[cascadeclimber]

[bccarlso]

[altasnob]

[kiliki]

[kiliki]

I liked the Times article. I think there are even more obstacles that could have been discussed. The Reasoning and Personality test instituted by the Trump administration with the specific goal of making it harder to hire federal employees for example. It is AWFUL. I wonder how many people have applied for jobs at Rainier but failed it and were never referred to the park. When the superintendent says no one is applying, I wonder if people are, but are flunking the test. I also know people that thought they were doing really bad and so didn't complete it and didn't apply for the job they wanted. Or I wonder if former employees are not able to be hired because they failed. This IS happening at parks. You are never told you failed but you are blacklisted from jobs for a year. Again, you don't know this. I've posted this before, but if you haven't read it, you should. https://www.sltrib.com/news/2021/03/07/trump-mandated-exams-are/

[Malachai Constant]

When I worked for the ONR I was recruited directly. I never applied for the position although I had applied for an internship a year before. I got a call at home from the head of ONR who asked if I wanted to work at NWC at China Lake and het told me it was near the Sierras. I then asked if I needed a Security Clearance and he said, we already did that. CIA uses the same method, if you apply you will be rejected.

[Randito]

[bullfrog]

In case you missed it, here is the closure FAQ from the park website https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/paradise-winter-access-faq.htm And here is an account of the December meeting from The Mountaineers website https://www.mountaineers.org/blog/winter-access-changes-for-mount-rainier-national-parks-paradise-area

[bccarlso]

Thanks altasnob and bullfrog.

[Riverside Laker]

[Malachai Constant]

Yes when I worked there you could get a pass to go out on the ranges. It had to be arranged in advance and 4x4 only. There was a lot of unexplored ordnance out there and strictly controlled. An amazing place. They have not had civilian tours for the past few years. Did you know there is a full underground hospital out there?

[Bruce Albert]

Bearing in mind that maybe I'm a bit thick:

[Bruce Albert]

[Gwen]

I'm a little late to the party, only now catching up on the whole thread, but I've been acutely aware of the whole dog and pony show from the minute it was announced. Repeatedly, we are told it is a staffing issue, with a shortage of applicants. You've all discussed wage and housing and testing as parts of that issue, but the one thing I have not seen mentioned is the limitation created by not allowing for full time employees. Someone copied the details from a few of the job listings over on USA.gov (and even having to apply through that nightmare will significantly cull the herd) and they all pretty much stated half time (masked as full-time but seasonal). To me one of the bigger bottom lines is the NPS isn't allowed to hire year round full time employees (because that would require paying benefits and such). While I have no proof of this, I suspect there are more than enough applicants who "could" be hired, but aren't because they've already worked a summer gig. While my experience is overall with FS staff, I believe the same applies to NPS staff - many of them would make any number of sacrifices if only given a full time position. So, where does this nonsense rule come from? Is it set by the head of the NPS, or is s it Congressional? Doesn't matter - it's bullsh## and it needs to go. Our Federal land managers have had their hands tied for far too long and we need to push to let them do the job they were hired to do. Now, don't get me wrong, I think the current Supe has a lot to answer for - the dissemination of information has been abysmal, at best, and, like others have stated, we deserve better. Early this week, the MORA FB page made this announcement... "Fireside Chat with Mount Rainier National Park Superintendent Greg Dudgeon, 2 pm, Friday, January 13th at the Longmire National Park Inn Join park superintendent Greg Dudgeon for an informal one-hour discussion of the opportunities and challenges of overseeing one of the most dynamic and popular national parks in the United States. Gather in the National Park Inn's parlor room, adjacent to the hotel front desk. Coffee and hot chocolate will be provided by park partner Rainier Guest Services. This morning, the topic mysteriously changed with this post... Join superintendent Greg Dudgeon at the Longmire National Park Inn for a fireside chat tomorrow, Friday, January 13th, at 2pm. This chat will be focused on using science to make informed management decisions, including newly published glacier research. Park geologist Scott Beason will be available to answer specific questions on the glacier research. The Q&A will also be open to discussing any questions visitors may have. These chats will be hosted periodically by the National Park Inn to give hotel and park visitors a chance to hear from the park superintendent personally. Never mind that the "chat" was scheduled on a weekday in the middle of the afternoon when any number of interested parties would not be able to attend. Never mind that it was scheduled in the remote location of Longmire, in the infinitesimally small parlour. Never mind that the advance notice was limited at best. Please explain to me the dramatic change of topic. Like, you didn't think we'd notice? WTF! We very much deserve better. I think it's important to make your voice be heard both locally and all the way to DC. Let the Supe know. Let the heads of the NPS know. And by gods, let your congress people know (and make sure they know they can not count in your vote if changes aren't made). I have little faith in the "system", even less faith in changes occurring, and pretty much think our country and it's democracy are effed, but I gotta try. I hope y'all try too. Peace out.

[cascadeclimber]