What We Do

While most people probably know of the NPS when it comes to parks, did you know Yellowstone has hundreds of contracts with commercial operators to do business in the park? These operators provide services such as hotels, campgrounds, guided tours, and more! Today, Becky Wyman talks about her job overseeing these contracts to ensure we provide a world-class visitor experience. This is our final episode for season 1! Let us know what you think of the show and contact us at go.nps.gov/WhatWeDoPodcast.

Working for the National Park Service was never on Heather’s radar, but after interning at a few different NPS sites after college, she got bit by the parkie bug and discovered that working in parks was the right fit for her. Today, Heather joins us virtually to talk about her work as a remote administrative support assistant, or as Ranger Jake calls it, “the grease of the Yellowstone machine!” View definitions and links discussed in this episode at go.nps.gov/WhatWeDoPodcast

Katy Anderson always knew she wanted to work in national parks. From visiting Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior as a child to eventually working at a variety of parks across the country, Katy talks about her experience pursuing a law enforcement career with the National Park Service. Today, Katy joins us virtually from her temporary detail as acting chief ranger at Glacier National Park in northern Montana. View definitions and links discussed in this episode at go.nps.gov/WhatWeDoPodcast

Have you ever thought about how we maintain park roads that are exposed to some of the harshest conditions in the country? Brian Batzloff joins us today to talk about the challenges of maintaining roads that are subjected to geologic and volcanic pressures, extreme negative temperatures, dense snowpack, and use by millions of visitors annually! View park road status and seasonal opening/closing dates at go.nps.gov/YELLroads View definitions and links discussed in this episode at go.nps.gov/WhatWeDoPodcast

Among park rangers, there’s a running joke that we do a lot of pointing at things. From pointing out wildlife to pointing out the nearest bathroom, we’ve arguably mastered the art of pointing. But being a park ranger or park guide entails SO much more! Today’s guest, Park Guide Addy Falgoust, talks about her experiences teaching people about Yellowstone’s marvels and what it’s like to live and work in the park during winter. View definitions and links discussed in this episode at go.nps.gov/WhatWeDoPodcast

What do park rangers actually do? And how can you get involved? Tune in as we – Yellowstone park rangers Jake, Brett, Miles, and Ashton – introduce the park's brand-new podcast, "What We Do." A tip for our listeners: If you want to work for the National Park Service, start by creating an account on USAjobs.gov, building your resume, and searching for open positions within the NPS. Visit go.nps.gov/WhatWeDoPodcast for more info. Stay tuned for more episodes featuring park employees beginning March 20!