'Going to Be a S***show': Parks, Interior Struggle to Hire Temporary Staff Ahead of Busy Season

Why It Matters

Insufficient staffing jeopardizes park safety, visitor experience, and the federal government's ability to combat escalating wildfire threats, potentially prompting congressional scrutiny and budget adjustments.

Key Takeaways

• Interior down 14% seasonal staff vs 2024
• HR staff cut 18%, causing onboarding delays
• Seasonal hires 33% below target, risking visitor services
• Permanent workforce shrank 17% since Jan 2025
• Wildland fire hires stay at 5,700 despite staffing gaps

Pulse Analysis

The National Park Service relies on a surge of seasonal workers each spring to manage the influx of tourists and to support wildfire suppression efforts. In 2025 the department aimed to hire 7,700 temporary staff, yet internal data show only about 5,150 have been onboarded, a shortfall of roughly one‑third. This gap is compounded by a 14% decline in seasonal headcount compared with the previous year and a 17% reduction in permanent employees across the Interior Department since January. The resulting staffing crunch threatens the quality of visitor services, from campsite check‑ins to trail maintenance, and could diminish the agency’s capacity to respond swiftly to fire incidents.

Behind the numbers lies a deeper human‑resources crisis. The department’s HR workforce has contracted by 18%, and recent “deferred resignation” incentives forced more than 100 additional HR staff out the door. With fewer personnel to process background checks, security clearances, and onboarding paperwork, new hires face delayed start dates, some pushed into June. The bureaucratic slowdown is exacerbated by a tarnished employer brand; political questionnaire changes and past payroll mishaps have deterred potential applicants, further shrinking the talent pool at a time when demand spikes.

The operational implications are stark. Parks already report critical vacancies—some locations have a single permanent custodian and no rangers to oversee trails. As the nation celebrates its 250th birthday, visitor numbers are expected to rise, intensifying pressure on understaffed sites. Simultaneously, the wildfire season looms, with the Interior promising to maintain roughly 5,700 fire personnel despite broader cuts. If staffing gaps persist, Congress may be forced to revisit funding mechanisms like the Great American Outdoors Act to shore up both seasonal and permanent positions, ensuring the agency can fulfill its dual mandate of recreation and public safety.