What We Do Yellowstone National Park

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.

Yellowstone is one of the most remote places in the Lower 48, which presents unique challenges for telecommunications systems. Our technology services team provides computer, radio, and phone support for employees, maintains the communication center/dispatch services, and more. Today, Bret De Young gives us a peek into his job and provides tips for those interested in working in the growing telecommunications field for the NPS.

View definitions/links discussed in this episode 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

From park newspapers, maps, trail guides, and more, Yellowstone has a LOT of publications. Miles Barger, publications program manager, joins us to talk about his job writing, designing, and managing these dozens of printed materials. We discuss his professional journey since starting as a seasonal housekeeper at Canyon Village, as well as his nail-biting grizzly bear sighting during one of his first hiking trips in the park.

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

You might not think much about it whenever you flush a toilet or turn on a faucet. But for Jason Murphy, utility systems facility manager, that’s his job! In this episode, Jason talks about what it’s like managing some of the 44 water/wastewater systems in the park, how he and his team have been repairing systems damaged by the 2022 flood event, and he offers tips for listeners interested in pursuing a similar career.

View definitions and links discussed in this episode at go.nps.gov/WhatWeDoPodcast