Montana — In the midst of an ongoing overhaul at the National Park Service, a new leader will take on a leadership role at a National Historic Site.
The Daily Montanan reports that Glacier National Park superintendent Dave Roemer will also be in charge of Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site. The administration officer at Glacier, Emily Keil, will also help out at the National Historic Site. While these two national parks are in the same state, what makes this move a little peculiar is that they’re a three and a half hours drive away from each other.
The reasoning for the move appears to be from the DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) cuts that occurred earlier this year. Back in February, the Trump administration announced a reduction in the National Park Service’s workforce, which included firing 1000 of its employees (some of which are being rehired because of court rulings), while other workers have accepted buyouts.
However, the leadership changes could also be interpreted as adding stable (albeit distant) leadership to a historic site that hasn’t been fully staffed over the past few years. They have been searching for an Administrative Officer for months, and it had an acting (i.e., interim) superintendent since 2022. However, the plan is still to hire 7700 seasonal workers for the peak months this year.
The Daily Montanan reached out to the National Park Service with questions regarding the leadership changes. The news publication received the following prompted response:
“The National Park Service is hiring seasonal workers to continue enhancing the visitor experience as we embrace new opportunities for optimization and innovation in workforce management. We are focused on ensuring that every visitor has the chance to explore and connect with the incredible, iconic spaces of our national parks.
NPS is working closely with the Office of Personnel Management to ensure we are prioritizing fiscal responsibility for the American people. As always, NPS will continue to provide critical services and deliver excellent customer service.
Our teams are dedicated to staffing to meet the evolving needs of our visitors, ensuring memorable and meaningful experiences for all.
We’re committed to keeping access to national parks seamless, so that everyone can enjoy the beauty and wonder of these treasured landscapes across the country.
NPS employees nationwide are preparing for an exciting peak season, with a shared goal of delivering exceptional service and unforgettable park experiences.”
The Ranch got its start in the 19th century, when Johnny and James Grant began to sell cattle to emigrants who were traveling across the Oregon Trail. The ranch itself was created in 1862, and was expanded by cattle tycoon Conrad Kohrs. The Montana ranch was designated as a National Historic Site in 1972 to honor its legacy as a key driver in growing the cattle industry out west.
Image/Video Credits: Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, National Park Diaries
