National Park Service Reviews

I worked at National Park Service full-time

Pros – Get great experience. Awesome people to work for and work with.

Cons – Only thing is most of these type of jobs are temporary. Its hard to get a permanent job unless someone retires or there is a person who leaves.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

I have been working at National Park Service as an intern for less than a year

Pros – It is a relatively laid back work environment. I worked in a small office at a relatively small park. For the most part everyone seemed to get along very well and was satisfied with their career. No one was overworked and hours were pretty flexible. From what I saw if you want a satisfying career with a good work-life balance, this is a great place to work.

Cons – It is very difficult to get a government job and the Park Service is no different. Pay is generally lower in government jobs, not that I would know much about this since I was an intern.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

I worked at National Park Service full-time for more than a year

Pros – Great if you like the outdoors, historical lands and monuments. Also great if you are a history buff! Extremely fun job

Cons – Depending on what landmark, park, or monument you go to, could be difficult if you are handicapped.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

I worked at National Park Service full-time for more than 7 years

Pros – Federal job with federal benefits

Cons – Management's skills are mediocre at bes

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

I worked at National Park Service part-time for more than a year

Pros – Great place to work ad lots of fun.

Cons – Too much paperwork and jumping through hoops.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

I have been working at National Park Service for more than a year

Pros – The landscape is incredibly beautiful.

Cons – I've worked for various parks in the NPS system, but I am just puzzled by the incompetence of the Yosemite NPS HR Officers. Simply asking questions is met with hostility and usually no resolution. Employees really shouldn't have to investigate HR policy themselves. It really seems as though they prefer a "hands off" approach. Unfortunately for you, with their time in service, their lack of performance will never be subject to reprimand. Much of the leadership here has undergraduate level degrees and couldn't even compete in today's job market. Qualified applicants need not apply as your graduate degree might be perceived as a threat to upper management!

Advice to Senior Management – Advice? That would imply that management was even receptive to criticism. Good luck with that.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

I worked at National Park Service

Pros – It was for a good cause. Management was friendly.

Cons – None really. Other than the weather being bad that day.

Advice to Senior Management – Keep up the good work.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

I have been working at National Park Service full-time for more than 3 years

Pros – Great Environment, co-workers are usually decent, go for the land not for the job.

Cons – Management isn't in the field and has no idea what you really do "out there"

Advice to Senior Management – Get out more

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

I have been working at National Park Service full-time for more than 7 years

Pros – Committed group of exciting, challenging, educated, talented coworkers who despite all obstacles continue to keep the publics treasures open to all. There is an opportunity to work with, visit, and explore a world of historic sites with personal connection to each. Fellow workers always make time to be of assistance and cooperate to achieve positive results. There is a culture of individual control of time, activities, education, and direction. Results are rewarded with commendations and certificates.

Cons – No clear systems in place for continued advancement in some areas divisions. Management and the Department are struggling with too much to accomplish without enough financial resources. The back log of defered maintenance is in the multi millions and may never be accomplished leaving resources over time unusable.

Advice to Senior Management – Evolve and discuss advancement strategies with employees.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

I worked at National Park Service full-time for more than 7 years

Pros – Mission. People. Once you become part of the family, you can never get out... even if you try.

Who doesn't like the National Parks?

Cons – If you are a thought leader, expect resistance from the entrenched old timers. The culture of the organization resists change, and that is likely for good reason being that they employ people in the business of preservation...

Advice to Senior Management – Realize who is pulling the cart up the hill, who is sitting in the cart weighing it down, and who is doing nothing more than blocking it from making any progress at all. Give the pullers incentive, the sitters a reason to pull, and remove the blockers.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm not optimistic about the outlook for this company