Employment/Political/Tourism

[suchislife]

This is not a slam to the President, I am just curious if anyone else in the states having Federal Lands near you and you are a somewhat to heavy tourism community are affected by a new law Obama signed into being saying all positions for National Park Service has to be advertised nationwide and not locally. Does any other state have or actually had this type of local hiring law?

I'm trying to understand the jist of it, but am not too sure. Been googling it and can't find much either.

My understanding:

In Alaska we had a law named ANILCA (Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act). It pertained to advertising temporary positions here in our National Park Service in our community and not nationwide.

It was the strangest job rejection I have ever received. The first letter was a whole of two sentences stating that Obama had signed legislation making ANILCA unable to hire just locally. Since I had applied under this law and the local job announcement, it made me unavailable for hire. About two weeks later I received another letter with more info. Indeed, it really changed opportunities for local residents. Since 1980's 35% of the hiring was "local" and 15% expanded into permanent jobs with the federal government.

The whole thing has its positives and negatives. Unfortunately I am one of several who feel the bite due to the economy and trying to find a good position that pays enough to survive. I know we always had scads of local retired individuals who worked under this law and are now without that extra nice income to make ends meet in the pocket.

Are other states affected by this? Good thing or bad thing?

 

[Windancer]

I think it has more to do with spreading the wealth...I know the jobs for construction of government housing mandate that X number of local unskilled individuals be employed. I this case, those individuals could apply for federal parks positions, and may be favored over locals due to their area of origin.

 

[suchislife]

I wonder if we were the only state with this local hire policy?

 

[SarahZ]

Well, I am sorry that you got rejected for the job. That totally sucks. I'm getting laid off soon, and Delaware unemployment is a joke.
I can see how federal jobs should be available to everyone in the nation, though, just like state jobs should be available to residents of that state. I would imagine that you wouldn't have too many people relocating to Alaksa, as that is a big move. I'm surprised that they are getting so many people from out of state.

 

[suchislife]

I actually got a kick out of the letters, it was a new twist to job hunting. One letter sounded almost bitter, the other was full of info.

Alaska is very fun place to work during the summer, so its perfect for anyone who wants either a new adventure, or to make some extra income. Most all the jobs are temporary-seasonal. We also have fisheries up here and that is a hot job for younger individuals.

We get a lot of college students wanting that new adventure. Problem is, most do not realize how terribly spendy it is here. I have a couple of co-workers (a married couple eral neat people) who work here during the summer, then in Mexico on other tours, or the carib, etc. They are with tourism. If I was younger and had the energy and no responsibilites at home, I'd be doing the same!

Lots of seasonal jobs, but its real hard to find decent year-round. So, yes it would mean a relocation and then another relocation, if you survived the summer and found more employment, and if you can find a place to rent. So no, its rare anyone stays for long. Heck, I find myself wondering why I do, but its definately home! But the seasonal work is important here for those needing to "stock up for winter" when bills rocket up.

It isn't a major problem because we are so small, but it is a noticeable change.

Ya, Alaska State unemployment is a joke also, I think nationwide has been hit real hard in that area.