National Park Service begins layoffs, with potentially 'devastating' results
The Trump administration’s swift effort to shrink the federal government appears to be wreaking havoc within the National Park Service, and could adversely affect operations this spring and summer.
National Parks Traveler reported that 1,000 NPS employees were being fired Friday, but added that 5,000 seasonal workers could be hired by the agency.
The hiring of seasonal employees, if it occurs on this scale, represents a reversal considering that many seasonal employees were told recently that their summer jobs had been canceled.
The NPS has not issued a statement about the staffing issue. National Parks Traveler cited the National Parks Conservation Association as its source. Theresa Pierno, NPCA’s president and CEO, is quoted:
“Allowing parks to hire seasonal staff is essential, but staffing cuts of this magnitude will have devastating consequences for parks and communities. We are concerned about smaller parks closing visitor center doors and larger parks losing key staff including wastewater treatment operators.
“Exempting National Park Service seasonal staff from the federal hiring freeze means parks can fill some visitor services positions. But with peak season just weeks away, the decision to slash 1,000 permanent, full-time jobs from national parks is reckless and could have serious public safety and health consequences.”
Kristen Brengel, NPCA’s senior vice president for government affairs, told National Parks Traveler that the 1,000 people losing their jobs were on probation with no tenure or protections.
She described the firings as “indiscriminate” and added: “They are not looking at what these folks do. They are just slashing the jobs.”
It’s too soon to tell how the firings will affect the visitor experience; whether garbage bins will be emptied and restrooms cleaned regularly, or whether park rangers will be available when needed.
Drastic cuts are also being imposed at the Bureau of Land Management and throughout the Department of the Interior, according to National Parks Traveler.