Some National Park Service Employees Struggling To Get By Without Salary

Ten months of mental anguish over their careers, now compounded by going without pay, has left some National Park Service employees struggling financially to get by but nevertheless committed to their jobs.

"As you can imagine, for the past 10 months with non-stop attacks on NPS employees and an ever-lasting shutdown, the constant bombarding of being fired, riffed, downsized, falsely being accused of contributing to fraud, waste and abuse by the very people who they serve has taken a serious toll on the mental and physical health of employees," one park ranger told the National Parks Traveler.

"NPS employees do not get into this field for money, but for the love of parks, outdoor space, and most important the mission; preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. In fact, they take an oath to uphold the mission; something which is taken seriously and with honor," added the interpretive ranger, who asked for anonymity out of concern for their position.

Park Service employees have been targeted by the Trump administration almost from day one when President Donald Trump started his second term in office. Initially the administration blocked seasonal hiring for the parks, a decision that later was lifted. But the administration's efforts to cut the federal workforce through firings and incentives to retire has cost the Park Service roughly a quarter of its full-time workforce.

While job postings for seasonal jobs this coming winter in the park system have been expected to be posted Monday, with the government shutdown that probably won't happen.

"Unless the government opens up before then, the jobs won’t be posted," was the reply to a post on a Reddit page for rangers concerning the seasonal job postings. "I’d say just have your 2-page resume ready to go for whenever it does open and they do get posted."

Another commenter painted a darker picture for those hoping to snag a seasonal position.

"Interior is cutting about 12,000 jobs. I would try to find something with another department and in administration if you have that background. Conservation jobs seem to be on the chopping block," they wrote.

The National Parks Traveler Is Interested In Hearing From National Park Service Employees Impacted By The Government Shutdown

Reach Editor Kurt Repanshek at [email protected] or via Signal at ParksTraveler.52

With most of those who have stayed with the Park Service furloughed since the divided Congress failed to come to terms on a federal budget for the fiscal year that started October 1 — and others told to keep working without pay — the loss of paychecks has compounded the stress they've grappled with, well aware that another round of firings is possible.

"With this shutdown, it has shown that these same employees are determined and dedicated to not only the mission but to the public they serve," the ranger added. "They are working without pay, trying to keep things 'as normal as possible' while many of their lives are changing at a rapid rate.  A career that once was sought after and fought for, has now become an unwelcome burden.  In less than a year, NPS employees are now unable to support their growing families with a minimal salary. These families are now struggling to put food on the table, pay bills and get the help they need." 

While some rangers with families have had to file for unemployment benefits, food stamps, and other federal assistance programs to get by, on the near horizon is the prospect that some of those programs will be downsized or eliminated.

"As these employees get displaced from their careers, it is not as easy as saying 'get another job.'  Many have a very specific skill set, that is utilized and enhanced working for the National Park Service," the ranger said. "These individuals have worked to be successful in their field for a lifetime. To have their hard work and dedication to the mission be under attack is heartless and inhumane."