As Joshua Tree National Park’s busy season begins, seasonal hires are in question for park staff this year.
The February 14 firing of six Joshua Tree National Park rangers has only reduced an already short-staffed park.
Luke Basulto, with the National Parks Conservation Association, said that National Parks in general have been consistently understaffed for years. He said that Joshua Tree National Park currently has 46 unfilled positions, which is more than 1/3rd of the entire workforce.
Basulto said positions currently empty at Joshua Tree National Park include rangers, maintenance staff, and fee collectors.
At a town hall meeting in Yucca Valley on Saturday, Congressman Jay Obernolte discussed the cuts, and their impact on Joshua Tree National Park. He said that he was against the cuts, and pointed toward the possible rehiring of staff. When discussing seasonal hires for 2025, he said “We want the level of seasonal hires to be higher than last time.”
Basulto said that Joshua Tree National Park Rangers have expressed concern at their ability to hire seasonal employees, saying that the resources are thin already without engaging in additional rounds of hiring.
A representative at Joshua Tree National Park did not respond directly to questions related to seasonal staffing. The representative said, “Due to the increase in inquiries about park operations, responses may be delayed and we are unlikely to be able to accommodate reporting deadlines. We appreciate your understanding and support.”
A new initiative at federal agencies required all staff, including National Park staff who are employed by the Federal Department of the Interior, were requested to describe their accomplishments for the week in five bullet points by midnight last night, with their answers reported to be used in part to determine the status of their continued employment, and guiding possible future layoffs.
