Iowa park ranger frustrated by sudden layoff as part of Trump purge

[cigaretteman]

Deplorable:

An Iowan was among 1,000 National Park Services employees unexpectedly fired on Valentine's Day.

Brian Gibbs' Facebook post announcing his sudden departure garnered more than 73,000 reactions, over 11,000 comments and 180,000 shares — something the former Effigy Mounds education park ranger didn't expect but knew was a story he needed to tell.

"My life every day is that I put on the green and gray. That is who I have been the past year," Gibbs said in an interview. "Long term, I'm not sure what's next."

The fired National Parks Service members are part of President Donald Trump's efforts to shrink the federal workforce, writes Pete Thomas of For The Win, USA Today. The National Parks Service has yet to officially announce the layoffs.


'It's a lie':Federal workers incensed by performance language in termination letters

The 1,000 workers are roughly 5% of the NPS workforce, which employs more than 20,000 people, according to the NPS website.

The announcement came alongside approval from the Trump administration to begin hiring 5,000 seasonal workers even though federal hiring had just been put on a freeze.


"Unfortunately, today’s cuts will leave parks understaffed, facing tough decisions about operating hours, public safety and resource protection," a release from the National Parks Conservation Association said Friday.

'I'm not sure what's next': National Park ranger in Iowa among thousands fired Friday

In a now viral post, recently-fired National Parks Service ranger Brian Gibbs from Iowa, detailed his firing and what it means for his family.

www.press-citizen.com

 

[cigaretteman]

"Before I could fully print off my government records, I was locked out of my email and unable to access my personal and professional records."

The email, obtained by the Register, contradicted what had earlier been told to Gibbs about his "excellent performance," stating:

"The Department determined that you have failed to demonstrate fitness or qualifications for continued employment because your subject matter knowledge, skills, and abilities do not meet the Department's current needs, and it is necessary to terminate, during the probationary period, your appointment..."

 

[h-hawk]

The past couple of years Iowa had already reduced the number of park personnel and taken away the housing for those who remained. Guess they think these parks maintain themselves.

 

[St. Louis Hawk]

 

[Joes Place]

 

[OrlandNole]

My understanding is that federal employees can only be terminated in this way for cause. Which is why you see so many termination letters referring to "fitness" for the job, despite glowing employee reviews. Get ready for a whole bunch of lawsuits.

 

[Jerome Silberman]

This one hits on multiple levels. I love the area and am saddened the people, especially school-aged children, are losing this resource. I also happen to know that Effigy Mounds is in a vulnerable position as far as maintenance and modernization that will be exacerbated by these cuts and closest to home is that the Gibbs family are good people. Brian isn't some kind of nefarious liberal sleeper cell, he's just a regular guy that cares deeply about preserving the history of the area and educating visitors.

 

[LunchBox50]

This one hits on multiple levels. I love the area and am saddened the people, especially school-aged children, are losing this resource. I also happen to k ow that Effigy Mounds is in a vulnerable position as far as maintenance and modernization that will be exacerbated by these cuts and closest to home is that the Gibbs family are good people. Brian isn't some kind of nefarious liberal sleeper cell, he's just a regular guy that cares deeply about preserving the history of the area and educating visitors.

The small community where I grew up also has a national monument and it's sad to know that it's going to be dealing with this. The monument there is historic and basically the only source of any tourism and outside revenue. (It's also in an incredibly red voting district.)

 

[Here_4_a_Day]

"Before I could fully print off my government records, I was locked out of my email and unable to access my personal and professional records."

The email, obtained by the Register, contradicted what had earlier been told to Gibbs about his "excellent performance," stating:

"The Department determined that you have failed to demonstrate fitness or qualifications for continued employment because your subject matter knowledge, skills, and abilities do not meet the Department's current needs, and it is necessary to terminate, during the probationary period, your appointment..."

Who is ever going to want hire a whiney phuck like this? JFC...it's not like he came back from the 'Stan missing parts. All that said, "How does he feel about learning how to code?" 🤣 🤣

 

[soonerinlOUisiana]

WTF is an “education park ranger”? Is that the guy in the Smokey uniform who basically recites the same audio that you hear at the multimedia stations? I remember such a guy at Ellis Island. Seemed like someone was looking for an excuse to give him a job.

 

[Rifler]

If cuts were coming, and you're a national park ranger assigned anywhere inside the state of Iowa you probably should have had your resume ready to go....

 

[lucas80]

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Looks like they are batting below the Mendoza line.

 

[lucas80]

If cuts were coming, and you're a national park ranger assigned anywhere inside the state of Iowa you probably should have had your resume ready to go....

You're in a cult. Good people doing good work are losing their jobs via emails from a foreign born oligarch with highly questionable legal authority.

 

[Here_4_a_Day]

You're in a cult. Good people doing good work are losing their jobs via emails from a foreign born oligarch with highly questionable legal authority.

But they will make far more money coding!!!!!!!!!

 

[Tom Paris]

If cuts were coming, and you're a national park ranger assigned anywhere inside the state of Iowa you probably should have had your resume ready to go....

I despise yours and other Republicans over the years lack of caring at all about people losing their jobs. It’s been a constant here.

 

[HawkNester]

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Don’t be surprised if they start shutting down National Parks to strip them of resources.

 

[lucas80]

I despise yours and other Republicans over the years lack of caring at all about people losing their jobs. It’s been a constant here.

I believe he’s told us over the years that he was a successful businessman. No competent business leader acts this way. No vision. No competence.

 

[Jerome Silberman]

If cuts were coming, and you're a national park ranger assigned anywhere inside the state of Iowa you probably should have had your resume ready to go....

I was unaware that DJT ran on reducing the National Park system.

 

[Crafty Beaver]

Back on 12/31/2001, my boss called me into his office & told me that he was letting me go, due to my refusal to sign a non-compete agreement. Totally took me off guard. I had 2 young kids and one more on the way.

CSB.

 

[Tom Paris]

I believe he’s told us over the years that he was a successful businessman. No competent business leader acts this way. No vision. No competence.

He’s great at bankruptcy though.

 

[Here_4_a_Day]

If only jo hadn't spent 4 years shipping $billions around the planet for sex changes and fag parties maybe they would have the funds to keep Ranger Rick on?!

 

[lucas80]

$20 says Rasmussen doesn’t do a poll on how popular this action by Elon is.

 

[lucas80]

Back on 12/31/2001, my boss called me into his office & told me that he was letting me go, due to my refusal to sign a non-compete agreement. Totally took me off guard. I had 2 young kids and one more on the way.

CSB.

Is there another national park system we should be worried about? Great irrelevant story from the private sector. People like their national parks. Making them less safe, less accessible and less enjoyable will be unpopular

 

[WadeLookingbill]

Seems like they are trying to use part of the playbook from privatizing prisons (coming soon to many, including the USPS, etc.).

Also seems like the plan is fire all these employees, put the moose out front with the "Sorry we're closed" sign, then ultimately rehire a few folks for pennies on the dollar, and the parks become free-for-alls. Then they'll say they have to reduce the size of the park due to these issues and inadequate staffing, which will free up land to be bought/sold/leased to the rich folks or mineral companies.

 

[artradley]

If cuts were coming, and you're a national park ranger assigned anywhere inside the state of Iowa you probably should have had your resume ready to go....

You are disgusting.

 

[Jimmy McGill]

Seems like they are trying to use part of the playbook from privatizing prisons (coming soon to many, including the USPS, etc.).

Also seems like the plan is fire all these employees, put the moose out front with the "Sorry we're closed" sign, then ultimately rehire a few folks for pennies on the dollar, and the parks become free-for-alls. Then they'll say they have to reduce the size of the park due to these issues and inadequate staffing, which will free up land to be bought/sold/leased to the rich folks or mineral companies.

I don't disagree with you. The problem is they have no plans once they destroy everything.

American's are going to get fvcked.

 

[NorthernHawkeye]

I despise yours and other Republicans over the years lack of caring at all about people losing their jobs. It’s been a constant here.

Layoffs/job losses have been happening in the private sector since the dawn of time. Government employees are no different. Welcome to the real world.

 

[Crafty Beaver]

Is there another national park system we should be worried about? Great irrelevant story from the private sector. People like their national parks. Making them less safe, less accessible and less enjoyable will be unpopular

I think the 95% of retained employees should try & make up for the loss of the 5%. Extraordinary times require extraordinary sacrifice.

 

[NorthernHawkeye]

The past couple of years Iowa had already reduced the number of park personnel and taken away the housing for those who remained. Guess they think these parks maintain themselves.

For the most part they pretty much do maintain themselves. Hire a park manager and some seasonal staff and it works just fine.

 

[IAFB2021Champs]

Sucks for him but he’s also working in a field where it’s easy to terminate someone. He should have known that as he worked seasonal for many years and was let go from a similar job in 2020 due to covid layoffs.
Not everyone gets to work their dream job. Sometimes you need to find a steady job that can support your family. It’s a job, not Fun-time where I also get paid.

 

[WadeLookingbill]

I don't disagree with you. The problem is they have no plans once they destroy everything.

American's are going to get fvcked.

Agreed on all accounts. Fvcking up the national parks is an unforgiveable offense, among many others.
Mid-terms in 21 months is the best hope to mitigate the damage at this point.

 

[noStemsnoSTICKS]

The money it's going to take to rebuild this country in four years. Wow.

 

[hawksurprize]

WTF is an “education park ranger”? Is that the guy in the Smokey uniform who basically recites the same audio that you hear at the multimedia stations? I remember such a guy at Ellis Island. Seemed like someone was looking for an excuse to give him a job.

Someone who has knowledge of the Flaura and fauna as well as wildlife and history of a national park. Someone who can spot changes in an ecosystem through familiarity with an area. I think these people are a valuable resource imo.

 

[HawkNester]

Layoffs/job losses have been happening in the private sector since the dawn of time. Government employees are no different. Welcome to the real world.

That’s not what is happening right now.

 

[NorthernHawkeye]

The money it's going to take to rebuild this country in four years. Wow.

The least surprising comment of the day.

 

[noStemsnoSTICKS]

The least surprising comment of the day.

Do you disagree?

 

[soonerinlOUisiana]

Someone who has knowledge of the Flaura and fauna as well as wildlife and history of a national park. Someone who can spot changes in an ecosystem through familiarity with an area. I think these people are a valuable resource imo.

Sounds like a job for scientists at a nearby university, like we do in Louisiana.

 

[Crafty Beaver]

The money it's going to take to rebuild this country in four years. Wow.

Obama had a $3.7T budget in the last year of his Presidency.

Why do we need twice that only 9 years later?

 

[4ohs]

Seems like they are trying to use part of the playbook from privatizing prisons (coming soon to many, including the USPS, etc.).

Also seems like the plan is fire all these employees, put the moose out front with the "Sorry we're closed" sign, then ultimately rehire a few folks for pennies on the dollar, and the parks become free-for-alls. Then they'll say they have to reduce the size of the park due to these issues and inadequate staffing, which will free up land to be bought/sold/leased to the rich folks or mineral companies.

You are putting way too much thought into the designs of Trumps “thinking”.

 

[Rifler]

Obama had a $3.7T budget in the last year of his Presidency.

Why do we need twice that only 9 years later?

We don't,.. and should be able to get back to $4T without much work at all.