How Will Federal Layoffs Impact Utah National Parks?

Millions of us flock to Utah’s Mighty Five National Parks every year, but federal downsizing by the Trump administration has resulted in an estimated 1,000 NPS workers losing their jobs nationwide. Here is what that means for us, in the style of a faux National Parks job board 📝

📌 Now Hiring: Custodial/Maintenance

Responsibilities: maintain trails, campgrounds, restrooms, roads, buildings, and other park facilities.

Unsurprisingly, one of the biggest jobs at national parks is keeping the restrooms in clean and working condition. Without these employees, many of the restrooms have to be closed, meaning it’ll be a long wait for an open toilet. In 2021, NPS employees at Zion removed almost 5 tons of human waste, more than 30,000 bags of trash and recycling, and more than 2,500 tons of rockfall and debris from roads.

📌 Now Hiring: Park Ranger

Responsibilities: enforce park rules, provide visitor information, lead guided tours.

The 35-day federal government shutdown in 2019 caused devastating effects to our national parks. The absence of park rangers led to closures and widespread vandalism. It’s likely you’ll see shorter park hours and longer lines.

📌 Now Hiring: Search & Rescue

Responsibilities: Assist with rescuing injured or lost guests.

Over 1,000 search and rescues were conducted in Utah’s Mighty Five between 2019 and 2023. Just this past weekend, an injured hiker was airlifted out of The Narrows in Zion National Park.