My Park Story : Diana Greymountain

Diana in Orange Cliffs overlooking the Flint Trail.

NPS/Diana Greymountain

Where are you from? What was your pathway to the National Park Service (NPS)?

I am from Page, Arizona. I started my career in the National Park Service in 2016 as a seasonal ranger. My first seasonal job was with the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) team working on the boat ramps. With AIS we were in charge of educating boaters about the quagga mussels and the clean drain dry protocols. After working with AIS for a few summers, I then got a job with interpretation as a term employee. With interpretation, I worked at the visitor center helping and educating visitors about Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. I also lead evening programs at the Wahweap Amphitheater, evening ranger hikes and education programs at the local school. After my term was over in interpretation, I worked as a seasonal with interpretation and AIS, until I landed a permanent position as a Special Use Permit Coordinator. The journey to get here was long but worth the wait.     

What interested you in the National Park Service?

When I was 16 and in the Girl Scouts I was deciding what to do for my Gold Award Project. Having both my parents and close family members working for the National Park Service, I always admire them. They each had different jobs in NPS but every job was important in achieving the NPS mission. Because of them, I have always loved the national parks and the outdoors. So, when choosing to work with the NPS for my Gold Award, it was important to me to be able to be part of the same mission. I decided to refurbish the Hanging Garden trail here at Glen Canyon. I worked closley with NPS and learned and gain a better understanding of the importance of protecting parks and all its resources.

Dressed up as her future career, Ranger Diana poses for a picture with family, 2001.

NPS/Diana Greymountain

What do you do for the NPS?

I work in Commercial Services, and I manage the Special Use Permit Program. I issue permits for weddings, fishing tournaments, commercial filming, and still photography.

What do you find most rewarding about your job?

Getting out and enjoying the park. As an interpretative ranger and an AIS ranger, I educated visitors about the park and the different things they can do and all the fun they can have in the park. With my current job, I am able to actually get out of the office and explore different sites and enjoy the different hiking trails I have always told visitors about. Beside getting to explore my park I have been able to travel and visit different national parks.

What advice do you have for youth and young adults thinking about a career at NPS?

Do it. A career in the NPS opens so many doors for you and give tons of opportunities. I have been lucky to have been given all the opportunities and it all because of the NPS. It is the best career decision I have made.

Diana exploring the park.

NPS/Diana Greymountain