers have
changed:
Phone:
Sunshine Good Morning................379-1065
Katie Brown........................................379-1058
E-Mail:
YOSE_FMD_Customer_Service_Center@nps.gov
Fax:
(209) 379-1066 (S. Goodmorning - 4/1/08)
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Leave Share Participants
Currently, YOSE leave share participants are:
Shari Baudoux
Kevin Bowman
Kimberly Cunningham-Summerfield
You can find leave share participants Servicewide on InsideNPS at:
http://insidenps.gov/index.cfm?handler=leaveshare
If you are interested in contributing annual leave, please do so by
completing a Request to Donate Annual Leave to Leave Recipient (Within
Agency) Under the Leave Transfer Program, OPM Form 630-A. A fillable PDF
version of the OPM 630-A may be found at:
http://opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/opm630a.pdf (T. Hawkins - 1/31/07)
HR Corner
DETAIL / TEMPORARY PROMOTION OPPORTUNITY
The Project Management Division, Environmental Planning and Compliance
Branch is offering an opportunity for a 120 day detail / temporary
promotion (if qualified) to Environmental Compliance Specialist, GS-09/11.
This opportunity will provide the opportunity to learn about the practices
and procedures used nationally by the NPS to conduct and facilitate
planning and compliance activities. The position would allow an employee to
gain experience in elements of both the National Environmental Policy Act
and the National Historic Preservation Act.
This opportunity is open to permanent career/career-conditional employees
of Yosemite National Park. This is an interdisciplinary position that can
be filled by: Geographer, GS-150, Ecologist, GS-0408 or Resource Management
Specialist, GS-0401.
If interested, please obtain your supervisor's approval, and submit a
resume to Irma Keheley, Human Resource Office, El Portal, no later than May
12, 2008. (I. Keheley - 4/30/08)
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Yosemite National Park
Current Vacancy Announcements
UPDATED: April 30, 2008
The following is a summary of current vacancy announcements at Yosemite
National Park. Most vacancy announcements will be posted on
http://www.usajobs.gov. This website is the Office of Personnel
Management's USAJOBS internet site. If you have any questions or cannot
find the announcement on USAJOBS, please call the Park’s Human Resources
Office at (209) 379-1805.
PERMANENT – GOVERNMENTWIDE ALL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES
Engineering Equipment Operator
Vacancy Ann.#: YP 173531DR
Who May Apply: Status Candidates
Pay Plan: WG-5716-08
Appointment Term: Permanent
Job Status: Full-Time
Opening Date: 4/28/2008
Closing Date: 5/19/2008 (H. Whitman - 5/1/08)
Community News
Lisa Domingues: Many of you may know Lisa, she has worked at the Yosemite
Valley day care for nearly 20-years. She is raising her 10-year old son
and currently lives in Midpines. Lisa was born and raised in Yosemite, has
many relatives and friends who love and appreciate her kind spirit,
gorgeous smile, and for taking excellent care of our children from diapers
through the grade school years. Lisa has recently been diagnosed with
terminal cancer (which has yet to slow her down or stop her from smiling).
She is, however, preparing for her son's future. A bank account has been
set up in her son's name at the Yosemite Bank in Mariposa. All donations
are appreciated and Lisa thanks you in advance for your kindness.
Donations can be made to: Chaska Colvin, Yosemite Bank Account number
#307005140. Contact Charity at the Yosemite Day care center for ways to
assist, 372-4819. (V. McMichael - 5/7/08)
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New Summer YARTS runs to start May 19, 2008
The 2008 summer schedules for YARTS have been published and are available
online. There are a number of changes on both the Hwy 140 schedule and theHwy 120 schedule that should be noted by NPS staff, whether using the
system to commute or answering questions for visitors.
On the Hwy 140 schedule, two round trip runs have been added. The new runs
should help relieve some of the capacity problems that YARTS has faced
since the rockslide detour opened. Run 2A is aimed to provide added
seating for workers going to El Portal with an 8 AM work-start time. It
should also provide some seats for those hearty early visitors. Run 5A
allows YARTS to move Run 5 back to an earlier departure time, like it was
before, and leave on time whether the Amtrak train in on time or not. 5A
should help deal with the late trains. Run 5 has been a problem, not only
with late trains, but also overcrowding.
Outbound, Run 9 is moved to an earlier departure to try to assure Amtrak
and Greyhound riders timely connections in Merced. With the connecting
riders on Run 9, the new 9A should provide better capacity for the
employees getting off at 4 PM. Run 12A is intended to give visitors and
employees a later stay in the park without having to wait for the last bus
at 8:20 PM.
On the Hwy 120 schedule, a new stop at the Mammoth Lakes Park and Ride on
Old Mammoth Road has been added and the stop at the Mammoth RV Park has
been eliminated. The Stop on Demand (SOD) stop at the Cathedral Trail Head
in Tuolumne Meadows has been eliminated in favor of hikers using the
Tuolumne Meadows shuttle. Crane Flat Gas Station is now SOD in both
directions.
The Hwy 140 schedule starts on May 19. You can view the new schedule at
www.yarts.com/schedule/2008/summer140.pdf. The Hwy 120 schedule will start
on June 1st, or as soon thereafter as the Tioga Pass Road is open for use.
You can view that schedule at www.yarts.com/schedule/2008/summer120.pdf.
(D. Whittington\W. Malone - 4/28/08)
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Attention High School Seniors
The Yosemite Scholarship Commission would like to announce the availability
of three schlarships for seniors graduating in June 2008. The Yosemite
Community Scholarships are sponsored by the Yosemite Employees Association,
the Yosemite Rotary Club, the Yosemite Lions Club, and the Yosemite Winter
Club. Two of the scholarships are for $2,000 over two years for attending a
four-year college or university. The third scholarship is $1,000 over two
years at a community college. In existence since 1934, the Yosemite
Scholarship Commission is supported by the Yosemite and El Portal
communities. Only one application is necessary to apply for all three
scholarships.
Students eligible for the scholarships are any high school graduating
senior whose parent or guardian is employed on a year round basis in
Yosemite National Park or the El Portal Administrative Site. Employment
must be for no less than six months per calendar year and for at least one
year prior to the time application is made. More than just an academic
scholarship, the following items are taken into account in making the
selection: scholastic ability, financial need, leadership ability,
community participation, and general apptitude. There is no particular
significance in the order nor does one qualification have any special
weight.
Further information and applications may be obtained from Mariposa County
High School, Yosemite High School, Tioga High School, or from Jan van
Wagtendonk, or Linda Eade. Applicants must attach a copy of their current
high school transcripts to their application and send the application and
the transcripts to the Yosemite Scholarship Commission at PO Box 313, El
Portal, CA 95318. Applications will be accepted until May 15, 2008.
Jan van Wagtendonk (209) 379-2668
Linda Eade (209) 372-0280 (L. Eade - 4/23/08)
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Evening of peace - SATURDAY, MAY 17th
Local group of citizens,
NEIGHBORS ACROSS BORDERS
Presents:
An evening to promote peace and healing.
Our Goal: to raise funds for medical assistance to war-injured Iraqi
children.
Dinner, Wine, Peace Poetry, Acoustic Music, Silent Auction, Kid's
Activities
Where: Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort; Bodie Room. Time: 6pm
Cost: $35/ticket (Kids 5 and under eat free)
A GREAT evening for a GREAT cause.
For Tickets, Contact: Jon Paul: 209-617-1945 or Amelia: abiagi@hotmail.com
(R. Tackaberry - 5/8/08)
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Do you know a high school student who is looking for something to do this
summer? The Yosemite Association is looking for student help consisting of
32-40 hours per week, with a starting pay of $8/hour DOE. Send an
application to Office Manager, Yosemite Association, P.O. Box 230, El
Portal, CA 95318, or by email to cking@yosemite.org. Request an
application by phone at 379-2646, or on our website at
www.yosemite.org/aboutya/yajobs. (C.King, 5/08/08)
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Need some extra cash? The Yosemite Association is looking for an outside
contractor to clean the Art and Education Center once a week on Sundays
between 10:00am and 3:00pm. The job shouldn’t take more than an hour, and
we will pay $30 per cleaning. Please contact Carolyn King, Administrative
Coordinator, for information at 379-2646. (C.King – YA, 04/30/08)
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Do you like working with people? Do you possess exceptional customer
service skills? The Yosemite Association needs you! We are now hiring for
seasonal Sales Information Assistants for work in Yosemite Valley from May
thru October. Duties include retail sales, store maintenance, and
information assistance. At least one year of related experience, and a H.S.
diploma required. Some college preferred. Candidates must have excellent
customer service skills, be able to work flexible hours, and be able to
work both independently and with a team. Valid CA Driver’s license
required. Strong computer skills essential. Knowledge of and interest in
Yosemite National Park preferred. Salary range is $9.00 to $13.00 DOE. Send
a resume and application to Administrative Coordinator, Yosemite
Association, PO Box 230, El Portal, CA 95318, or by email to
cking@yosemite.org. Request an application by phone at (209) 379-2646, or
on our website at www.yosemite.org/aboutya/yajobs.htm. (C. King- 4/23/08)
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Rental: available now, 1 bdr. trailer for 1 person. Bootjack area.
$370./month Call Autrey: 966-3231 (4/28/08)
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Room for rent in downtown Mariposa. Two bedroom and one bath apartment
with large kitchen and living room; shared washer and dryer; lots and lots
of storage; empty bedroom needs to be furnished; remainder of the house is
furnished; 25 y/o professional single male looking for a male or female
roommate of comparable age. Outside smoking ok. Great views of town and
two blocks from YARTS. This apartment is being rented through a property
management company in Mariposa, so a credit check, security deposit and
month-to-month lease will be required by them. $400 per month includes all
utilities and cable. Contact Brandon at off2tahoe@gmail.com for more
information.(B. Sanders - 5/9/08)
Acting Designation
Gretchen Stromberg will be Acting Chief of Planning for Linda Dahl for the
week of May 12-16. Gretchen can be reached at 379-1006. (C. Geis - 5/12/08)
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Sueann Brown (379-1222) will be acting Branch Chief for History,
Architecture & Landscapes from May 12th through May 16th; Bret Meldrum will
be acting May 19th and 20th. (D. Humphrey - 5/12/08)
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Starting Monday, May 12th, Marshall "Glen" Taylor will be acting Sign Shop
Supervisor until further notice. He can be reached @ 379-1286 or email:
marshall_taylor@nps.gov.
Thanks to Erin Anders for holding down the Sign Shop fort for the last four
months. (B.Benitag 5/8/08)
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HR Specialist Charlotte Randolph will be out of the park from May 2 through
May 19, 2008. If you have any employee relations, classification, or
employee development issues or questions, please contact Heather Whitman
in her absence. (H. Whitman - 5/2/08)
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For the month of May, Mike and Kevin have asked me to backfill for Kevin
while he is on leave. I will continue my duties as AO from the Valley and
you can contact me there as needed. However, there will be times when I
may not be available to address some issues in Admin. During those times
please feel free to contact the following administration branch chiefs for
assistance. They have authority to make decisions and adjust
administration resources to meet your needs when I'm not available.
May 12th - 15th Dan Sohn 379-1173
May 18th - 22nd Lorene Schafer 379-1873
May 26th - 30th Skip Sheets 379-1195 (L. Harris - 5/1/08)
