Government Scientists, Leadership Teams Forced to Get Their Hands Dirty After Being Handed Custodial Shifts
A recent report highlights changes at Yosemite National Park due to the Trump administration’s push for greater government efficiency, resulting in delays in hiring seasonal staff. consequently,park scientists,rangers,and IT workers will temporarily take on restroom cleaning duties. internal communications revealed that employees from various scientific backgrounds,including wildlife specialists and biologists,will be required to clean restrooms at least once during this period. Some staff expressed frustration with the leadership’s reluctance to resist these changes, though it was noted that this arrangement is not intended to be permanent and is expected to last until early May.
In light of this situation, park officials explored alternatives like using volunteers or custodial services, but these options proved unfeasible in the given timeframe. Portable toilets were considered but deemed inadequate for visitor service standards. Chief of Staff joe Meyer asserted efforts are underway to fill staffing vacancies, and it was emphasized that performing such tasks is not inherently shameful.Employees were encouraged to maintain morale,with some expressing pride in contributing to park services,asserting that even if the work is unpleasant,it is necessary for the upkeep of the park enjoyed by visitors.
President Donald Trump’s effort to maximize government efficiency is shaking things up at Yosemite National Park.
On Friday, SFGate reported that the park’s delay in hiring seasonal employees — caused by the Trump administration — will have scientists, park rangers, and IT workers taking shifts cleaning public restrooms.
SFGate acquired an internal that detailed information about the Resources Management and Science Division’s new responsibilities as employees like wildlife specialists, biologists, and hydrologists will need to pick up at least one cleaning shift each.
The employee who relayed the said, “I’m not above cleaning a bathroom but personally am sick of our leadership not pushing back on anything and just towing the line.”
Another said this is not a permanent arrangement, as Superintendent Stephanie Burkhart wants employees for this work for mid-April though early May; however, that is a minimum time frame.
Ken Yager founded Yosemite Facelift, a park clean-up organization. Yager asked whether leadership would also be working to fill in the gaps.
“I’m curious about how far up the chain of command this goes,” he said, asking, “Is the superintendent expected to clean toilets? I don’t want to insult anybody, but I’m curious. Are there division chiefs doing it?”
SFGate said the park looked at other options like volunteers or using custodial services, but none of the options proposed would work in the time frame.
Portable toilets were also considered but were not seen as up to the standard of service the park wants to provide visitors.
Chief of Staff Joe Meyer said the park is trying its best to hire, claiming Yosemite has been approved for more hirings that 2024, but “key vacancies” remain.
There’s nothing inherently shameful or wrong with doing this type of work.
If park specialists and scientists truly care about the state of Yosemite for the American people to enjoy to its fullest, they would do what needs to be done.
Nobody would say they “enjoy” cleaning toilets, but millions of Americans working jobs in the private sector do things they don’t enjoy every day.
This writer can recall working as an adjunct college instructor not too long ago while stocking shelves at a department store for the added income.
Government employees are not above these expectations.
SFGate did report some employees were not letting their new duties drag down morale, as one commented after custodial training, “I’m proud to be wearing the same uniform as everyone else here, and I’m proud to be your colleague,” to others in the group.
This is simply the public sector leaning what the rest of us know — for better or worse, sometimes you just do the work that’s expected of you.
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