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 76 reviews)); "The coworkers are great and truly want to protect the cultural and natural wonders of this country." ((in 59 reviews)); "Good benefits (especially health insurance) even as a seasonal employee" ((in 49 reviews)); "Great work environment." ((in 31 reviews)); "Great opportunities for job diversity and protecting invaluable resources" ((in 18 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 97 reviews)); "Poor management training and diversity awareness" ((in 38 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

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

Company ratings over time

Ratings trend for the last 6 months (839 reviews)

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

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).

Reviews by job title

839 reviews

3.0

May 6, 2011

Great agency with mediocre leaders

Management assistant

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

If you're passionate about conservation or the outdoors, you can't beat the satisfaction of going to work at NPS every day.

Cons

Professional development is really hit or miss. Depending on your particular supervisor, you can either have a great mentor and really interesting opportunities or you can waste away in a no feedback, no learning, no opportunities pit.

1.0

Apr 22, 2011

Managers and leaders make all the difference.

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Work at beautiful places throughout the service. For the most part, working outdoors and meeting people from all over the world. If you want to make a difference in preserving cultural and natural resources, then this maybe the place for you.

Cons

I agree with those that wrote: "What a joke" and " Not as prefect as everyone thinks." I worked for good competent managers here before and now currently for bad managers who have no people and listening skills. These people in middle and upper management with their bad management style have turned operations upside down. They recently forced out many respectable, long serving staff under them. So it all depends what NPS site you are at and who your managers are. I would say, research the current managers at where you want to work. If you can, visit the site first and talk to the front line staff. Understand the current cultural working environment there and if you can live with it. But I would not recommend you come to my site now. Maybe in a few years when these people move on. Look for other parks that appreciate your service and let you do your good work.

4.0

Feb 13, 2011

Fun

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Fun, work outdoors, pay is decent if you're starting off. Cheap housing. You can stay in shape by hiking a lot.

Cons

Slow career advancement. Difficult to make jump from seasonal to permanent. Usually living in rural areas far from supermarkets and services.

Viewing 829 - 831 of 839 Reviews

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Jobs at National Park Service

Maintenance Worker (Seasonal)