I would love to know if anyone here has worked the Summer (or other) season at a National Park. Did you work for a third party or the actual Park Service? Did you have a free site to stay or was it partly subsidized at least? What was the pay and the job? I would love to know about any experience good or bad and parks that offer lots to do with varied job choices. What was your best experience and favorite place?
National Park Jobs-Good Experiences?
- Thread starter cynanne
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sephson
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A friend of mine who I met at the last RTR is currently working a summer job at Yellowstone. I'm not sure about the specifics of the arrangement, but he's having a blast.
I have worked seasonally for NPS contractors and the NPS. How enjoyable it is will depend mainly on your direct supervisor. Sometimes free space sometimes up to $350 a month rent, both usually come with all utilities furnished if you have your own RV and are in a paying position. NPS usually pays more and is harder and takes longer to get a position. My wife finally got an NPS job after several years of applying but for 12 years had no problem getting jobs with the contractor in the park. I as a veteran with needed qualifications and already had an RV in the employees area fell right into a job. Most seasonal jobs are 1039 hours maxiuns and a GS-5 pay grade pays $16 an hour. I usually make $15,000 or so a season but most of it goes to food and transportation as we are in a very remote location. Nearest town with a Sam's Club is 225 miles as well as doctors and hospitals. Ask away if you have questions.
Thank you for this. I am more interested in knowing about the contract jobs. Are they usually minimum wage? That is what I have heard. $350 a month to park a small van seems difficult if you are getting minimum wage. Do people try to park outside for free and drive in? If you are stealth and in a mini van that seems possible. The remoteness and distance from town would of course factor in.
Aramark is the contractor in several National Parks and Recreational Areas. Starting wage somewhat depends on what state you are in. Usually not much more than minimum wage for non skilled positions. Where I am I believe it is $10 an hour and they did offer a bonus after 90 days which I believe was between $450 and $550 depending on location. Camper spaces and utilities are furnished for free or there are dorms. Employees get several discounts on the inflated goods sold on property and an employee meal plan is available for about $5 a meal. A rec center is open for employees most of the season. Several employees do not have cars so van trips to town can be dificult to get a seat on. There are public showers and restrooms in the camping areas. Federal and State employees using the Aramark employee campground pay rent to Aramark or live in Federal or State housing. Currently the state is so hard up for employees and housing 6 people are living in a 3 bedroom two bath house but for free. It seems the more remote the area the harder it is to get employees and when you get them there isn't enough housing. Sounds perfect for someone with their own housing but at 106 degrees today most RV air conditioners have a hard time, never the less a van. Most van dwellers end up in the dorm and speend tie off in the van seeing the sites.
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