An investigation has found that National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis intentionally skirted the Interior Department's Ethics Office to write a book, a Guidebook to American Values and Our National Parks, for a cooperating association contractually tied to the Park Service, an action that brought the director an official reprimand from top Interior Department officials, who also removed him from any dealings with the Park Service's ethics office for the rest of his career as director.
Furthermore, Deputy Interior Secretary Michael Connor ordered Director Jarvis to receive monthly ethics training for the rest of his tenure.
"I am also concerned about the attitude the (investigation) demonstrates Director Jarvis exhibited toward important Departmental institutions such as the Ethics Office, the Office of the Solicitor, and the Office of the Secretary," Deputy Secretary Connor wrote in a letter (attached below) to Mary L. Kendall, deputy inspector general for the department.
In a short statement Thursday evening the director said, "I regret that I did not seek guidance on the most appropriate path forward to publish this book. I wrote the book to inspire and engage more Americans in our national parks, particularly during the National Park Service's centennial year. I consider it a good lesson learned and will ask for guidance if and when similar situations arise in the future."
Interior's Office of Inspector General began looking into the matter last June after being alerted to the book published by Eastern National, a cooperating association that has been working with national parks for 50 years At issue was "whether Jarvis used his public office for private gain by seeking a book deal with Eastern National and whether he misused any U.S. Government resources in the process."
Ethics Office guidelines specifically state that government employees who want to do outside work with any business or organization seeking to do business with the Interior Department must first gain approval from the Ethics Office, regardless of whether there's payment involved. Additionally, an attorney in the Ethics Office said "that even if Jarvis was not personally receiving money from the sale of the book, having his name associated with it could create the appearance that he was using his official position for personal gain."
The investigation also showed that Director Jarvis approached Eastern National with the idea, but that he had told Interior Secretary Jewell that Eastern National had asked him to write the book. It also showed that Eastern National Chief Executive Officer George Minnucci, after discussing the project on the phone with the director, later wrote him an email worded as if the idea was his. In his interview with OIG staff, Mr. Minnucci said Director Jarvis had not asked him to word his email in such a way, but rather he did so because "he wanted his staff to think the book was his idea and that it was 'a CEO decision.'”
The OIG report (attached below) stated that Director Jarvis said he "did not consult with the Ethics Office on the book because doing so would have taken too long, and with NPS’ centennial approaching, the book would be 'really powerful.'”
"Jarvis explained that he was frustrated with the Ethics Office for not being able to approve 'very, very simple things,'" the report stated. "As an example, he explained that a thank-you letter to a donor from him and the Foundation took 6 weeks for the office to approve, which led him to believe that approving the book was going to be a problem."
In one interview with investigators, Director Jarvis said he wasn't afraid of taking chances, such as failing to clear the project with the Ethics Office.
I think I knew going into this there was a certain amount of risk. I’ve never been afraid of a risk. . . . I’ve gotten my ass in trouble many, many, many times in the Park Service by . . . not necessarily getting permission . . . I’ve always pushed the envelope. . . . And I felt that this values analysis . . . could be a very, very powerful tool to not only connect to the next generation but to resonate across political spectrums.
“And from my view, from my experience, in the ethics world, having been an SES [Senior Executive Service employee] for almost a decade, I did not feel like I was violating any ethics issues because I set this up [with] no personal benefit, nothing gained for me personally," he continued. "What I was trying to prevent is having it edited."
While Director Jarvis did not seek to be paid for the book, and directed that any royalties go to the National Park Foundation, there was concern among some Interior officials that he retained the copyright to the title and allowed the use of the Park Service arrowhead logo on the cover and his title as Park Service director in places, "giving the appearance of Government endorsement."
In the end, it doesn't appear as if there will be any royalties for anyone. Eastern National officials told OIG investigators that while it had cost them $11,000-$12,000 to print the $7.95 book, they had only sold a little more than 200 copies and they didn't expect to make their investment back.
The investigation determined that Director Jarvis used his government iPad to write the manuscript; while he claimed to have worked on it outside office hours, the investigation determined that "it appears" there were at least nine occasions when Director Jarvis worked on it or corresponded with Eastern National officials concerning the book "on weekdays when he was not on leave and Government offices were open."
Story Categories:
A copy of National Parks Traveler's financial statements may be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: National Parks Traveler, P.O. Box 980452, Park City, Utah 84098. National Parks Traveler was formed in the state of Utah for the purpose of informing and educating about national parks and protected areas.
Residents of the following states may obtain a copy of our financial and additional information as stated below:
- Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELER, (REGISTRATION NO. CH 51659), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 800-435-7352 OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
- Georgia: A full and fair description of the programs and financial statement summary of National Parks Traveler is available upon request at the office and phone number indicated above.
- Maryland: Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401 (410-974-5534).
- North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 888-830-4989 or 919-807-2214. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
- Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of National Parks Traveler may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling 800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
- Virginia: Financial statements are available from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
- Washington: National Parks Traveler is registered with Washington State’s Charities Program as required by law and additional information is available by calling 800-332-4483 or visiting www.sos.wa.gov/charities, or on file at Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State, State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504.
National parks and their natural resources belong to you. The National Parks Traveler works to ensure you know how these essential places are being cared for.
Sign Up For Our Weekly Newsletter
Unsubscribe at any time.
INN Member
The easiest way to explore RV-friendly National Park campgrounds.
Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs.
Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks.
You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks, tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer, and useful planning suggestions.
Comments
My father used to tell me that a person of strong character understands that they may be punished for doing right, if others don't want right done. Director Jarvis is a man of strong character. We need more like him in government, but these kinds of things are driving good people out of government.
I am not sure I agree with the NPS Director on this issue. Following the approved ethical guidelines of an agency is extremely important, more so at the top management levels. It not only sets the standards of conduct in the work place, but gives confidence to both employees and the citizens that things are being done by the rules all must follow. I know it often times is frustrating to public service officials, something they think something important is being stonewalled, or at least that maybe the impression, but without these rules there is chaos. I agree that others have done far worse, particularly in the political arena, but that is no excuse. No, I am with the ethics office on this one.
You're right, sir. The big issue isn't him writing a book. As with Nixon, the issue is the cover-up, of trying to hide facts and being less than candid about it. Not to mention the misuse of government equipment and government time. Very tough to explain the rules to a new seasonal employee, then have them see this. Tougher, still, to fire an employee for doing the same thing the Director did. I don't care about the book, I care about bending the rules. And of course, the next question has to be -- so, you broke the rules on this, and tried to be sneaky on this, what else have you been hiding? Where else did you break the rules?
Do people of strong character lie to cover up their behavior or deliberately skirt the rules?
Following the rules is driving folks out of government??? Blatant disregard for ethics and policy is what drives folks out - they need to be shown the door. If you or I did this, we would be let go immediately but since SES Jarvis did it - no repercussions at all.
It was a lapse of judgment and in the hustle and bustle of everyday work, sometimes the rules tend to be overlooked. Strong character, probably, but common sense? I wonder if none of his subordinates didn't call this to his attention. I am not sure he's being driven out of government. And as to being punished for doing right--well, I'd take that chance. At least I could sleep on that.
I disagree. The Director is fully aware because of his position of the legal requirements, and admittedly skirted them because he thought they would take too long to get approval. He also lied about it being his idea, and lied about using the govt. computer to write it. He should be removed from office..... Had this been someone of lesser status in the organization, they would have been much more severely reprimanded and punished. This was a proverbial slap on the hands that makes the public laugh, and employees shake their heads in disbelief. It's sort of on the same line as Hillary not realizing she shouldn't use a private computer server for official government emails. Anyone who has been employeed by the federal government has had the training to know otherwise. Shame on Jarvis..... what a disgrace~
Elected officials have done far worse and received nothing but a slap on the hand. So Director Jarvis wrote a book about the National Park System, whoopie.
A letter of reprimand is a slap on the hand. It results in no loss of pay and it expires after two years. Plenty of NPS rank and file employees have received far more formal discipline for far less. He should be held at the highest standard, but it doesn't seem to work that way. And Senior Leaders wonder why their employees score them low on employee viewpoint surveys. I'm disgusted by this.
A failure of leadership - plain and simple. Position without performance. How can any leader serve the organization as a model for ethical behavior, then advocate breaking the rules of the organization when the outcome is simply important to him? Leadership is founded in ethical credibilty. Although this issue may appear minor, it should be examined as part of a larger pattern of both individual failings and justifications, as well as, a pattern of repeated organizational scandal, intentional waste, fraud and abuse and a massive abuse of power. Remember, it is under this man's leadership that his own employees have expressed a constantly decending level of confidence in its leadership. In short, it is a scandal to have this man leading this great organization during its centennial.
but very disappointed in the lack of leadership this shows. Shameful.
If the government was funding our NPS correctly then maybe he wouldn't have did what he did for the benefit of the NPS. Maybe he would have done this for his own benefit? What he did was wrong but what our Government does is worse!
A serious "ethics" issue warranting an Office of Inspector General investigation? Get real. This is a silly, inane story about a silly, inane issue based upon silly inane charges. How many taxdollars were wasted on this fool's errand. Come on, NP Traveler: Do some real investigative journalism about real Park Service issues.
Hi Todd, great to see your passion still burns.... albeit for a good cause. Ole Ben Sherman has moved on to head the World Indigenous Tourism Alliance and making great strides in addressing concerns of indigenous peoples around the world through the venue of tourism. Hope your doing well and will always remember our venture in the Southern Quadrant of the Bad Lands as a truly sginature experience. Take care and hoping all is well with you and yours. Sid
If this was Wisconsin he would be running the ethics board.
I totally understand what he did and why. It's a good book and a positive heartfelt action by a dedicated man. I wouldn't have retired if there were more senior staff like Director Jarvis
Rock on Jon J! Perfect balance of pushbace against inane internal controls that only create taxpayer jobs for bureauocrats, and a dedication to fufill the NPS mission. Your decision process is exactly why you were the perfect choice for the NPS Director.
Time for JJ to take a hike.
Mr. Jarvis should have been gone a long time ago....he is selling out the park service every day! He is in bed with so many corporations who are taking advantage of our national treasures....he is giving away lands that should be protected and preserved....he is placing superintendents in parks that are opening up protected lands and protected fauna and flora to be used and abused.....so this ethics violation is par for the course....bye Mr. Jarvis! You should be ashamed to say you are the guardian of our national treasures
This is another example of senior leaders who think that they are above the rules. It is also another example of an attitude in the agency that the end justifies the means, if you are serving "the mission", promoting the Centennial, whatever the buzz word is, it does not matter if you violate rules and policy. At the end of the day these leaders care only about themselves, their reputations and careers, and protecting their legacies.
Take for example the sexual harassment issues at the Grand Canyon, where none of the senior leadership has been held accountable for ignoring a culture of harassment, then attacking, blaming and shaming the victims who reported it in an effort protect their own careers. These are friends and associates of Jarvis, who he has protected and will continue to protect.
AGREED!
Waste of tax payer time and dollars. I have a friend who wrote a children's book about bees that cross-pollinate on their free time at home but the bank they worked at, PNC Bank, insisted the bank owned the book rights and deserved royalties because under their employment terms any employee who creates anything, even if it has nothing to do with banking, while under employment, becomes the property of the bank. The bank teller fought their employer on it but the bank ultimately won out and got to own the rights to the children's book. Two weeks later they left because the bank discovered they were bee keepers and sold honey off the side of the road in the same manner as the local farmers selling eggs and produce. The bank wanted all the profits of the honey sales even though they were selling honey years before they got the part time job at the bank. They are still fighting the issue. Sad.
"What a crock. The Director of the Park Service is awash in both the appearance and the actuality of conflicts [of interest] – and he knows it.":
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&add....
http://ethicsalarms.com/2011/10/07/hmmmm-conflicts-of-interest-appearanc...
http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com/2011/10/national-park-superintenden...
Politics as usual. As a retired ranger with 30 Yeats I have witnesses the service align itself with the rest of the government bureaucrats. No one is allowed to make a decision, Everything is layered with political decisions. Superintendents rarely speak to the media or with the public without their PIO, PUBLIC IN FORMATI ON OFFICE preparing a scripted and rehearsed speech. Employees can't communicate with upper managers.Years past these managers had a personal relationship with the employees and we're allowed to get the job done. So the guy wrote a book. Bureaucrats scared he may have told the truth to sway public opinion. Big Tadoo about nothing but more big government out of control.
People defending this man's behavior are ridiculous. He brome the rules and then lied. His punishment was appropriate, perhaps even too light. We can't pick and choose which rules we enforce. That is called abuse of power. Note, in 2009 Director Jarvis jrges NPS to always be ethical and his book was on American Values and the parks. Happy Centennial, NPS. Your director ks a disgrace. http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com/2009/11/national-park-service-direc...
It's too bad a man who dedicated his life to public service gets a slap on the hand for something so minor so late in his career. I am sure he had something he thought was important to say in support of our National Parks, and that's why he wrote the book. Good form him!
This is not minor. Federal employees are required to obey a standard of ethics because they serve the public trust. Not their agency, not a specific park, not a cause, not a celebration. The public trust. Serving the public trust includes following rules put in place for the purpose of protecting the integrity of service to the public trust. They accept that responsibility when taking their oaths of office. Ignoring the ethics standards and trying to cover it up shows dishonesty and lack of integrety.
I've been in this organization for almost twenty years, now a manager. Though I'm disappointed in this situation I can state unequivocally that our office of ethics is broken to the point that the sclerosis and hypersensitivity is doing serious damage. Our Solicitor and their field offices - though often more reasonable and open to common sense - is overworked to the point of causing similar resultsz When you become overly bureaucratic to the point of silliness then good people will seek alternatives just to avoid you.
Director Jarvis is no more the crimminal than any other NPS employee who tries to find a way to serve the resources and people they are committed to serve. No doubt there was someone near him who has an axe to grind and found a way to get him. In today's political environment and social norms employees looking for ways to hurt those in leadership will file formal complaints and charges when they don't agree with a manager's decisions. There is little left of respect for the person, their knowledge, skills and devotion. Jarvis has devoted over 40 years of his life to the NPS and we must believe his intentions were and continue to be the very best for the NPS. Three cheers for this man who is NPS tried and true!
My father used to tell me that a person of unethical character understands that they can simply claim, if punished, that they were "doing right" as they toss everyone in their way off the career ladder, promote only cronies, line their pockets, suck up to "certain" political administrations as a complete political lackey, and bury any Law Enforcement investigative reports (except th eone he could not; the one on him) during their tenures to appear as the "perfect" Director - especially when others really want to do what is "right".
I honestly cannot believe that this issue is taking time and tax dollars. You can say bad things about everyone. Jon Jarvis is a good person and loyal servant to our national park system. Any NPS employee who moves things forward will tell you that the only way to do so is to work outside the rules. If there was an Amazon link, I would buy this book as s show of support. He used his government iPad! Big whoop.
A couple of things...
1-Yes, the NPS Ethics Office is a complete joke and they really do suck at their job. Dealing with them is not fun at all and they really do not understand their job. However, Jarvis is the Director of the agency. He probably has some ability to make it a better office rather than going around them because they took so long to approve a letter going out to a donor.
2-Jarvis of all people should not write a book trying to recruit/inspire, whatever. He has destroyed this agency. Look at the employee viewpoint survey. His leadership sucks, and it shows. So it is no surprise his book has only sold a couple hundred copies. I'm sure he purchased 100 or so and they are sitting in his house.
For those that think what he did was ok. That is BS. Just because you are the head of the agency it doesn't mean you are excluded from the policies.
I am troubled by Director Jarvis' attitude towards his obligations under ethics requirements that he is well aware of. If complying with these are inconvenient to him, that does not absolve him of his responsibility to set an example of leadership. This is not the most serious ethics accusation that has been made against him, but seems to be consistent with a pattern of questionable behavior by the Director, including cronyism and cover-ups of misconduct allegations by high NPS officials. For instance, he once formally reprimanded the former Superintendent of Mt. Rainier for selling his house to the Park's climbing concessionaire, at 3 times its assessed value. This action at the least gave the impression of impropriety, and some have called it a bribe. Jarvis later promoted this same individual, reportedly a close personal friend, to Supt. of Grand Canyon National Park, which has a much larger and diverse concessions program. Personally, I think Director Jarvis should have been sacked years ago. Assigning him to more ethics training, which to this point has hardly taken hold, is a joke.
Rules are rules for good reason. I see no excuse here and I'm not buying the rationalization. I think that Secretary Jewell should demand his resignation. So, taking from Mr. Jarvis' logic, I, as an employee of NPS can do as I wish as long as 'I' think it is right? Ok, got it now...
Totally agree... he should be gone
Why wasn't he fired immediately for this intentional violation of his employer's code of conduct?
I think those of you who are defending NPS Director Jarvis, by dismissing this book incident as "Trivial", are missing the point. Director Jarvis has given NPS employees admonishment about his ethics expectations of them on many occasions, and he has failed his own test. He not only violated the ethics regulations he has instructed his subordinates to obey, but appears to have been (at least) less than candid with OIG investigators. This isn't about anything trivial, it is about leadership and the consistent treatment of employees.
I have observed for decades how lower-graded employees are often subjected to harsh discipline for minor misconduct, sometimes for non-performance reasons, while managers who are in the "Club" either benefit from cover-up or are given light gloves treatment. Rather than citing more examples, I would rest my case that Director Jarvis' leadership has been, at best, ineffective with one reference. This is the annual, comprehensive survey "The Best Places to Work in the Federal Government". The NPS in recent years has rated in the lower 1/3 of federal agencies in employee morale, which has dropped further during Jarvis' tenure. It is currently 259 our of 320 "Sub-agencies" rated. For this and other reasons, I agree with other posters that somebody else should be leading the National Park Service during its centennial celebration.
Sorry for this typo; I meant "sub-components", not sub-agencies in my previous post.
Maybe you all should have a talk with Hillary....
I have had disagreements with Director Jarvis, particularly re: the developments of Katmai's Brooks River, but I have never questioned his dedication to the National Park Service. This story is sad for all concerned, particularly for Jon.
i have to side with Jarvis on this. Too much stupidity in the red tape and risk of meddling/editing.
Leadership is doing the right thing, advocating for resources for your organization, and breaking some rules if they interfere with moving forward. We need fewer “yes-men” in government, fewer people who just toe the party line and keep their noses down. The National Park Services needs creative thinkers, educators and advocates who can inform the public of the greatest asset this country has – our national parks – and we need someone to talk about the disservice that occurs daily in the lack of a reasonable budget for the parks. Go Jarvis!
Seems a bit harsh for what appears to be a positive effort on the part of the Directior. It will, however, probably increase his book sales as I know I want to read his book after this controversy.
When I, as a humble and sporadic seasonal interpretive ranger was about to publish abook about the NPS: "Treasures On Your Doorstep, I had to go through the hoops of consulting my (temporary) park's ethics advisor, and being very careful about explaining my associationw ith the NPS. so I really think it's only right that Director Jarvis should stick to the rules.
I am greatly disappointed in his response to the IG and his efforts to involve others to cover-up his actions. Had this been one of the last two directors (both women) - I doubt they would have survived misleading the Secretary of Interior. One more example of an entrenched good ol' boy club. People can have the best of intentions can be blind to their own predjudices. By his own actions - he has shown not blindness but an arrogance not worthy of his position. He should bow out.
I support Jon Jarvis. The negative comments are from people who had other axes to grind.
Oh, how the worm has turned. Those who are above having to clear their backroom dealings with the lower echelon peons. Jarvis is and has been a crook. His scandals are well documented and all you NPS kool aid drinkers need to take note. His brother lobbied the NPS on behalf of river operators and he didn't think that was a scandal. He railroaded Ranger Danno, ran out the Indian trader and now has been documented padding visitation numbers to increase his funding. A lie is a lie, no matter who tells it.
This comment was edited to remove gratuitous language. Also, Jon Jarvis was not director when the Hubbell Trading Post matter arose, nor when Rob Danno's problems with the Park Service arose. Finally, we're not sure how padding visitation numbers, if that occurred, could directly increase funding. Beyond that, NPS visitation numbers are notoriously soft. -- Ed.
Jarvis was a regional director of the NPS and thus in upper echelon positions and fully part of the cabal prior to his confirmation in 09. He didn't just "ascend" to the NPS directorship on Obama wings. And the comments on this forum through the past years from retired NPS folks has indicated as much.
Director Jarvis has failed in his leadership responsibilities and this fact is reflected in how he consistently fails to model effective leadership conduct and intentionally violates the rules of his own organization. Good leaders never brag about intentionally violating policy, to the contrary, they use their challenges to demonstrate their leadership commitment to excellence and productivity, while succeeding at difficult tasks. They set high standards and raise the bar. They use these high standards to fuel high performance and create an organizational culture of integrity, competence and character.
For those of you who have either failed to notice or have not keep a handle on the repeated scandals in the NPS during the Jarvis years, take a quick look and try to understand the larger pattern which is at issue:
1) Stalled / Impeded media FOIA requests, for years, regarding the Mt. Rainer concessionaire who bought his Asst. Superintendent, David Uberuaga's personal home for a grossly inflated price, then tried to cover it up. Park whistle blowers disclosed the conflict of interest and malfeasance.
2) Promoted David Uberuaga to the Superintendent of Grand Canyon, managing a park with massive concession issues, after the above mentioned issue was confirmed by the DOI Inspector General.
3) Derailed Grand Canyon plan to eliminate plastic water bottles from the park when he received complaints from Coca Cola. Director Jarvis denied this and cited safety concerns, but PEER exposed his false statements through documents received through a FOIA request. Director Jarvis had to reverse his decision and allow the park to exclude water bottles.
4) Director Jarvis did nothing when it was discovered through an OIG investigation that Gettysburg Superintendent, John Latschar had used his government computer to view, download and store massive amounts of porn on his government computer. A whistle blower disclosed this fact to the Washington Post, embarrassing Director Jarvis and exposing the workings of the "Superintendents Club." Director Jarvis then had to reassign Latschar to another park service unit, maintaining another example of a clear Superintendent double standard, and he only took the action after the case was disclosed to the public.
5) Initiated and maintained an unethical case against Indian Trader, Billy Malone, even after it was confirmed through both NPS and DOI OIG investigation that the NPS conducted a bad faith investigation. The NPS is still fighting Mr. Malone and has still not made this right.
6) Maintained the unethical case against the Chief of the United States Park Police, Teresa Chambers until MSPB ordered the NPS to reinstate her and pay her over two million dollars of back pay, citing agency reprisal for her whistle blowing. Even after the MSPB order, the NPS fought against Chief Chambers reinstatement.
7) Maintained the unethical case against Chief Ranger Rob Danno, who blew the whistle on Superintendent, Kevin Brandt and past Director, Mainella for authorizing the unlawful tree cutting along the C&O Canal by billionaire owner of the Washington Redskins, Dan Snyder. The NPS settled due to the involvement of the Office of Special Counsel and PEER.
8) NPS maintained the unethical case against Superintendent, Mary Miller at Sitka National Historic park, until MSPB ordered the NPS to reinstate her as Superintendent and pay her back pay, due to the discrimination she suffered by the NPS.
9) NPS maintained the unethical position of stating the NPS was exercising its "discretionary authority" not to repair a known hazard at Lassen Volcanic NP, after a 9 year old boy, Tommy Botell was killed when a retaining wall failed. A federal judge ruled against the NPS and its park employees, after our own Special Agent testified against the park. The judge specifically stated that Superintendent Darlene Koontz destroyed evidence, obstructed the investigation and lied under oath.
10) NPS mismanaged a massive resource damage case at Effigy Mounds, disavowing and burying an NPS critical investigative report which implicated central office personnel, citing gross negligence / incompetence. The NPS actually denied that the investigative report existed to the President of the Friends Group.
11) Maintained an unethical case against a concerned whistleblower at Canaveral NS when the park violated purchasing and contracting policy. Superintendent was allowed to reprise against the park biologist and was not held accountable for the behavior, in fact, it was repeated.
12) The NPS failed to properly investigate and hold accountable those who were responsible for repeated and gross sexual harassment violations over a long period of time at Grand Canyon National Park. Reports suggest the NPS buried the issue, mismanaging it until it became a national scandal.
13) NPS grossly mismanaged both the Occupy Washington and Government Shutdown issues, allowing the agency to be played, while demonstrating invisible leadership. Even when one of our brave rangers stood up to an abusive Politian, suggesting she should be ashamed for doing her duty, the NPS Director was no where to be found. No public or internal statement was ever made.
14) NPS mismanages numerous fee issues (USS Arizona Memorial; C&O Canal and others).
15) NPS mismanages major concessions contracts at Grand Canyon and Yosemite, costing the agency and taxpayer millions.
16) NPS fails by any measure its requirement to display transparency by the Obama Administration. Director Jarvis continues his adversarial relationship with numerous internal issues.
There are so many more...
So, you ask yourself about the leadership of Director Jarvis? Well, try to put this current ethical violation into a larger perspective. Is there any wonder there is a lack of confidence is the director's leadership? Leaders, though demonstrating their ethical values, give rise to organizational misbehavior. The short-listing above is a result of his style of leadership.
Our employees have spoken repeatedly about these failings, providing repeated failing grades in Employee Viewpoint Surveys. The Director blames these poor grades on external forces, instead of taking ownership, responsibility and conducting the needed reforms this agency needs. After all, the failing grades are specifically directed towards senior leadership.
We need ethical, inspired leadership, not just an ambitious man hanging around for the centennial party. He has let us down; on so many levels. The privileges of leadership come with responsibilities. Violating agency policy and then justifying it to the Inspector General as “risk taking,” demonstrates he neither understands nor appreciates the burden of leadership responsibility.
0
0
1
1012
5770
Honor Code Camps
48
13
6769
14.0
Normal
0
false
false
false
EN-US
JA
X-NONE
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
So who sets the example for every department on the Federal Level? You can look at every department at the Federal Level and see in many of them, if not all, GROSS ethics problems and unconstitutional behavior. How can Jarvis or any Director not be affected by the corrupted politics of their bosses. Trying to carry the banner of virtue is pretty difficult when you serve at the privelidge of a corrupted political system. Lots of good attempted but in the end it's all politics and it's getting worse not better.
Pages