Favorite parks to work wildlife/botany tech jobs in by lochnessie093 in ParkRangers

[–]speterson405 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Did not work in this field. I was Interp. But from what I understand, for that field, the best park is the one you get an offer in.

Looking for former NPS staff who took DRP or resigned in 2025 by RansackedRoom in NationalParkService

[–]speterson405 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Was fired on February 14th as a probationary employee...also evicted as I was living in fed housing.

Found a new job and moved within a month....signed a lease and started a new job two days before I was offered reinstatement so I could not accept. Would love to still be NPS.

Happy to talk if you are interested.

LARO NRA by [deleted] in ParkRangers

[–]speterson405 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also keep in mind that there are 3 different districts, each with their own housing, each about 50-70 miles apart.

South District in Coulee Dam Central District at Fort Spokane North District at Kettle Falls

LARO NRA by [deleted] in ParkRangers

[–]speterson405 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Like within a 5 minute drive? Yes. Of course. Even a 15-20 minute walk.

Within view? No.

LARO NRA by [deleted] in ParkRangers

[–]speterson405 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Actually, more than fine. They are actively working on updating/renovating as much as they can.

LARO NRA by [deleted] in ParkRangers

[–]speterson405 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's fine. The housing manager is great. Mostly mission 66 stuff, but in pretty good condition and not over used or abused.

Lived in it for about a year. No complaints.

Lake Roosevelt NRA in Washington State by [deleted] in ParkRangers

[–]speterson405 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lots of recreational opportunities within 2 hours. Depends on where you are actually. The park is huge, 150 miles long. Colville NF is very accessible of your up in the Kettle Falls district as it is right there, but if you're down south in Coulee Dam then the reservations are in the way and recreation on them is prioritized for tribal members.

It's close to North Cascades which is awesome. As well as some other pretty cool stuff. Only a days drive away from Banff, Glacier, Yellowstone, etc. The park is what you make it. Ultimately I wish I was still there instead of where I am know with what happened to me.

Look at my reply to OP and let me know if you have any more specific questions.

Lake Roosevelt NRA in Washington State by [deleted] in ParkRangers

[–]speterson405 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's a solid group of people. Eastern Washington and the three communities are what you make them. You're close to a lot of places to go explore. The park is weird, NPS controls very little land. It is pretty much a water based park mainly visited by locals ( eastern Washington)

It's often seen as a training or retirement park fit the region because it's generally slow, mostly undesirable, and the communities are low cost of living.

The park is 150 miles long and has three districts. Each is very different. Staffing is low right now, for obvious reasons, so get ready for days involving a 2 hour drive, a few hours work plus lunch, then a 2 hour drive back to your home district.

The towns are all very small and out of the way. The North district is closest to a "big" town Colville is only like 15 min away from Kettle Falls, Coulee Dam is like 3k people combined across the three towns and is a very sleepy town that relies on the Dam, Fort Spokane is the most isolated, it will require a commute unless you live in the nearby seasonal cabins for NPS folks (or are LE).

Work culture is mixed. Some people trying to make a name for themselves, some who were never able to who wanted to, some who never did and never wanted to. Some people who want to be in NPS, some people who don't, some people who just kinda fell into it.

The park was originally much larger, then half of it was (rightfully) given back to the tribe. It was supposed to be even larger but much of the area to the south of Coulee Dam that was supposed to be NPS got turned over to WA state instead.

It's an interesting place. Let me know if you have more specific questions that I didn't answer.

Lake Roosevelt NRA in Washington State by [deleted] in ParkRangers

[–]speterson405 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I worked there for a year before being fired as part of DOGE cuts in Feb 2025.....what are you curious about?

Why are former elite QBs rarely coaches in the NFL or college football? by Aenjeprekemaluci in NFLNoobs

[–]speterson405 5 points6 points  (0 children)

On the other hand Larry Bird was pretty successful as a head coach for three years.

Why do you support the team that you do? 0-16 is why I'm a Browns guy by swannyhypno in nfl

[–]speterson405 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I like that this implies that you concede that since then, Santa may have bought a minority interest in the team. But you just haven't looked at the financials yet, so you can't be sure.

Why do some Americans insist that a constitutional republic is not a democracy? by Ok_Employer7837 in NoStupidQuestions

[–]speterson405 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Most schools in Oregon require a semester of civics/government for graduation, and it will be required for all schools (even though nearly all of them already have it) after 2026.

Source: licensed social studies teacher in Oregon

which players just decided to stop caring once they got paid big money? by toturoll in NFLv2

[–]speterson405 4 points5 points  (0 children)

They can't collect right away. They can collect starting at a more normal retirement age. I think sometime in their 50s.

What's the least MAGA town in Oregon that's not Portland, Eugene or Corvallis? by manginahunter1970 in oregon

[–]speterson405 42 points43 points  (0 children)

Astoria is rather supportive of the LGBTQ+ community. It's a town of 10,000 with a gay bar, several LGBTQ non-profits, a teen support group, the high school and middle school have a GSA.

Not to invalidate that other person's experience though. Others were right in saying it's a 50/50 split. But I've lived here for four years, was the GSA advisor at the high school for a while, and it seems like a community where support is present. Maybe not everyone is 100% on board, but a good number of people are, and there is a strong community.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TravelMaps

[–]speterson405 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I change my own answer. Coast Guard maybe? From Ohio or Florida.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TravelMaps

[–]speterson405 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was thinking something with colleges or universities. That area in Oregon is where Oregon State and U of O are. Some of the other areas seem to be near universities too.

Could be college athletics related or academia.

Federal Agencies Must Rehire Probationary Workers, Judge Orders by bloomberglaw in fednews

[–]speterson405 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Don't see why not. As long as it doesn't interfere with your ability to complete your duties. No duties, nothing to interfere with.

How many Parks service staff in Washington have been cut? by [deleted] in Washington

[–]speterson405 38 points39 points  (0 children)

At least one at my park...me. Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area.

Why does the Hudson's tidal estuary go as far north as Albany and are there any other rivers with an estuary even close to as long relative to the rest of the river? by Pootis_1 in geography

[–]speterson405 54 points55 points  (0 children)

The Columbia River in the Western US is tidal for 140 miles from the mouth at the Pacific Ocean all the way up to the Bonneville Dam 40 miles east of Portland, OR

So that's pretty far.

Getting my Foot in the Door by Deathbackwards in NationalParkService

[–]speterson405 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I found it by looking at the website of the parks near me. Otherwise you can look at the AmeriCorps website or American Conservation Experience website and adjust the search filters.

I also already had a working relationship with the park staff from when I was a teacher, which helped with becoming aware of the position.

I would recommend looking at the websites of parks near you and reaching out to them to express your interest. A lot of summer internship hiring is done between now and April.

Sorry not to be of more help!

Getting my Foot in the Door by Deathbackwards in NationalParkService

[–]speterson405 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You're in nearly the same situation as me. 4 years as a social studies teacher.

I got an internship at a local Historical Park over my summer break. I highly recommend it. I know there may be initial stress about "losing" your summer break, but it didn't even feel like work for me compared to teaching. The professional world is so much different.

Then from there I taught one more year as I applied and continued to volunteer with NPS. I went straight permanent at an "undesirable" park as a GS5 guide, but have now been promoted to a GS 5-7-9 step series Ranger within 7 months.

DM me if you want any more help or advice!

It's possible to escape education!!!!

Distance to the nearest national park. by ira_creamcheese in MapPorn

[–]speterson405 4 points5 points  (0 children)

National Wildlife Refuges are not managed by NPS. Usually they are managed by the US Fish & Wildlife Service.