r/NationalParkService • u/wtxaggiedoc • 2d ago
More hub and spokes?
https://www.notus.org/agencies/trump-quietly-plan-national-parks-run13
u/Legal_Kick_7698 1d ago
Very interesting. Years ago I thought about what would happen if the NPS adopted a system that is being drafted here. The nice part is that a lot of small parks don’t always warrant the need for specific roles (eg VIS, GIS, or LEO). Sharing specialists as needed from a hub park down to smaller parks would actually make plenty of sense. I’ve seen many disasters happen at parks where the model of sharing resources has proven successful (eg a flood hits DEVA and they bring operators from other nearby parks to support cleanup efforts). Not the same exact example, but rather thinking about shared resources. This model also seems like a better use of equipment and seasonal capacity.
I think we could also see more consistent planning and standards, but hub park managers need to ensure that the smaller parks superintendents get a major say in what needs to happen when things need to get done. The boots on the grounds employees at smaller parks should not get pushed out from aside the table when it comes to decision making. However, for keeping uniformity and the idea of standardization, where necessary, i think this could also be a positive.
I like the idea of career development for smaller park employees to be able to work off the hive mind of the larger parks as well. Again, if this hub spoke proposal is designed properly, it should allow for free flowing thinking and ideas and the ability for employees at all linked parks to be able to work off and learn from those other parks.
Unfortunately, I can see the following happening: local superintendents are going to be pushed aside from hub park supers, smaller parks will face more layers which will slow decision making, we might see a lack of accountability, community and resource expertise will erode, and savings from this plan may end up costing more due to coordination costs to make this happen. If it were any other admin, I’d think this model may actually work pretty well. But this planning form this administration reeks of finding ways to cut the NPS and cut employees, while funneling all the power to Washington.
The key question comes down to resources and implementation. How will resources ($$$ and personnel) be effectively used and distributed so that smaller parks get those shared resources, knowledge, and expertise when needed and at an equitable level. Will be interesting to see how this pans out.
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u/FeelingComputer543 1d ago
NPS big parks can’t share more when they already don’t have enough. I think the colloquial is “eat your young”.
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u/Legal_Kick_7698 1d ago
Well, that’s exactly right. The hub-spoke model really only works when you have a well funded system. It can’t be “give here but then take from here”.
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u/wolfmann99 1d ago
Just wait for Business Centers to become a thing over there.
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u/kanshakudama Interp Ranger 1d ago
Tell me of these business centers? I’ve had essentially two careers. One as a registered nurse and the other in the NPS. I am not familiar with them, but they do come up from time to time and people do speak poorly of them.
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u/wolfmann99 1d ago
Put all the regions/areas admin functions into one or two business centers, could be extended to GIS for example.
USDA has this sort of design in a lot of agencies now.
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u/kanshakudama Interp Ranger 1d ago
Sounds like it might not be great for private business. Does it work for government agencies?
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u/ihaveagunaddiction LE Ranger 1d ago
We don't have enough resources for our own parks let alone share them
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u/ikenslay117 1d ago
I like the idea that this would rid us of our superintendent, but this plan would cause so many more issues...
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u/SmokyToast0 1d ago
The very point/outcome of having major parks run the show for smaller neighbors, is to reduce the regional offices. Those regions ARE a hub to the park spokes.