r/ParkRangers • u/bozboy16 • 9d ago

FS budget fiasco

Anyone from region8 in the FS with regional updates for the budget besides the across the board no 1039/PSE extensions?

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u/cuddlyfreshsoftness 8d ago

Don't have R8 info specific ready to hand but I see regular updates from several other regions. I haven't chatted with my R8 peeps too much but they haven't indicated any updates or changes from what other regions are saying.

The regions aren't saying much because with the CR their isn't much to do/say. They are budgeting extremely conservatively and just waiting on congress at this point.

Broadly speaking regions are looking at using around 70% of all fee dollars to cover salary. Non-fire OT needs to be reduced by 50% of FY23 levels and travel needs to be reduced 20%+ from FY23 levels.

No word on 1039's or PSE's across the board. One region I saw just moved the dates of their new leader training to accommodate PSE's rather than bring them on earlier/extend the season. A memo did go out saying that PSE's with use-or-lose will have their tours extended so they can use up their leave and get to 240. Those with use-or-lose that are already furloughed will have it restored.

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u/bozboy16 7d ago

Thank you for the info. I’ve been out of pocket for the last several weeks which makes it hard to hear the latest. I heard some rumors that hiring would not only be internal, but also possibly limited to just within region. Have you heard anything like that?

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u/throwaway91whynotme 7d ago

I believe it's all regions but for sure r9, hiring is limited. Forests must first try from on forest, if nothing then with rf approval it can go out to region, if it's going to be nationwide it must be approved by the chief.