Seasonal hires for the National Park Service, positions that could involve interpretation or custodial jobs, have been placed on hold by the Trump administration/NPS file

More than 1,000 seasonal positions for the National Park Service have been put on hold by the Trump administration, which is notifying those told they had jobs that the offers they received have been withdrawn.

While the Office of Management and Budget early this week said seasonal positions wouldn't be affected by the hiring freeze implemented by the new administration, on Thursday "people all over the country who had been hired as seasonals for many, many parks got a notification over email that their job offer that they had was rescinded," Kristen Brengel, senior vice president at the National Parks Conservation Association, told the Traveler on Friday. 

"So, we are extremely worried about the workforce of the Park Service. The Park Service absolutely depends on the seasonal workforce in order to effectively manage parks, support visitors and just make sure the resources are protected," said Brengel. "If they don't fill the positions that had been opened, don't allow the hiring of seasonals, this could be so problematic for the parks, especially as the spring season begins."

Park managers were informed that as many as 1,400 positions were rescinded.

Park Service officials in Washington, D.C., did not immediately respond to an email seeking details on the situation.

Seasonal workers for the National Park Service have been receiving emails telling them their job offers have been rescinded.

One individual who lost their job posted the email they received on Reddit. It said simply that "the national Park Service is unable" to fill the position they had been offered.

"I was told to hang in there and hopefully it’ll just be a delayed start," said someone who responded to that post.

"My supervisor basically said the same: hang in there and wait for another email saying it’s all good," the initial poster replied. "FWIW he said he thinks it’ll happen soon, but I don’t think anyone really knows what is going on."

"Just got the same email for a dream term position with NPS starting in February. Just signed a lease and I’m supposed to move across the country in three days," wrote another. "I’m feeling so panicked and confused. I really hope we at least get some guidance moving forward soon."

One park supervisor on the thread said that, "I am trying to hire our summer rangers at my park… this has been such a strange experience. I feel terrible for everyone that is getting an offer rescinded."

Traveler footnote: If you had a Park Service job lined up only to have it rescinded, or are a supervisor wondering if you'll be able to fill your seasonal needs, please reach out to us at news at nationalparkstraveler dot org with your story.