President Trump on Monday put a freeze on federal government hiring, an action that could have wide-ranging impacts for the National Park Service as it moves to hire thousands of seasonal rangers and other employees for the upcoming summer.
Beyond seasonal positions, there are many vacancies involving permanent positions that parks are trying to fill. Then, too, there are personnel who have been offered permanent jobs but haven't begun working and are wondering how the hiring freeze will impact them.
At the National Parks Conservation Association, President and CEO Theresa Pierno said the hiring freeze would adversely affect the National Park System.
“Protecting our national parks requires the dedicated efforts of tens of thousands of rangers and other Park Service employees every day, but much of their staffs are edging closer to retirement. Parks already have 10 percent fewer rangers and other staff compared to a few years ago," said Theresa Pierno in a prepared statement. "They cannot continue to be hampered by low staffing, and that’s exactly what will happen with this hiring freeze.
"Park rangers are already forced to do more with less because they don’t have enough staff to handle record-breaking crowds. If Congress and the administration don’t work together to better staff our parks, this will only make it harder for those remaining park staff to care for and manage America’s favorite places.”
Traveler has reached out to Park Service officials for their interpretation of the scope of the hiring freeze and will update the story when possible.
Comments
I put my life on the line every year to protect our national parks. Ive spent years getting specialized training and building a deep understanding of your forests. Am I a snowlfake beachdump, can administrative staff go do my work?
Our country was a much different place before our forefathers enacted that brilliance. The size and needs of the country were far different than they are now. Being that you're in a forum for National Parks, it seems obvious to me that you understand the needs of these government funded lands and that they need people to continue to work and service them. The modern world isn't a flat world, meaning that issues are much larger now than they were in our country's founding- we need a government that can represent, protect and service those needs, not one that shrinks at the challenges ahead. I, for one, do not mind in the least to pay higher taxes if it means I have clean air and water to help me and my fellow citizens be healthier, parks and nature to enjoy, quality schools so that our employment rate is higher and crime rates lower, and healthcare to keep everyone healthy and working.
When I travel abroad, I enjoy that country's parks and services- why shouldn't visitors to ours? It promotes business and enjoyment, not only for the park but good travel experiences promoted travel business as well. It seems silly and not-lucrative to exclude anyone when the future impacts could benefit an entire community.
Thank you for what you do- I enjoy our parks and everything they provide, secondary, tertiary, and other effects included and I know that we wouldn't have those benefits without what you do.
Number of federal employees has barely increased and the percentage of total employment (reflecting the comparison to non-federal jobs) has actually decreased to a level not illustrated since Eisenhower days. Important to have real statistics and not false perceptions.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38726982
One commenter hit the nail on the head, you can look at entitlements in two ways: handouts given to the undeserving, or essential structures we have all come to depend on in our daily lives. The current administration is aiming at the former but will inevitably hit the latter.
Also, literally laughing at wanting a return to the country of our founding fathers on a website dedicated to the National Parks.
Wow - beachdump, you must have gotten a copy of the party talking points in hand to include that many buzz word phrases in one silly little post.
Take a look at the posts following yours by the firefighters and others, and then go look in the mirror. If you can.
Rick B., you cannot impeach a president for reasons of rude and even crass language or behavior. Of what are you afraid?