Last updated: June 8, 2023
Article
My Park Story: Kendall Neisess
NPS/ Kendall Neisess
What was your pathway to the National Park Service (NPS)?
My early childhood was in southern California and during my teens I grew up in Page, AZ. I’ve always had family ties to Glen Canyon and was thrilled to move here as a young teenager. After I graduated high school I went into the US Air Force and spent 6 years on active duty. I then attended Northern Arizona University (NAU). While attending NAU I took a seasonal summer job as an emergency dispatcher at Rocky Mountain National Park. I was able to get the job because of the airborne communications work I did in the Air Force. That was my first NPS job and I fell in love with Rocky Mt. NP, but I still didn’t really have expectations of a career in the NPS. Upon graduating from college I applied for a few different jobs with various public land management agencies but didn’t find anything that really interested me. I spent about a year working at a public high-school and guiding smooth-water river trips on the Colorado River. I then accepted another emergency dispatcher position with Glen Canyon National Recreation Area/Rainbow Bridge National Monument and I’ve been at this park ever since. I worked in dispatch for 4 years and then accepted a position in the Planning and Compliance office, where I have been since 2016.
What interested you in the National Park Service?
After graduating from college I knew I wanted a job in an environmental field where I had the opportunity to affect positive change.
NPS/ Kendall Neisess
What do you do for NPS?
I develop National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents for the park, which involves analyzing and documenting the various potential environmental impacts of actions that take place within the park. As the Outdoor Recreation Planner, most of the NEPA documents I work on are related to recreation, however, within the Planning and Compliance Branch, we work together as a team on many projects. I also work on developing planning documents to find solutions to various problems within the park, or to guide management of the park and specific areas within the park. I really enjoy projects that are complex, multi-faceted and involve working with other folks across different divisions of the park and/or external partners. Some of my favorites are trail development projects and visitor use management endeavors.
What do you find most rewarding about your job?
I am incredibly grateful that the work I’m doing is important and has a lasting impact. I love knowing that when I retire I’ll be able to hike a trail in the park and know that I helped make it happen. Many projects require me to spend time out in the field, hiking, camping out or even river-rafting. When I’m outside working on those projects I feel like the luckiest person in the world. Getting paid to be out doing what I love and knowing that I’m helping to protect an amazing and incredible place is an absolute gift. I also love being out in the park and answering questions from visitors or helping them find fun places to explore.
NPS/ Kendall Neisess
What is your background? College? Study?
Earned an Extended Major Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies with an emphasis on the Southwest Environment.
What advice do you have for youth and young adults thinking about a career at NPS?
Be prepared to feel overwhelmed at times and understand that working for the federal government means that things don’t often happen quickly, but know that the work you will do is lasting and important. You will see amazing places, have experiences that many people dream of and make lasting friends. It can be really difficult to get your foot in the door but keep at it and make good connections.
What are your hobbies?
My other passions include trail running, making music, climbing (on the rare occasion I’m able to scrounge up a buddy for belay), camping, anything on the water, canyoneering, herbalism and adopting new hobbies I don’t have time for.