Author

Yasmine Tom

Date of Award

7-2-2024

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Abstract

Employee retention has been a struggle for the National Park Service. In a 2023 survey, the NPS ranked 385 out of 432 federal agencies in terms of employee satisfaction (Partnership for Public Service, 2023). Even in its formative years, employees complained about disparities in parks like Yellowstone (Albright, 1985). Yellowstone was established in 1872 and today boasts a cross-generational workforce. In 2023, several major concerns were identified in the State of the Park compendium (State of the Park, 2023). Further research may improve employee retention. In this project, a mixed methods research (MMR) approach was used to identify employment trends in Yellowstone. The variables, government shutdowns, affordable housing, and succession training programs, were examined. Other issues related to employee retention were also discovered. Data was collected from over 100 employees (n=101 quantitative; n=12 qualitative). The results, derived from the inputs, processes, and outputs (IPO), will hopefully provide Park managers with data-driven solutions to improve employee retention.

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