National Park Service: Wind Cave National Park Trail Crews Maintenance Grant

Funding Opportunity Number: FY2014-WICA-PLC-0004
Park: Wind Cave National Park,
26611 U. S. Hwy 385
Hot Springs, SD 57747
Project title: 2014 PLC Trail Crews Maintenance
Proposed Project Date: First Crew 06/09/2014
Second Crew 07/14/2014
Estimated funding available: $22,500 each crew: total $45,000
Number of Positions Available: 2 (two) crews
(Each crew consisting of six crew members and two crew leaders)

Summary:
Wind Cave National Park seeks two crews of high school and college-aged individuals (ages 16 – 25) and other qualified persons to volunteer their services in exchange for training and education experiences in resource management and conservation programs. Park staff will work with crews providing work, education, and training opportunities for young adults through collaborative participation focusing on the maintenance and construction of a thirty plus mile trail system through the park. This will be accomplished by hiring two crews each consisting of two (2) trail crew leaders and six (6) trail crew members that will perform the following duties for approximately 21 days (three weeks) – one crew starting work June 9, 2014 and the second crew July 14, 2014.

Crews will be required to camp. Three different camping locations are offered in the Park with safety being the parks number one concern. If weather permits, crews may camp in backcountry areas, Elk Mountain campground or at an additional camp site located near the VIP. The VIP area campsite allows crews to cook, shower and access shelter when or if the need arises.
Crews need to provide all transportation to and from the Park as well as while working in the Park, crew meals, camping gear, and safety equipment such as: hearing and eye protection, gloves, hard hats, sun block, first aid kits, bug repellant, poison ivy repellent, etc.).

Background:
Wind Cave National Park is located in the southern Black Hills of southwest South Dakota. Climate extremes range from sub-zero temperatures during winter to over 100 degrees during summer. Medical and dental services, schools K-12, shopping, and churches of most faiths are available in Hot Springs (12 miles) and Custer (20 miles). Housing for rent or purchase is available in Hot Springs and Custer. Rapid City, SD (pop:60,000) is one hour north of Hot Springs and has a full range of services available. For more information about the Park visit our website: www.nps.gov/WICA

Possible Projects and Work Activities for 2014:
• Install wooden posts and trail markers along designated trail routes
• Repair trail tread erosion
• Install stone and log water bars to prevent continued erosion of trail tread
• Remove dead and down trees from trails
• Trim and cut trees, brush and other vegetation encroaching on trails
• Reconstruct or construct foot path bridges
• When weather conditions limit backcountry work, crews may be assigned work removing noxious weeds.

Most daily contacts are with park staff; occasional contacts are made with the general public while working on trails. Park staff contact is made to facilitate effective park operations, provide safety training, supplies, and education thus enhancing a meaningful and enjoyable crew visit to the park while providing a positive visitor service. This work is physically demanding requiring long periods of standing, walking/hiking and lifting moderately heavy items while working in weather extremes which have the potential to become serious weather events. Crew members should be in good physical condition. Work is performed outdoors in mountainous and high prairie terrain. Crews will need to pack equipment, meals and water over long distances to reach work sites. Work on weekends and holidays may be required. Team members may encounter large wildlife such as bison, mountain lion, elk and deer. Members may also encounter hazardous plants and wildlife like poison ivy, rattlesnakes and fleas. Prior to commencing work park staff will educate supervisors and their crews on backcountry procedures and hazards.

Skills desired:
Physical Skills – agility, stamina, flexibility, coordination, cardiovascular endurance
Mental Skills- self-motivation, positive attitude, team player, respect, confidence.

Educational background desired:
Resource Management – some coursework or experience
American History – some coursework or experience
Natural History – some coursework or experience
Writing/Publishing – some coursework or experience
Communications – some coursework or experience

Materials Requested for Statement of Information/Qualifications:
Interested organizations should submit a Statement of Information (three-page maximum) including a summary of how you would implement and manage this project in conjunction with NPS staff. Include your name, organization, and contact information, a brief description of the organization and mission, as well as a description of relevant qualifications and experience with recruiting and placement of youth trail crews, past projects, and staff, faculty, or students who would be available to work on the project. Include a bid in addition to the Statement of Information. The Statement of Information and bid will be reviewed by the NPS in order determine the organization best suited to provide services for this specific project. Submit electronic Statement of Information to julie_hendricks@nps.gov by 5:00 CST on Friday, March 21, 2014, as well as any questions you may have concerning the project.
Note: This Request for Information seeks responses from organizations qualified to provide individual and/or crews of youth and young adults for internship opportunities with the National Park Service that provide environmental stewardship and service-learning opportunities through conservation, natural resource management, and emergency response work. Individuals interested in serving as an intern or crew member should contact the park directly. For general information on Youth Program opportunities visit: http://www.nps.gov/gettinginvolved/youthprograms/index.htm