Job in Mesa Verde National Park

[cdiggy]

I just got a call today for a job offer from the NPS for a maintenance gig in Mesa Verde NP. Debating on weather to take it. Seasonal NTE 6 months. The gig is mine if I want it. Not exactly the pay grade I was looking for but a foot in the door to a NPS job. Paperwork is being mailed today so I imagine Monday I will know more when the packet comes. I had forgotten about the flood of emotions that come with such a big decision (the doubts, anxiety, leaving an area with a large support group and friends, the 'unknown frontier' factor). Crazy how your mind starts to race...
I will need to be there in about 30 days which leaves little time to clean up 15 years of mess from staying in one place. My step van won't be ready and I will have to leave it with my friend/mechanic to do the repower that it so very much needs.
Taking this job will very much take me out of my comfort zone. The plus side is the housing that comes with the job do to the remoteness of the park
Don't think I will be sleeping much tonight...

 

[cdiggy]

Nope. No clams. But that part of my life ended some time ago. It was the hardest work and best job I ever did. Something about the lifestyle. I was in the best shape of my life and the healthiest. The amount of pay for the hard work was the downfall or I might still be doing it. Thanks man.!

 

[cyndi]

That's a great opportunity, cdiggy!

I can completely relate to your trepidation. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. That's all I got. It works for me most days.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

What a great place to begin with NPS.
We were there last summer. Very awesome.

 

[cdiggy]

Hope it works out. Waiting on paperwork!

 

[ttpadilla]

I just got a call today for a job offer from the NPS for a maintenance gig in Mesa Verde NP. Debating on weather to take it. Seasonal NTE 6 months. The gig is mine if I want it. Not exactly the pay grade I was looking for but a foot in the door to a NPS job. Paperwork is being mailed today so I imagine Monday I will know more when the packet comes. I had forgotten about the flood of emotions that come with such a big decision (the doubts, anxiety, leaving an area with a large support group and friends, the 'unknown frontier' factor). Crazy how your mind starts to race...
I will need to be there in about 30 days which leaves little time to clean up 15 years of mess from staying in one place. My step van won't be ready and I will have to leave it with my friend/mechanic to do the repower that it so very much needs.
Taking this job will very much take me out of my comfort zone. The plus side is the housing that comes with the job do to the remoteness of the park
Don't think I will be sleeping much tonight...

You can do this, and you will not regret it. These are the opportunities that make life worthwhile!

 

[Patrick46]

We (the wifey & I) went to Mesa Verde just a few years ago.

Outstanding place to visit!!

Is the job working in the campground, or as a tour guide??


It does sound like you're not so sure about this, so if you haven't been there yourself, it'd be a good idea to go check it out first.
Is there any room to back out if it doesn't work out for ya??

 

[cdiggy]

We (the wifey & I) went to Mesa Verde just a few years ago.

Outstanding place to visit!!

Is the job working in the campground, or as a tour guide??


It does sound like you're not so sure about this, so if you haven't been there yourself, it'd be a good idea to go check it out first.
Is there any room to back out if it doesn't work out for ya??

Job is maintenance. I am sure I just have butterfly's is all. It is only temp and I am looking for permanent. That is the only thing. Def the general area I want to be in.

 

[cdiggy]

Well it's official. After gov't red tape and a month of waiting for security clearance the job is mine. Starts a week from Monday. I will probably leave tomorrow so I can hit a couple places and trout fish before work starts.

 

[bwallenjr]

I started with the NPS this year on thr blue ridge parkway. Their was a lot of waiting and it dtove me crazy. I work maintenance as well (wg-05) but i love it i thinkvyou will too the NPS is great. Keep checking usajobs for full time they pop up

 

[cdiggy]

I started with the NPS this year on thr blue ridge parkway. Their was a lot of waiting and it dtove me crazy. I work maintenance as well (wg-05) but i love it i thinkvyou will too the NPS is great. Keep checking usajobs for full time they pop up

I here ya! I am the same wg-05. After a career as a journeyman pipefitter wg-10. I must have applied to over 300 jobs coast to coast through usajobs and had a dozen interviews before Mesa verde. Then a couple days after that Zion called with a same pay grade job cleaning backcountry shitters. After years of working on aircraft carriers for the navy doing everything from o2n2 plants to 600# steam boilers I actually considered cleaning shitters for a living. Unbelievable. But I have my foot in the door with an opportunity to shinny my fat ass the rest of the way through the door. Funny how things change.

 

[bwallenjr]

Once you're in you're in the door. My advice would be to take any kind of training that they offer you get paid to do it plus it makes you more valuable you never know what other facilities might be looking for. I like the seasonal aspect of the job I'm hoping it will allow me to travel some and take different seasonal jobs. at different parts of the year in different parts of the country. I'm not sure how much you're looking to travel but it's always an option

 

[Patrick46]

Waytago CD!!!

I'd think that this would be a nice gig...especially since this gets you in for even more and better opportunities.

 

[cdiggy]

So I am in colorado. Left Friday night and got into Colorado Sunday night. 20 hours driving on Saturday. The reward? I don't have to be in Mesa verde until Saturday at 1pm to get my quarters and then report to HR on Monday morning. So I have some time to myself...

 

[rvpopeye]

The NPS is a great place to put down roots , once you're in , you're IN.
Transfer from park to park with the seasons is possible.

When I grow up I'd like to land an interpretive ranger gig !

 

[ttpadilla]

I applied for a zillion NPS, BLM, and FS jobs this year, and was found most qualified on about 20, but I never heard another word after that. I'll definitely try again next year, though.

 

[cdiggy]

I applied for a zillion NPS, BLM, and FS jobs this year, and was found most qualified on about 20, but I never heard another word after that. I'll definitely try again next year, though.

Me too! I am most certainly over qualified for this job but it was the first offer after hundreds of applications and maybe only 6 interviews so I took it!

 

[cdiggy]

After half of June being the wettest on record we are having unseasonably hot weather. 95+ degrees every day. Rangers are reporting medical incidents numerous times a day with people not drinking enough water. Park is beautiful though with great sunsets and cool nights. I'm living in a house with three rangers for a grand total of $188/month with electric and gas included. I think this is going to be a good gig.

 

[Patrick46]

Cool!!

Nice to hear things are going well!

 

[cdiggy]

This park is definitely worth the time to see. The cliff dwellings are amazing.