National Park Service employees who were affected by the sweeping layoffs mid February are now able to opt for reinstatement with back pay. This comes after recent court orders required federal agencies to rehire employees that had lost their jobs in budget cuts instigated by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The NPS was originally authorized to reinstate approximately 400 previously terminated probationary employees, while placing the remaining on administrative leave. But an updated release from the National Park Conservation Agency reports that the NPS is now authorized to reinstate all 1,000 probationary park staff who were terminated.
Lydia Jones, a park ranger at Badlands National Park in South Dakota who was terminated from her position, has been actively advocating for the parks on Instagram since the cuts. She encouraged her followers to spread the word and call state representatives to complain about the mass layoffs.
Social movements in support of the parks have also gained traction in the past weeks, with thousands turning out in person at parks to protest the job cuts.
“It’s been a month since my termination, and words can’t express how happy I am to return to a job I love, in a place I love, with people I deeply respect,” Jones wrote in a caption on her page. “I’m beyond grateful for the incredible support from so many of you, and for the solidarity shown to all terminated public lands employees.”
An ongoing crisis
While NPCA celebrated this announcement, they believe the national parks are still in crisis. “Recent resignations and buyout offers are just the latest pressure tactic in the administration’s ongoing effort to dismantle the Park Service—coercing staff to either leave or endure the constant threat of more firings while being stripped of the essential tools and resources needed to do their jobs, including eliminating purchasing ability, cancelling office leases and banning travel,” they wrote in a release.
The recent reinstatements don’t guarantee that employees won’t be affected by future rounds of layoffs.
“Now, with uncertainty looming over if or when the next cut might come, it’s unclear how many will choose to return,” said Theresa Pierno, President and CEO for the NPCA. “The Park Service stands to lose an irreplaceable wealth of expertise, experience, and institutional knowledge they may never get back.”
“Chaotic whiplash”
Early in the new administration, seasonal workers who had plans to work at national parks had their offers rescinded. After the layoffs, it was announced that the NPS was authorized to increase their number of seasonal workers. With this new announcement that full-time employees will be reinstated, the status of these seasonal positions is unclear.
The NPS is also being affected by the federal government ending leases at 34 office buildings, visitors centers and museums across the country.
“This chaotic whiplash is no way to manage the Park Service, especially as they are welcoming millions of visitors right now,” said Pierno. “This administration needs to stop playing games with the future of our national parks.”
