Editor's note: The following letter is from a current employee of the National Park Service who asked for anonymity out of fear of retribution.
Interior Secretary Zinke,
We, your staff, across the National Park Service, are appalled at the way Superintendent Dan Wenk and other SES managers are being treated and dismissed. Hundreds of us have had the pleasure and honor of working for Dan Wenk. After 43 years of dedicated service to this country and to the National Park System, and to the American public, this is how you treat him? Is this what we can all expect? Dan has done nothing but stick up for what is right, treat employees well and fairly, and ensured that places like Yellowstone endure for future generations to come. He performed as a leader!
It is time you hear from the “troops.” First of all, we are not your “troops”! No matter what our discipline or grade level or where we work in the system, you will be hard-pressed to find employees that are not passionately dedicated to the National Park Service mission and the Organic Act. And we are like this no matter what the flavor of the Administration. Stop saying disparaging things about us. We would like some of that respect and support that you supposedly learned about in the Navy as a leader.
We are not in your army. We are not in the Armed Forces. Again, we are not “troops” in the field. We are generally trained professionals in the American public’s national parks who know how to do our jobs better than anyone. Why do you think we are respected by not only the American public, but around the world? And how did we get this way? From having real leaders like the Dan Wenks of the Service.
And how do you think that anonymous person in the hallways of the Main Interior building who witnessed the Acting Director perform a lewd act feels? Do you understand that the message you just sent to the field is that there is a “no tolerance policy” (that both you and the Acting Director wrote and committed to) for everyone but your friends who you have put in senior positions? Not only did he admit he conducted this act, but also has little integrity as a senior leader for his previous illegal actions as proven with the illegal removal of trees to pander to a friend at the Ohio and Chesapeake Canal. If this is your idea of a senior leader to an entire National Park Service, you are sorely mistaken. How about prove that you care about your message in regards to no tolerance for a hostile work environment and remove him immediately so we can all raise our heads a little bit higher and try to regain some of the pride we are rapidly losing?
Dan Wenk never conducted himself in this manner, nor any of the other SES managers. How about as our “leader” you lead like they have. Show them the respect they deserve? How about when you visit the parks, you try to build up staff instead of trying to tear us down? And stop trying to undo all the hard and good work that employees have been working on for years…not just in the last Administration but even well before that. If you want to be respected as a leader, start treating us all as the dedicated professionals we are and practice what you preach in regards to a hostile work environment starting at the top in NPS.
And of course, this is anonymous. Retaliation, obviously, is real and alive and healthy, especially at Main Interior.
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Comments
Cray cray, over the top scary. That Traveler published this letter instead of providing this employee pathyways to mental health professionals speaks volumes.
WTF?
This isn't a mental health issue. NPS employees have every right to be outraged at how Zienke and Trump are mistreating our natural treasures and the people who were hired to take care of those natural treasures. Every American should be outraged by how Zienke and Trump are mistreating our public lands and federal employees.
There are hundreds of us in the NPS community that fully support what was stated in the letter. The only thing "over the top" is the actions of the "secretary" and "acting director."
wow having been cast aside like an old shoe, at Main Interior, I could not have said it any better myself.
THANK YOU TRUTH TELLER
No, I don't think this is "cray cray" (for those of you unfamiliar with that two-word phrase, it means ultra-crazy). I think it means that the author of this letter wanted to find an avenue in which to let the public know of their own concern with the way things are within the NPS, and also of that person's valid fear for retaliation for voicing his/her opinion, which is probably the opinion of many others who are too afraid for their jobs to say or even write anything. I've met people in my own company who are afraid to say or report anything because they have families to support and thus are forced to turn their eyes away from blatant disregard of company policy and uncalled-for actions in a professional environment. The mere fact that a letter was even written shows a degree of bravery on this author's part. If this person needs a "pathway to mental health professionals," it's because of the toxic atmosphere in which the author of this letter and many others are forced to work. If people think the author of this letter is crazy, then perhaps those people are not quite as concerned for our national parks and national monuments, or for those who staff our national parks and national monuments. And perhaps those people don't mind seeing other employees make lewd gestures and disregard their own place of employment's policies. Sometimes, it's necessary to speak out, whether it be a letter to the Traveler for possible publication, or attending a public march, or some other means of voicing one's concern. I do not think this letter writer is cray cray.
Vindictive retaliation is alive and well in the NPS. I am only now feeling safe in saying such things publicly after four years of retirement.
"over the top scary?" Huh? Did we just read the same letter?
Totally agree. WTF? Please read the letter again Terry. The author is spot on and the way this administration is raping our public lands is shameful.
I applaud this employee for speaking some TRUTH FROM THE HEART!
Obviously this is a dedicated employee that TRULY cares about OUR PARKS!
We need OUR LEADERS to start being good decent leaders that have a heart for what they are doing not just money intergrity....
We can make a change!
Be the change!
This employee has my respect!
MUCH LOVE!
A big thank you to the NPS employee who wrote this letter and to all of the NPS employees who feel the same way. Please hang in there until this nightmare of an administration disappears. Most of us who read and support National Parks Traveler appreciate your work ethic, dedication, and service to the mission of the National Parks.
Not that I agree with what Mr Zinke is doing to our National Parks but reassigning SES employees is not isolated to this administration. When you sign up to be in the SES you agree to the terms that you can be transfered at any time. I saw this happen to SES employees in the 1990’s when there was a multiple swap between Regional Directors. When the park service went through CORE Op’s A few years ago many employee‘s (non-SES) were given these same terms, either move or leave. Me Wenk probably supported these kind of things when he was in Washington himself.
This was not a "transfer" matter. I agree with the Traveler writer 100%. This was a blatant act of retaliation. Mr. Wenk did not agree on certain matters with the current administration...and that is why he was "transferred"...READ fired.
Speaking for him now, Carol? How about letting him say what he "probably supported".
Zinke, like his boss comrade trump, is way out of his league. The citizens of the USA would be far, far better off if he resigned with all alacrity.
"LIKE" is not enough
'Bout time one of Pruitt's staff did the same... !!!
Terri - you do know that sooner or later this administration will be thrown out, whether by impeachment or ballot box, and you and your fellow Good Germans will be known, and accountable for the damage to the nation.
I openly support the letter writer and everything in the letter.
hi Brian
they pushed me out may 26 - 36 years, CSRS, they get points for getting rid of feds. It has hit me hard. hugs to you. Lynne
Terri, the writer of this letter does not appear to be mentally ill. The issues he/she brings up are very real. The "Zero Tolerance" policy on sexual harassment obviously doesn't apply to NPS Acting Director Dan Smith, or he would have been fired after his lewd public display. Interior Secretary Zinke has a fixation in expecting personal loyalty from Department employees, though their alliegance is to the Constitution of the United States and the mission and regulations of their respective agencies. Zinke's attempted militarization of the Interior Department seems to be a make-up for him, for his being denied a senior command position in the Navy after findings of ethical misconduct were sustained against him. It is Zinke who brought Dan Smith, also ethically-challenged, out of retirement to lead the NPS. All of this brings a disturbing message to career employees.
Wow, cray cray is right.
Not the least of which...why anonymous? Hide in the shadows and name names but not your own?
"Why anonymous"? At my last Park many years ago, I was interviewed and testified truthfully in a personnel matter involving my 2nd line supervisor. My reward was swiftly being at the receiving end of vindictive retaliation. Such reprisals are unlawful, but happen every day with impunity. I'm sure there are a lot of other readers who have had a similar experience, and others who keep their mouths shut in fear of, or to further their careers.
Applause for the anonymous author for speaking truth to power and Kurt for publishing this opinion. I strongly support continuing to allow anonymous comments as well.
Bill O. above only feels safe from management retaliation well into retirement, but even four years may not be long enough if you've angered a bigshot. Zinke could just get his boss to call Vlad for the hacked OPM files and have any retirement account 'lost' ;o)
I know thorough personal experience that a common way to "further...careers" in the NPS is to inform on critics and whistleblowers and be rewarded with their job.
We are truly in the midst of troubling times for the parks and for those who care for them. It has happened before and undoubtedly will again. Those in upper level management positions, both SES and higher grade GS employees, are particularly vulnerable. However, do not dispair! Pick your battles and fight intellegently to protect the the parks and the honor of the National Park Service. There is an abundance of organizations and individuals that can and will assist in the struggle. Always keep in mind that you ultimately work for the American public and are duty bound to protect the natural and cultural treasures of our nation for future generations.
I see nothing "new" here. In fact, there is quite a precedent for NPS employees speaking out anonymously prior to Zinke. The entire NPS culture is one of retribution and that was firmly entrenched under Jarvis. If the NPS employees want credibility, then put your name on the line and say something. Enough people doing this, sticking together, is a force that would have protection should anyone be fired as a result. Anonymous letters are cowardice. Stand up and be counted. Quit cowering behind fear of losing pensions and do the right thing and put your name on it. Evil is what happens when good people do nothing. Anonymity is nothing. We all know there is plenty of wrongdoing to go around. I'm just tired of seeing "retired" NPS people speaking out once they got the pension in hand.
I applaud the writer of this letter. The author is speaking for many nps employees who are afraid to write such a letter to the Traveler. What was done to Supt. Wenk was mean spirited and wrong. We all know this but only the writer of this letter took the time and effort to speak for the majority of nps employees. I hope the Secretary is getting the message about the employees of the nps and how we feel about his actions.
Zinke's far right approach is almost as bad as Jewell's far left approach. Let's hope balance returns eventually. After 35 years with this outfit I've seen some things, good, bad, and ugly. Problem is Wenk is a moderate, and one of the better NPS leaders. Much worse being moved around and promoted. Of course, Jarvis's legacy of promotions and leadership is really something to cry over, Academics and ability to "get along" drove the leadership hiring train, experience and accountabilty, secondary........that train went off the rails
I'm just tired of seeing "retired" NPS people speaking out once they got the pension in hand.
SmokiesBackpacker - yup - another one of those damn retired NPS folks whom you are tired of hearing from since I have my pension in hand - well, trying to be polite here - screw you.
I proudly served for 39 years and have earned my right to speak up - as I did throughout my career and sometimes not to my advantage. We may be old and tired but I'll bet many of us understand this agency far better than you.
Well Retired NPS person,
Since you were so courageous as an NPS rank and filer, then you certainly won't mind pointing to examples when you "courageously" spoke up against the NPS hierarchy then. I would like to give credit where credit is due.
Oh, come on, 'packer.
Like 'Smokies Backpacker' isn't just a fancier way of typing 'Anonymous'?
Just back from Yellowstone and Grand Teton where outrage and disgust are dripping from the trees. It's not just NPS personnel who are mad -- it's also virtually every park visitor who has heard of this and a whole bunch of merchants and news outlets in West Yellowstone and Jackson.
Let's hope they -- and we -- all remember this very clearly when we go to the polls in November. That's where change will begin.
Amazing to witness HIGH RANKING Superintendents Treated poorly as low ranking GS-5-7-9s, especially seasonals ! Wonder how many higher ranking permanent NPS personnel
voted for autocratic TRUMP and are part of the GOP LIAR plot to adversely affect agencies policies from within ? especially through budget cuts, like "starving the beast" ?
Repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth”, is a law of the Nazi propaganda juggernaut.
So m13cli, exactly what "lie" is being repeated? And specifically, by whom?
EC, if you do a google search with the words trump and lie, I'm certain you can find the answers to both questions. No need for any of us to do this search for you when the results could keep you occupied for days.
Brian, No doubt I can find plenty accusations of lies. Of course a google search for "Obama" and "lie" would turn up an equally long list I want to know what lie is being repeated as part of Nazi propaganda.
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/obamas-50-lies/
http://www.politifact.com/personalities/barack-obama/. (After 8 years in office)
http://www.politifact.com/personalities/donald-trump/. (After 16 months in office)
Even Neil Cavuto of Fox News had something to say about it: http://insider.foxnews.com/2018/05/03/neil-cavuto-rips-donald-trump-stat...
i have been around this agency 45 years. I have seen great people and not so great people and I have seen wonderful acts of kindness and really mean and spiteful things done to people. What is constant are the parks and the stories they tell and they belong to everyone - no matter who they voted for in the last election.
Mather, that is one of the best things I've heard in a long time. Thanks for reminding us. People are people. It just proves an old saying I heard: This world would be a much better place without all those PEOPLE in it!
So Lee what lie is being repeated like Nazi propaganda. You throw out a couple of left wing "fact checkers" with a compulation of supposed lies by both Obama and Trump but still fail to identify the specific repeated lies in support of some unidentified agenda.
Again Lee, what lie is being repeated in a Nazi like fashion to dry to indoctrinate? I will just chalk this up to another baseless accusation.
It appears as though this culture of backstabbing and towing the line in order to advance one's career in the NPS began way before Trump was elected. And as the son of a career military officer, you moved when and where you were told to move by the government, or your commission was over. What's changed? If you have an aversion to bureaucracy, nepotism and backstabbing, then why work for the government in the first place?