So as if this winter hasn’t been strange enough with limited traveling and my best friend diagnosed with cancer, I also have no job at Grand Canyon this summer. It’s complicated.
View northeast from Moran Point South Rim Grand Canyon
I should be starting work today with training on the South Rim. But no.
The job announcement came out January 12th for Park Ranger Interpretation at Grand Canyon. This is sort of like a classified ad for the gov, all done online of course. I immediately applied for a GS-07 seasonal position on the North Rim. Basically the same job I’ve been doing for ten seasons as a GS-05 for a little more money and called a “lead”. Towards the end of March my supervisor wanted to know if I planed to return for the 2018 summer season. Well of course. But my name didn’t show up on the cert (list of qualified applicants) for my usual GS-05 position. But that’s OK because I can be picked up as a rehire. So we think. But this does prompt me to look into why I didn’t show up on either cert. Are you confused yet?
Last light seen from the North Rim Lodge
After several emails with folks from the regional Human Resources office I am reminded that I didn’t reapply for my GS-05 job, just the GS-07 which I was “highly qualified” for but the park decided not to fill the position. Only they did fill the position and I wasn’t on that cert either. WTF? I’ve asked for a review on this.
Then the ‘rehire’ process began. Due to a new interpretation to old rules the National Park Service (NPS) audited my work history for the last 20 years looking to see if I worked more than the ‘1039’ hours (six months) that is maximum for seasonal employees. If I did, I loose my rehire rights. I waited 2 1/2 weeks thinking I’d be safe as I’ve never worked more than one season a year for NPS since 2002.
Last light on Mount Hayden and beyond from Point Imperial North Rim
If a position requires more than six months the job should be full-time permanent, and I agree with that. NPS has been dodging that one for a long time. Some people choose to work two seasons per year in different parks. The jobs are competitive and permanent jobs have been difficult to impossible to get. Only in the last couple years has it become easier for seasonal employees to apply for permanent jobs through the a new act and be able to get health benefits at a reasonable price when working.
However, I mostly didn’t want to be permanent and work all year. I like being a seasonal and felt fortunate to work six months and then play/take six months off. But I do need to work at least half the year to accommodate my budget. My plan was to work two more summers at Grand Canyon which celebrates 100 years as a national park in 2019, and then at least think about retirement at age 66. Of course as a seasonal Park Ranger I don’t really retire I just don’t go back to work again.
Last light on Wotan’s Throne from the Wedding Site at Cape Royal North Rim
Bottom line, I have no job at Grand Canyon. Seems the auditor discovered I worked seven months at Oregon Caves in 2004. I really don’t know how that could be and have requested a review. If you’re not totally confused by now let me know because I am.
Of course, I’m not the only one who was caught off-guard by this new interpretation of the rules but it is inconsistent across the country in different regions. After commenting on a NPS employee Facebook page I was contacted and interviewed by Cronkite News Arizona PBS. Glad to see some media picking up on this.
Monsoon inversion swirls around Brahma Temple from North Rim Lodge
I am sad about this and yet it could be considered a blessing in disguise. Right now I’m care-taking my friend Berta to the best of my ability, however it is not a new future career. I am not usually first on the list of people-nurturers, and Berta will agree with that. This is different. Should be an interesting summer.
Sunset from Cape Royal North Rim
Rangers get paid in sunsets
My apologies if you are unable to leave a comment. I have done everything I know how to solve the problem short of leaving comments open to anonymous which I won’t do because of spam problems. I am open to suggestions. Please know I appreciate everyone who lands here and stays long enough to read. I really do like comments and try to respond to them all. Feel free to comment at https://www.facebook.com/Geogpsy or use the contact form found below the header shot.
I’m sorry to hear this bad news. I just read about this on NationalParkBlog this afternoon. I hope media attention and hopefully a wider public will make NPS sort this out fairly.
Thanks for your concern. I’d like to see more media coverage about this but don’t hold my breath. Visitors to our national parks will have no idea.
Just wanted to chime in to say that I relate on all levels of your current situations from your friends diagnosis to the media frustrations to the disguised blessings though I work from a different angle (for the state) and that you are not alone. Wishing you and your friend the courage to find laughter and thrill in your hearts, and continuing perseverance throughout all obstacles. -Ang
Thank you Angela. Life goes on.
Hi there Gaelyn, I would think that seeing as you have worked so long as a Park Ranger and consistent with your work, that the government would consider you a very reliable person and take you on automatically and issue forms to fill in well in advance. I am so sorry you are not going to Grand Canyon next but as you say, maybe it’s a blessing in disguise and you need a rest yourself anyway. I hope everything is resolved. Good luck.
Thanks Rita. Sadly, the gov doesn’t really care. I am just an old body with experience and 100s waiting in line for my job.
Why does the government have to make things so darn complicated? Could you have applied for both the GS-5 and GS-7, just to be safe? I’m guessing the application dedline is already past. So sorry to read about all this, but it does give you more time with Berta… xoxox
Yes, I should have applied for the GS-05 job and most likely would have made the cert, like the others I work with did. Everything is now closed so no more options.
By the way, the photos in this post are just stunning!
Thanks. These are on the list potentially for next years calendar.
So sorry to hear this, Gaelyn. As you said, a blessing in disguise, as far as being with Berta. Here’s hoping a new opportunity arises in the future.
Thanks. Still taking it one day at a time.
This is terrible Gaelyn, maybe there will be a change yet. On the other hand, you will have an unpaid job with Berta. You must find this unbelievably frustrating and confusing as we are as well. We hope that something good comes out of all of this. Take care, and big hugs as you must need those more than ever now. Thoughts are with you, Diane and Nigel
I won’t hold my breath for a job at the canyon this summer. Thanks for the hugs, they are always needed.
What is all this rigamarole? Are they kidding? I hope this turns out to be a blessing in disguise for you. I’m a little miffed at my National Parks right now and your difficulties make me more than a little. I’ll be posting about my stay at Cape Hatteras NS in NC so I won’t fill up your comments section with the problems. Is it possible that any of these “reviews” will result in your supervisor getting on the stick and asking for you. There are waivers and exceptions FOR EVERYTHING.
Forgot to ask if there is anything any of us who love your blog and you can do in the way of writing, complaining etc. It does enable you to stay with your friend but it still seems unfair.
All the review will do is hopefully answer my questions not give me my job back. I wish there was something you could do.
Gaelyn, this is so obnoxiously awful. We had a great NRCS employee, “temporary” who fell under some reinterpretation of the rules a few years ago. Was infuriating to all of us. She has worked for more than a decade, but was fired and a newbie hired instead who knew nothing. As you said, it is all about interpretation, and when a govt crat gets hold of something, who knows what can happen. I am so sorry, and although you will be able to stay with Berta longer, it won’t help Berta if you are dealing with budget woes. Infuriating, just infuriating. I hope your requested review lends some help, but knowing the inside working of the government, I’m not reassured.
My boss isn’t happy about this either but beyond her control. Maybe NPS is getting rid of us old to make room for the new but this is not the way to do it.
Oh, Gaelyn, this is heart wrenching news.
Sending hugs your way. We saw the article in the AZ Daily Sun, after we read your blog.
No words. Just hugs and tears.
So sorry to hear this, Gaelyn. What a bummer. The Grand Canyon will be sorry not to have you.
Thanks. More like I will miss the canyon.
Sorry you have to deal with this. I hope everything works out.
Thanks Teri.
So sorry this has happened. I wish you and your friend peace as you both are traversing the diagnosis of cancer. Your photos are beautiful! Dawn
Thank you for your blessings.
I’m really sorry to hear this, Gaelyn, as I always enjoy your summer posts. As others have said, hopefully it will be a blessing in disguise for you and for Berta, too.
Thanks Candace. Just taking it one day at a time right now.
ARG! This was certainly unexpected and disappointing news. We’ll all miss your great and timely photos of the GCNR, but looking forward to where this unexpected turn leads you. All the best!
Thanks Jeff. I too am waiting to see where life takes me. Maybe caretaking a beach house in Mexico. 😉
Oh no. I don’t even know how to respond. Bureaucracy is an ugly thing and it just shows in this case how ugly. I know you’re going to miss the GC this year, probably more than we will. Sad to hear there is no real solution. Nothing private sector in the area you could join? So sad really.
It’s the gov. There are a couple tour guide possibilities but my real job is with Berta right now.
I’m so sorry, Gaelyn, you are such a powerful advocate for your US Parks.
Thanks. I will still support our parks.
So sorry to read this post. I do hope you get some results from your reviews. Working with the government is never easy to understand. But this could be a blessing in disguise for Berta:)
I’ve worked for the gov nearly 30 years and have been both frustrated and ecstatic. Probably the same in the private sector. Still taking it one day at a time.
I am so sorry. Sounds like you need a law degree to be a seasonal employee plus the audit back to 2004!!!! What is up.
And I am sorry about your friend Berta, it is very tough to watch a loved one go through that plus being a caregiver can be physically demanding.
Good luck on the reviews!
Thanks Alan. It’s been a rather rough winter.
Yup! _ WTF… With the current administration, we are lucky the gates to the park are open.
They may not be open for long.
Success! Comment feature finally worked for me.
Gaelyn, I am stunned! Having worked with you when I was a volunteer on the North Rim, I can attest to the fact that NPS has lost a stellar Interp Ranger for this season.
Thanks George. I agree. But they also lost out when you and Nancy left. I hope you are both well.
Bah! Gaelyn! This just sucks BIG time. Maybe (maybe) this will help…
“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.” Alexander Graham Bell
Is this interpretation of the rules trickling down from the top, if you catch my drift?
It’s the long hallway between the doors that sucks. Hard to say where the final word comes from in the gov.
I am gobsmacked. We all like to moan about bureaucracy but this is beyond the pale. Still, it will give you the time with Berta, and the universe often works in mysterious ways, you never know what might happen. I wish you the very best for everything.
Thanks Linda. Right now it’s one day at a time. I don’t read the future.
Gaelyn this is terrible! I can’t believe NPS did this to you. Does it have anything at all to do with our new (so-called) leadershp”….anything political? It is just awful. I admire you for taking it so well, but I hope the review process turns out positive for you.
I hope Berta is having good days.
Could be political but I’m trying not to take it personally. Berta is still having good days.
Sounds like someone played with the applications so they could get a friend in for summer work.
Hoping your Caregiving helps Berta out so she can recover. Deep down she appreciates it and nobody is perfect if they are they get Crucified.
We set our comments to anyone who is a Registered User but occasionally spam still gets through. When that happens do not delete them but send them to your Spam Folder so that it will start recognizing what is Spam and eliminate it for you. If you just delete them your problem will only get worse.
Be Safe and Enjoy!
It’s about time.
That’s not impossible to believe. Rules are broken all the time. Berta has good days just hard to know for how much longer.
Well poop!! I can’t imagine you not being at the Canyon this summer 🙁 Hope it gets straightened out for next year.
I changed my “cookie” settings and was able to start leaving comments again. Don’t remember what it was I did, but that’s where I fixed it :-))))
I’m fighting this decision. That’s good to know. Welcome back.
Sadly I can follow your narrative and relate to your frustration. As a former seasonal ranger and retired state employee it all makes no/sense! No suggestions though.
Thanks for you understanding. If there can be any understanding.
As my mother liked to say, “When it rains, it pours.” I’m just catching up with your news since I’m mostly off-line now (and no longer on Facebook). I’m so sorry to hear that Berta has cancer. I’m also shocked that you might not be rehired at the Canyon. I love all the photos you’ve posted but sure am sorry about the job delemna. I hope Berta is not in any pain. I’ll be thinking of you. I’m in S CA right now, at the beach.
Thanks Barb. That has been true lately. Berta is not in pain just slowly slipping away. Have fun on the beach.
I was saddened to hear of your plight with the NPS. I have never fully understand the application
processes that are used. They, like all things done remotely by the computer with no human interaction, are difficult to navigate and one must quadruple check each page in the process.
Hopefully you will hear from the powers to be that they made a mistake. But we know the chances of that happening are slim. And it will not help this year.
I know you are a strong person and will make it through the year, though you will be pinching pennies a lot. The urge to travel and explore will have to be dampened this year, but hopefully next year will see you back at the North Rim, or another beautiful National Park.
Please know that you and Berta are both in our thoughts and we wish you fair winds and following seas.
All the gov rules are confusing. Final review says its a no go. I can reapply next summer, if I choose to. Something will come up. Thanks for your thoughts and concerns.