WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is reinstating jobs for many National Park Service employees who were let go as a part of extensive government cutbacks, while also planning to hire nearly 3,000 more seasonal workers. This decision follows significant public backlash against the administration’s aggressive downsizing strategy for the agency.
According to sources privy to these plans, who wished to remain anonymous, at least 50 jobs are being restored to support park maintenance, visitor education, and admission fee collection. A recent memorandum from the National Park Service revealed that they are now aiming to fill up to 7,700 seasonal positions this year, an increase from the previously stated target of approximately 5,000 and above the three-year average of 6,350 seasonal workers. Currently, the park service employs around 20,000 people.
Numerous lawmakers and advocacy organizations have denounced these layoffs as excessive and detrimental to public safety as well as the parks’ welfare. For instance, Colorado’s Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, located west of Colorado Springs and attracting approximately 70,000 visitors a year, announced on social media that it will be closed for two days each week due to staffing shortages, effective Monday.
In a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Virginia’s two Democratic senators along with six Democratic House members emphasized the critical nature of these roles in safeguarding America’s cherished natural resources, public safety, and maintaining high operational standards. They warned that if these directives were not amended, the Park Service’s ability to protect both visitors and park assets could be severely compromised, especially with peak visitation approaching.
The concern over the layoffs has garnered bipartisan attention. Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine expressed her worry that Acadia National Park would struggle to recruit the necessary seasonal employees to carry out essential responsibilities such as collecting entrance fees and maintaining trails, as well as providing emergency services for visitors.
Seasonal workers are typically brought on board during the warmer months to cater to the more than 325 million annual visitors of the nation’s 433 parks, historic sites, and attractions. Park advocates argue that the permanent staff reductions will leave numerous national parks, including several of the most popular and frequently visited locations, inadequately staffed and forced to make difficult decisions concerning operating hours, visitor safety, and resource management.
A spokesperson for the Interior Department declined to provide comments on the matter, and the National Park Service did not respond to inquiries. Bill Wade, executive director of the Association of National Park Rangers and a former superintendent of Shenandoah National Park, stated that while the initiative to hire more seasonal workers is appreciated, it will take time to reach the required staffing levels to mitigate some of the anticipated impacts.
In recent days, thousands of job offers to seasonal workers were rescinded, and not all of them are expected to be rehired, according to Wade and others. Additionally, some permanent employees who were laid off were involved in recruitment and training processes for seasonal workers.
“I’m optimistic because they will eventually be rehired, but I’m cautious about saying everything is resolved,” Wade noted, adding that the layoffs and uncertainties regarding seasonal employment persisted following the departure of an unknown number of park employees who opted for deferred resignations initiated by the Trump administration.
Tim Whitehouse, executive director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, characterized the situation as chaotic, criticizing a lack of coherent staffing plans and leadership from the Interior Secretary. He urged Burgum to ensure that the parks operate at full effectiveness in the upcoming spring and summer seasons, warning of potential problems, especially at popular spring destinations like Zion National Park in Utah.
“National parks are beloved treasures for all Americans, yet the decision-makers appear out of touch with that reality,” referenced Whitehouse, as he pointed to the involvement of billionaire Elon Musk and a team of advisors in the initiative to terminate thousands of federal positions.
As of now, President Donald Trump has yet to nominate a permanent park service director, a role that requires Senate approval, leaving Jessica Bowron, the agency’s comptroller, as the acting director.
