Amid DOGE freeze, park rangers, scientists handling bathroom cleanup duties at Yosemite

They’ve been assigned a different kind of duty.A delay in seasonal hiring following DOGE layoffs has left Yosemite National Park in California with fewer custodial workers to clean up campground bathrooms.That doesn’t change the fact the bathrooms need regular cleaning though, especially with 4 million folks visiting the park each year between April and October.As a result, citing an internal email, all staffers are being called upon to pick up the slack, including supervisors and managers, SFGate reports.The highly-qualified scientists, rangers, IT workers and other year-round staffers remaining at Yosemite are being asked to volunteer — to clean bathrooms in shifts.The park’s Resources Management and Science Division, comprised of biologists, hydrologists, archaeologists, wildlife specialists and all the park’s other scientists, were each told they needed to pick up at least one bathroom cleaning shift.“As Division Chiefs, you are being asked to look at your staff and identify staff that can be temporarily reassigned to custodial duties for Upper Pines campground restrooms, at least from 4/15 through 5/4,” reads the email from acting Superintendent Stephanie Burkhart’s office, the outlet reported.Interpretation and Education, Information Technology, Commercial Services and Safety are all being tapped for bathroom detail.Of course, the email indicated other options were considered first, including portable toilets.But that didn’t pass the smell test apparently.

It defied “the spirit of providing the exceptional visitor experience that visitors booked and are expecting, especially when we have a number of permanent employees that can be trained to help out,” the email stated.“Our most critical visitor services priority is supporting a high quality visitor experience for the greatest number of visitors and right now that means ensuring the campground bathrooms are cleaned,” it added...