Is National Park Service a good company to work for?

National Park Service has an overall rating of 3.5 out of 5, based on over 1,142 reviews left anonymously by employees. This rating has decreased by 3% over the last 12 months. 42% of employees would recommend working at National Park Service to a friend and 21% have a positive outlook for the business. The best reviews about National Park Service have been left by employees working as Intern , Biological Science Technician and Seasonal Park Ranger .

Does National Park Service pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, National Park Service employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.1 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at National Park Service. This rating has decreased by 3% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at National Park Service?

42% of National Park Service employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated National Park Service 3.4 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.4 for culture and values and 2.9 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at National Park Service?

Park Ranger (79) , Biological Science Technician (54) , Intern (32) , Park Guide (30) , Seasonal Park Ranger (27) , Interpretive Park Ranger (22) , Visitor Use Assistant (18) , Maintenance Worker (12) , Maintenance (10) , Lifeguard (9) , Project Manager (9) , Administrative Assistant (8) , Archaeologist (8) , Park Guide: GS-5 (8) , Park Ranger - Law Enforcement (8)

What are the pros of working at National Park Service according to real employee reviews?

"The people you'll work with are great and the work you'll do is rewarding." ((in 78 reviews)); "The coworkers are great and truly want to protect the cultural and natural wonders of this country." ((in 59 reviews)); "Good benefits but do not get paid enough for it to be worth it" ((in 53 reviews)); "Great work environment." ((in 29 reviews)); "It really is a beautiful place to work" ((in 26 reviews))

What are the cons of working at National Park Service according to real employee reviews?

"The pay is low and you'll often be told you get paid in sunsets." ((in 90 reviews)); "Poor management training and diversity awareness" ((in 37 reviews)); "People that are in the agency have been traumatized by the poor management and leadership practices." ((in 13 reviews)); "Upper management is extremely disfunctional" ((in 12 reviews)); "Long hours and can be hard labor." ((in 12 reviews))

What are the top reviewed National Park Service locations?

Washington , San Francisco , New York , Denver , Boston , Yellowstone National Park , Fort Collins , Yosemite National Park , Estes Park , Lakewood , Grand Canyon , Tucson , West Glacier , Bar Harbor , Gatlinburg , Marblemount , Lowell , Anchorage , Empire , Three Rivers , Port Angeles , Atlanta , Porter , Moab , Moose , Big Bend National Park , Rapid City , Thousand Oaks , Las Vegas , Philadelphia

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National Park Service

National Park Service reviews

3.5

42% would recommend to a friend

(839 total reviews)

Michael T. Reynolds

28% approve of CEO

21% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

3.4

Culture & values

3.4

Diversity & inclusion

3.4

Work/Life balance

3.1

Compensation and benefits

2.9

Career opportunities

2.6

Senior management

National Park Service has an employee rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars, based on 839 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The National Park Service employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Government & Public Administration industry (3.6 stars).

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Reviews by job title

839 reviews

2.0

Jan 8, 2014

Better in a bigger region maybe

It specialist

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Perfect if you love the outdoors and have the ability to move around the country

Cons

Outdated tech, little to no training, zero direction from region offices

3.0

Dec 12, 2013

The day-to-day was great, but the nature of seasonal work (no benefits, uncertain future) made it stressful long-term.

Visitor use assistant

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Working as Visitor Use Assistant is enjoyable, relatively-low stress work, often carried out amidst gorgeous terrain. The pay was pretty good in light of how easy the work was.

Cons

It is hard to advance because of all the entitlement programs, like Veteran's preference points, that make it almost impossible for an outsider to land a permanent job. Between the entitlements, rampant nepotism, and favoritism, it is hard to get anywhere in the NPS based on merit alone. Depending on where you work, it can be hard to have any sort of life outside your park unit.

5.0

Feb 25, 2013

Best people, organization, and management I have worked with in my career.

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Mission. People. Once you become part of the family, you can never get out... even if you try. Who doesn't like the National Parks?

Cons

If you are a thought leader, expect resistance from the entrenched old timers. The culture of the organization resists change, and that is likely for good reason being that they employ people in the business of preservation...

Viewing 64 - 66 of 839 Reviews

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Jobs at National Park Service

Visitor Services Assistant (Seasonal)

Administrative Support Assistant (Seasonal)

Field Unit Local Hiring Authority (FUL) - Maintenance Worker

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Ratings by demographic groups

Reviews by job title

Better in a bigger region maybe

The day-to-day was great, but the nature of seasonal work (no benefits, uncertain future) made it stressful long-term.

Best people, organization, and management I have worked with in my career.

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