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

Item: National Park Service
Rating: 2
Author: Park Ranger

3.5

42% would recommend to a friend

(839 total reviews)

Michael T. Reynolds

28% approve of CEO

21% positive business outlook

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

4.0

Aug 26, 2008

Your co-workers become your 2nd family - especially in the remote parks.

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Introducing people to the National Parks who have never been. Especially those who have a national park in their back yard and don't even realize it. Safety is very important!

Cons

The stigma of being a federal employee.

2.0

Aug 10, 2008

Not as perfect a job as everyone thinks

Park ranger

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Quite simply, your work is in places that others go to vacation. Job security is pretty strong as its a government job. Health benefits and retirement benefits are average, but not as great as people may think. Salary is hit or miss based on where you live. Low cost of living areas, Fed salaries oftentimes are great compared to similar jobs in private sector. High cost of living areas, you will scrape by as cost of living salary adjustments are ridiculously undervalued for these high cost areas.

Cons

As a government bureaucracy, competency and efficiency are not a part of the work culture. Salaries oftentimes do not match the responsibilities. Very little effective communication occurs although its severity is affected at a local level as there are over 360+ parks not including support offices, DC headquarters, and regional offices. Very little uniformity in operations as much of the NPS is decentralized. What is a fun place to work in place, could not be so much in an another. Hiring is inefficient and localized to a certain extent. Your mileage regarding training, career development, leadership, respect, and feedback may vary depending where you work and who you work for in this agency. You will work with some dedicated people as well as some people who you wonder why they even applied for the job. This job can have as much stress, angst, and frustration as any other job out there. Don't be fooled into thinking its all about going hiking for a living.

Viewing 838 - 839 of 839 Reviews

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Jobs at National Park Service

Maintenance Worker (Seasonal)

Field Unit Local Hiring Authority (FUL) - Administrative Support Assistant (OA)

Office Support Clerk (OA) (Seasonal)

Field Unit Local Hiring Authority (FUL) - Administrative Support Assistant (OA)

Visitor Services Assistant (Seasonal)