{"id":2422818,"date":"2025-04-12T11:11:01","date_gmt":"2025-04-12T15:11:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/government-scientists-leadership-teams-forced-to-get-their-hands-dirty-after-being-handed-custodial-shifts\/"},"modified":"2025-04-12T11:14:02","modified_gmt":"2025-04-12T15:14:02","slug":"government-scientists-leadership-teams-forced-to-get-their-hands-dirty-after-being-handed-custodial-shifts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/government-scientists-leadership-teams-forced-to-get-their-hands-dirty-after-being-handed-custodial-shifts\/","title":{"rendered":"Government Scientists, Leadership Teams Forced to Get Their Hands Dirty After Being Handed Custodial Shifts"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">30<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fgovernment-scientists-leadership-teams-forced-to-get-their-hands-dirty-after-being-handed-custodial-shifts%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2422818&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/report-georgia-secretary-of-state-brad-raffensperger-neglected-to-protect-georgians-by-allowing-dominion-voting-machines-in-elections-he-didnt-prevent-fraud-he-provided-f\/\" title=\"REPORT: Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger Neglected to Protect Georgians By Allowing Dominion Voting Machines in Elections \u2013 He Didn\u2019t Prevent Fraud \u2013 He Provided for It\">recent report highlights<\/a> changes at Yosemite National Park due to the Trump administration&#8217;s push for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-sends-warning-to-all-senate-republicans-regarding-bidens-nominations\/\" title=\"Trump Sends Warning &#039;To All Senate Republicans&#039; Regarding Biden&#039;s Nominations\">greater government efficiency<\/a>, resulting in delays in hiring seasonal staff. consequently,park scientists,rangers,and IT workers will temporarily take on restroom cleaning duties. internal communications revealed that employees from various scientific backgrounds,including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/florida-residents-report-breathing-issues-burning-eyes-amid-toxic-red-tide-algae-flare-up\/\" title=\"Florida residents report breathing issues, burning eyes amid toxic red tide algae flare-up\">wildlife specialists<\/a> and biologists,will be required to clean restrooms at least once during this period. Some staff expressed frustration with the leadership\u2019s reluctance to resist these changes, though it was noted that this arrangement is not intended to be permanent and is expected to last until early May.<\/p>\n<p>In light of this situation, park officials explored alternatives like using volunteers or custodial services, but these options proved unfeasible in the given timeframe. Portable toilets were considered but deemed inadequate for visitor service standards. Chief of Staff joe Meyer asserted efforts are underway to fill staffing vacancies, and it was emphasized that performing such tasks is not inherently shameful.Employees were encouraged to maintain morale,with some expressing pride in contributing to park services,asserting that even if the work is unpleasant,it is necessary for the upkeep of the park enjoyed by visitors.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>President Donald Trump&rsquo;s effort to maximize government efficiency is shaking things up at Yosemite National Park.<\/p>\n<p>On Friday, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfgate.com\/california-parks\/article\/yosemite-national-park-scientists-clean-bathrooms-20271616.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SFGate reported<\/a> that the park&rsquo;s delay in hiring seasonal employees &mdash; caused by the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/kellyanne-conway-says-democrats-big-dilemma-trump-trade-tariff-success-stories-emerge\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Trump administration<\/a> &mdash; will have scientists, park rangers, and IT <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">workers taking shifts cleaning public restrooms<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>SFGate acquired an internal  that detailed information about the Resources Management and Science Division&rsquo;s new responsibilities as employees like wildlife specialists, biologists, and hydrologists will need to pick up at least one cleaning shift each.<\/p>\n<p>The employee who relayed the  said, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m not above cleaning a bathroom but personally am sick of our leadership not pushing back on anything and just towing the line.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Another  said this is not a permanent arrangement, as Superintendent Stephanie Burkhart wants employees for this work for mid-<a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/nationwide-boycott-walmart-planned-april-7\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">April<\/a> though early May; however, that is a minimum <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/president-trump-to-make-a-major-political-comeback\/\" title=\"President Trump to make a major political comeback\">time frame<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p> <script type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\tif ( getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"stnvideo\").remove() \t\t\t} else { \t\t\t\tdocument.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\", function() { \t\t\t\t\tfunction loadScript(src) { \t\t\t\t\t\tconst script=document.createElement(\"script\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tscript.src=src; \t\t\t\t\t\tscript.async=true; \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.body.appendChild(script); \t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\tfunction findPreviousParagraph(selector, x) { \t\t\t\t\t\tconst targetElement=document.querySelector(selector); \t\t\t\t\t\tif (!targetElement) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.warn(\"Target element not found.\"); \t\t\t\t\t\t\treturn null; \t\t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Get all <\/p>\n<p> elements in order as they appear in the document \t\t\t\t\t\tlet paragraphs=Array.from(document.querySelectorAll(\"p\"));  \t\t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Find the index of the last <\/p>\n<p> before the target element \t\t\t\t\t\tlet targetIndex=paragraphs.findIndex(p=> p.compareDocumentPosition(targetElement) & Node.DOCUMENT_POSITION_PRECEDING);  \t\t\t\t\t\tif (targetIndex===-1 || targetIndex <x) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.warn(\"Not enough paragraphs before the target element.\"); \t\t\t\t\t\t\treturn null; \t\t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\t\treturn paragraphs[targetIndex - x]; \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Set up IntersectionObserver \t\t\t\t\tfunction observeElement(element) { \t\t\t\t\t\tif (!element) return;  \t\t\t\t\t\tconst observer=new IntersectionObserver( \t\t\t\t\t\t\t(entries)=> { \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tentries.forEach(entry=> { \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tif (entry.isIntersecting) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.log(\"Paragraph is now visible:\", entry.target.textContent.trim()); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloadScript(\"https:\/\/embed.sendtonews.com\/player3\/embedcode.js?fk=s28Az7AY\"); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tobserver.disconnect(); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t}, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t{ threshold: 0.5 } \/\/ Adjust threshold as needed \t\t\t\t\t\t);  \t\t\t\t\t\tobserver.observe(element); \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Find the 1st paragraph before #stnvideo and observe it \t\t\t\t\tlet paragraphToObserve=findPreviousParagraph(\"#stnvideo\", 2); \t\t\t\t\tobserveElement(paragraphToObserve); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> <\/p>\n<p>Ken Yager founded Yosemite Facelift, a park clean-up organization. Yager asked whether leadership would also be working to fill in the gaps.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m curious about how far up the chain of command this goes,&rdquo; he said, asking, &ldquo;Is the superintendent expected to clean toilets? I don&rsquo;t want to insult anybody, but I&rsquo;m curious. Are there division chiefs doing it?&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>SFGate said the park looked at other options like volunteers or using custodial services, but none of the options proposed would work in the time frame.<\/p>\n<p>Portable toilets were also considered but were not seen as up to the standard of service the park wants to provide visitors.<\/p>\n<p>Chief of Staff Joe Meyer said the park is trying its best to hire, claiming Yosemite has been approved for more hirings that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/republican-last-undecided-2024-race-big-win-court-order-puts-65000-votes-doubt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2024<\/a>, but &ldquo;key vacancies&rdquo; remain.<\/p>\n<p>There&rsquo;s nothing inherently shameful or wrong with doing this type of work.<\/p>\n<p>If park specialists and scientists truly care about the state of Yosemite for the American people to enjoy to its fullest, they would do what needs to be done.<\/p>\n<p>Nobody would say they &ldquo;enjoy&rdquo; cleaning toilets, but millions of Americans working jobs in the private sector do things they don&rsquo;t enjoy every day.<\/p>\n<p>This writer can recall working as an adjunct college instructor not too long ago while stocking shelves at a department store for the added income.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/fired-government-employees-mar-yosemite-national-park-disgraceful-display\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Government employees<\/a> are not above these expectations.<\/p>\n<p>SFGate did report some employees were not letting their new duties drag down morale, as one commented after custodial training, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m proud to be wearing the same uniform as everyone else here, and I&rsquo;m proud to be your colleague,&rdquo; to others in the group.<\/p>\n<p>This is simply the public sector leaning what the rest of us know &mdash; for better or worse, sometimes you just do the work that&rsquo;s expected of you.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey==typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts={ \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs=[ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i=0; i <inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! ( opts[inputs[i]]=document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"' + inputs[i] + '\"]' ).value ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .required-message' ).style.display='block'; \t\t\t\t\t\treturn; \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction input[type=\"submit\"]' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).src=firefly_loading_gif_url; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='inline-block';  \t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( 'ma subbing' );  \t\t\t\t\tif( firefly_post_id ) opts['post_id']=firefly_post_id;  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Send the data using post with element id name and name2*\/ \t\t\t\t\tvar posting=jQuery.post( firefly_ajax_url, opts );  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Alerts the results *\/ \t\t\t\t\tposting.done( function( response ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tif( response.success ) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( response.data ); \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-confirm' ).style.display='block';  \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdataLayer.push( { 'event': 'submit-correction' } ); \t\t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> \t     \t\t\t\t\t\t     \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><script>console.log(\"ad slot (BA1)\")<\/script> \t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>President Donald Trump&#8217;s initiative to enhance government efficiency is causing changes at Yosemite National Park. According to a report from SFGate, the park&#8217;s delay in hiring seasonal staff\u2014due to the Trump administration\u2014means that scientists, park rangers, and IT personnel will be required to take turns cleaning public restrooms. An internal document obtained by SFGate outlined new responsibilities for employees such as wildlife specialists and biologists, who will each need to complete at least one cleaning shift. One employee expressed frustration with leadership for not advocating against these changes, stating they are willing to clean but are tired of the lack of pushback from management. Although this arrangement is temporary, with Superintendent Stephanie Burkhart aiming to have staff available for this work from mid-April through early May, it remains a minimum timeframe.<\/p>\n<p>Ken Yager, founder of Yosemite Facelift\u2014a park cleanup organization\u2014questioned whether leadership would also participate in these duties and how far up the chain of command this expectation extends. He wondered if division chiefs or even the superintendent would be expected to clean toilets. The park considered alternatives like volunteers or custodial services but found them unsuitable within the necessary timeframe; portable toilets were also deemed inadequate for visitor standards.<\/p>\n<p>Chief of Staff Joe Meyer stated that Yosemite is making efforts to hire more staff and has received approval for additional hires beyond 2024; however, there are still &#8220;key vacancies.&#8221; While no one enjoys cleaning toilets per se, many Americans in various jobs perform tasks they may not find enjoyable daily. Some employees have maintained morale despite their new responsibilities; one remarked after custodial training about pride in wearing the same uniform as their colleagues.<\/p>\n<p>This situation reflects a reality faced by public sector workers: sometimes you must fulfill expectations regardless of personal preference<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2422819,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Yosemite.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[53328,5045,50402,11487,53329],"class_list":["post-2422818","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-custodial","tag-government","tag-leadership-2","tag-scientists","tag-teamwork-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Yosemite.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2422818","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2422818"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2422818\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2422822,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2422818\/revisions\/2422822"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2422819"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2422818"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2422818"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2422818"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}