Howdy friends,

As many know, the Forest Service like all agencies, had to provide a list of employees that are still on their probationary periods to OPM.

While the days go on and the news continues to flood in with changes and updates from the administration, there seems to be total silence on where this list is and what is being done with it. What do you see them doing with this provided list and should we really think GS-5 to GS-7 forestry technicians are on their radar and or chopping block?

In my neck of the woods, we are so short staffed on any given season due to the local cost of living, agency funding and lack of interest in hard labor in the front or backcountry. I like to think such action to cut these specialized skill workers, whether they be Rec techs, Wilderness rangers, trail crew, foresters or any other USFS program would be detrimental to the local economy of towns in or around National Forest System Lands. Causing a ripple effect of problems for the local communities and its visitors/users.

It’s truly appalling to see so many agencies including ours, whether it’s FS or NPS being in such limbo right now. I can’t even imagine how the 2025 summer season will pan out without our dedicated workers - some of which have given years of temporary seasonal service to gain their permanent or permanent seasonal status, just to be put in such uncertainty only a couple months before the season will be full swing.

I hope you all are taking care of yourselves and know your importance to our nation, regardless of the current events.

Keep your heads up.

FYI, the US NPS park page for Stonewall National Monument has been scrubbed. Any links that lead to it now just give a 503 error. National Japanese American Memorial and Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial have gone dark as well. Even the NPS is not immune to the fires, do keep your eyes peeled and do not let Republicans destroy our parks just because they talk about things Republicans think are icky.

Edit: it seems it’s (so far) just the main pages that are down, the NPS.gov/ [park]/index pages. For now at least, other, more specific park pages seem to still work. Of course, without being able to get back to main park pages, it’s extremely difficult to navigate through their websites. Which is the point.

Where and how do I sign up? I’m qualified according to my SF50.

Ty

I want parks to be cheap and everyone to visit. I love working for the parks. Love working in/with nature. Educating, and always learning. I am truly interested in a conversation about our park prices? As we get into a government that wants to ditch the things that cost. We all know lots of park units are free, and a few parks pay for the rest. Then we say it’s tax dollars too, which it is. A little. But I know lots of projects and employees have been funded the conservation orgs that partner up. A big argument is our tax dollars fund it. They do but no one is motivated to give us the pie in congress and senate. Why are we soooooo cheap? One, I do think internationals should pay a little more if we make tax dollar arguments. They don’t pay taxes. And someone coming here from Australia to see Yellowstone can get in for a week to that park and Teton for $35. Honestly I don’t think Americans should get into Yellowstone and Teton for a week at $35. Yellowstone website says fees bring $12.1mil a year to the park. 4 mil visits? 12 mil doesn’t pay for squat. I think the new apartments that were a quad of 4 bedrooms was 2.2 mil. I could be wrong, it was 7years ago, but I remember being blown away by the cost and how few staff it would benefit. We are just so run down and underfunded. I don’t want a visit to the park to break people. Military, and seniors free still, love the 4th grade pass. Interested in opinions.

What do you guys carry on duty? Is it only the Sig P320/M18? Do you get any choice? Tbh idk how I feel about carrying that sig lol. Im a glock guy but I'd happily carry one of the classic sigs like the 226.

i’m working at katmai national park for a season this year. starting out at king salmon for a couple of weeks but then will be at brooks for the remainder of the time. so, questions..

1. am i able to ship stuff directly to brooks from anywhere? if not, what are the logistics to expect?
2. any good meal suggestions? i assume milk, eggs, dairy, etc will be possible when i first arrive but soon expire. i plan on fishing for protein as much as i can. any fishing tips for the area would be appreciated as well.
3. any suggestions at all/experiences/wisdom anyone is able to share about any aspect of the location or being remote for so long.
4. suggested gear? i know the average temperature for the season, the bug situation, and that it rains hellaciously. but aside from the implied gear with that— is there anything that would’ve been nice to have? or easily forgotten?

feel free to answer any questions you think i should’ve asked instead. it’s my goal to be as informed as i can before arriving.

I'm sorry there's so much uncertainty for people in federal positions. WA just starting hiring seasonal park aide positions. They may not be called "park ranger" but the pay is good and often come with housing. Candidates with a good attitude and relevant experience stand out. You can apply to several positions from one job posting.

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/4797366/park-aide-blue-mountain-area-multiple-parks

Linked is a posting for one area, you can apply across the whole state by finding the different "area" posting on gov jobs. Senior park aide positions are also good to apply for if you have the relevant experience. I wish the best to all of you.

Been a seasonal for 6 years, and hoping to go for a 7th still, as, unless my entire park shuts down or seasonal hiring just doesn't happen this year (which I highly doubt because somebody is gonna have to pump shitters and I doubt a gs-11 is gonna add that to their duties) my position and the associated duties would likely cost way more money to outsource than it would to pay my measley wages. That being said though if it does come to pass that my position is cut I won't exactly be hurting as I work over the winters and have trade skills that keep me employable in the private sector year round. Seeing some of the fear from other seasonals this last week I have to wonder, how many seasonals take their winters off/don't have backup plans? If you do work over the winter, I'm curious, is it just something to keep the bills paid or do you actually have a side career/trade?

Hey all!

I am currently working on a story that involves Park Ranger in America. I was wondering there are any primary source documents/Documentaries/personal stories of working at a National Park. Even pointing me in the direction of blogs would be helpful!

This is also partly out of curiosity since I am considering a career in Park Services (despite everything going on). If anyone wants to chime in and DM interesting tid bits too that would be greatly appreciated.

Hey yall, Started out with the NPS, worked my way up the lower rungs of the ladder, spent some odd years in wildland fire, and now (hiring freeze notwithstanding) have two offers for WG8 and WL7 positions. Pay is roughly the same, both are big, popular parks. I guess I’m wondering if there’s any benefit of a lesser grade WL over a higher grade WG. Thanks in advance.

One of my past supervisors has since become a close friend. I chatted with them today and learned some insight into the seasonal hiring clusterfuck that may be of use to those of us twiddling our thumbs waiting for a decision to be made as to whether we will have jobs this season.

Your hiring manager has been instructed by OPM to not talk to candidates. Period. Full stop. They really don’t know anything other than “the EO says we can hire seasonals, but we have to wait for OPM and DOGE to approve the positions. It might be days, weeks or months.” Parks have submitted their requests and justifications for hiring seasonals, but it is out of their hands at this point.

Consider reaching out to your hiring manager on their personal phone(if you have that kind of relationship) and you may actually get a response.

They are just as frustrated as you and I am. They know the parks cannot function without us. They know that people will die without the dedicated seasonal rangers being there to pull them out of crevasses or carry their broken bodies out of the wilderness.

At this point I’ve started applying for state jobs. Many states are still actively hiring recreation and fire for the summer and it might be worth it to jump ship to actually end up having a paycheck this summer.

Hey, all, I’m looking to obtain a couple park ranger badges to use as props in a movie. I’m shooting in May. Ordered some patches and other pins and stickers from Western Heritage company but can’t seem to find a reasonably priced badge that isn’t a junior ranger badge. Any help is appreciated

Take a stand.

I'm looking into taking a NOLS WFR course, the only one they have in my area is the Hybrid WFR course.

I'm curious if anyone knows if NPS recognizes NOLS courses when it comes to certifications and employment for certain positions. I've received WFA training through NPS already. I'm on trail crew and so far it hasn't seemed necessary to have a WFR cert but would certainly be helpful if I wanted to jump from a WG-05 to a 07.

I would also like to be more useful if ever called on SARs which occasionally happens at the parks I work at. Eventually I'd like to transition from trail crew into something else within the land management agencies, maybe on a fire crew, or possibly to an LE ranger.

I have an education award to spend and NOLS seems like a good organization for that but I wonder if it would be a waste to do it myself if NPS doesn't accept NOLS certification or if they are likely to sponsor me for WFR training in the future.

I’m a 13/13 PSE with exactly 52 weeks in my current position. Does my probationary period automatically end or does a supervisor need to request that?

Go to your state capital. Join the Reddit page for support. Don’t let them win.

What can we do to fight for our parks?

I know the only thing that I've contributed up to this point is memes, but I am actually interested in getting involved with the fight for our public lands. Please no, "It's hopeless and we're all going to die" doomerism. While I believe that we need to be realistic, I also know that fascism only grows with silence and complacency, and I'm not too keen on taking the bullet lying down. So please, only comment if you are also looking to take action or know how to. Thanks!

I have a season at Lassen under my belt in fees. It’s obviously up in the air right now if I’ll be able to go back this summer.

When should I keep an eye out for state summer jobs? And should a season in NPS be enough on a resume to get me into a job with California?

Also are there any redwoods state rangers that can provide some insight into what their workload will look like this summer without the aid of NPS seasonals?

How do seasonals that live and are from the east coast travel to parks to work in on the west coast? And Vice versa. Do you guys drive all the way there or do you purchase a car in the new state you are working in. Right now I have a position offer in California but I’m from New England and my first thought was to buy a car here then make the long drive there. but is buying a car in California with a drivers license from another state possible? And also do you register it with park housing address. Super curious what others do.

Has anyone transitioned from a State City Park Ranger job (Peace Officer) and transferred into NPS or FS? Do you have to start as a GS9 even though you already are a commissioned officer and experienced in LE duties? Any Pros and Cons ? Any other insight ?

Hi I’m a junior in high school wanting to become a park ranger and I was wondering what is needed to become one. I know I have to attend the park ranger law enforcement academy but what else is there

idk if any of yall decided to read the full exemption list but i want to clarify that yes there is an exemption for seasonal and temporary workers, however the agency must seek permission from the big HR to make these hires.

please don’t read an email and hang your head. NAG YOUR BOSS. you have a right to be hired.

I thought that these would stop coming in because of the hiring freeze but I received one of these yesterday. I asked if the job was affected by the freeze and was told that it was not.

This is contrary to everything I’ve seen here and experienced (EPA and USGS offers rescinded). Are some parks exempt?

I 36 (f) would like to start a new career. I see either glowing reviews or the pits. I make 50 thousand right now.

Si it’s probably to late for this but I am in a 5/7/9 position about to become a 7. Unfortunately for me this is my first perm so when I first accepted it, I thought I would’ve been able to increase faster than once a year/negotiate afterwards. I also came from seasonal now where 7/9 where supervisor which is why I didn’t argue the 5 designation to much, but now I am wondering if there is any way to increase as I feel like at minimum I should be getting my 9 instead of 7. My prior experience to this job was 11 months as a seasonal ranger, and 2.5 years as a local county law enforcement ranger. I guess my district does not like/really count private experience as the 2.5 years probably would be equivalent to a gs7 in federal service. But yeah basically wondering if there was any recourse, as no one at my job knows of anything, but they have heard it has happened in the past

I have an interview coming up for a small BLM park in Vermont, but there is no housing. Where in the world would I live? Closest decent town is 80 miles.