A "Barry Sweet" Summer Job...

About two months ago, a man named Barry Sweet came into my forestry classes to announce ranger job openings in Rocky Mountain National Park. I stuck around after to get information on how to apply, then hurried off to orchestra. I spent the walk between south and north campus telling Aaron Walker all the different reasons I probably shouldn't apply for this job (I should work music camp, who would pay my rent in Flagstaff for the summer, how could I live so far away from my family and friends on my own...), but my mind kept going back to the paper in my pocket.

When I got home from a walk that night, I decided there was nothing to lose by applying for the job. Now many of you might be wondering why I would ever want to work for a National Park--I'm a music major! The truth is, this is my dream job. Growing up, my summers would consist of a 2-3 week trip with my mom to New Hampshire to visit family, and then a 2-3 week camping trip with dad, visiting different National Parks and just living outside. I couldn't think of a better way to spend the summer than car rides, camping with no showers, hiking, backpacking, swimming in rivers, boating, etc. with my dad and sisters. I would tell him after a Ranger-led hike that that was exactly what I wanted to do when I grew up--teach music during the school year, but spend my summers as a ranger in a National Park!

Barry's piece of paper had two sets of instructions. One side of the paper had the instructions on the application procedure, specifically for NAU students. He mentioned in class that the park had so much luck with people from Flagstaff, that this procedure moved applications to the top 4% of the list. The back side of the paper had the instructions for applying on the USA JOBS website, where the rest of the world was filling out the online application. I figured it wouldn't hurt to do both, and had four applications (one on paper, and three USA JOBS) mailed in by the beginning of March.

Within that first week, I received my mail application back, with a letter that said I was ineligible to work in the park since I was already a senior. I immediately emailed the lady who addressed the letter, explaining the five-year degree process. She understood and said I could remail my application, but that it wouldn't get there in time for hiring. I was pretty upset, and soon received notice that I was ineligible for one of the online positions I applied for because I didn't have enough education. At this point, I was starting to think about where else I could work this summer, and turned in my summer music camp application.

The week before Spring Break, I got a phone call when I was in the shower. I listened to the message and couldn't believe the name was Barry Sweet! He called because he reviewed my application and wanted to set up a phone interview. We talked later that afternoon between a couple of my classes to set up the interview, and he also told me how the schedule works, what I would be doing, and other logistical information. The next Friday (March 27th) was my final interview, and Barry told me he would love to hire me on the spot, but needed to make sure he had one more seasonal position open since the China trip is cutting into the time I can work.

I got a call last Wednesday morning on my way to school though, and he announced that he would like to offer me the job as Park Ranger for Rocky Mountain National Park for the summer of 2009!!! I can't believe that my application made it to the top, especially since the one I mailed in didn't work. That means that out of every person who applied for the job in the country, I was the one he ended up wanting!

My official title will be Visitor's Use Assistant and I will be stationed in the Backcountry Office. I already have all the information to order my ranger uniform, including the Smokey the Bear hat, and I am so excited! I get back from China and into Flagstaff around 10pm on May 26th. May 27th, I will be making the fourteen hour drive to Estes Park, where I will start work the next day until August 15th! Another awesome part is that the schedule is on a two-week rotation, so you will always know when you work. I work five days, two off (weekend), work four days, three off (three-day weekend). That means every other weekend is a three-day weekend, and one day out of the five day week, I get paid to hike all day!! They already have a house set up for me where I will be living with three other girls, and I will have a mailbox that I hopefully will be using with all of you. My plan is to use this to update everyone on the inside life of a park ranger, so check in every now and then for updates!

In the meantime, I am going to start seeing what I can do to prevent any run-ins with Yogi...