Gretchen Conn
Duluth,MN
Summary
Professional with robust experience in the National Park Service and conservation field, looking forward to transitioning to the private sector. Strong background in visitor engagement, program development, and natural resource stewardship. Known for teamwork and adaptability, ensuring effective collaboration and a healthy work environment . Skill set includes public education, promotional creativity, safety management and excellent communication.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Park Ranger
Isle Royale National Park
Houghton, MI
05.2025 - 09.2025
- Provided exceptional customer service at a busy visitor center, answering questions, offering assistance, and processing fee payments accurately.
- Developed interpretive materials that improved visitor experience and increased awareness of park conservation efforts.
- Interacted pleasantly with visitors and promoted park rules, regulations and safety measures to educate and inform.
- Increased park safety by conducting regular patrols and addressing potential hazards in a timely manner.
- Supported emergency response efforts during natural disasters or medical incidents, ensuring visitor wellbeing.
- Monitored wildlife populations and habitats to ensure conservation efforts align with park management objectives.
- Distributed park and trail maps, provided park information and answered customer service questions.
- Patrolled all areas by foot and vehicle to assess park conditions and notified maintenance department regarding trash and debris.
Park Ranger
Canyonlands National Park
Monticello, UT
09.2019 - 05.2025
- Acted as the Recreational Fees Team Lead.
- Trained new park rangers and team members in all operations and policies while offering mentorship and assistance with duties.
- Provided exceptional customer service at the visitor center and entrance station, answering questions, offering assistance, and processing fee payments accurately.
- Interacted pleasantly with visitors and promoted park rules, regulations and safety measures to educate and inform.
- Increased park safety by conducting regular patrols and addressing potential hazards in a timely manner.
- Supported emergency response efforts during natural disasters or medical incidents, ensuring visitor wellbeing.
- Enforced park rules consistently to protect natural resources while creating a safe environment for all visitors.
- Enforced laws and regulations within parks for campgrounds, trails, nature preserves and roadways.
- Provided information and guidance for park visitors, answered questions and inquiries and suggested trails for hiking.
- I helped to develop cultural history management plans to preserve and restore ethnic history, historical sites and preserve local folklore.
- Distributed park and trail maps, provided park information and answered customer service questions.
- Patrolled all areas by foot and vehicle to assess park conditions and notified maintenance department regarding trash and debris.
- Participated in ongoing training sessions to refine skills in first aid, search-and-rescue techniques, firefighting procedures, and more.
- Developed strong partnerships with local law enforcement agencies for improved coordination during emergencies or critical incidents.
- Incorporated humane wildlife suppression measures to keep animals from getting too close to visitors.
- Evaluated reports on special permit requests, scenic easement and park visitation.
- Improved overall park cleanliness with meticulous litter removal and facility maintenance tasks.
- Informed visitors of current and recurring dangers posed by wildlife, terrain and inclement weather.
- Monitored campground conditions regularly to ensure compliance with health regulations and address any necessary improvements proactively.
- Facilitated constructive dialogue between diverse stakeholders regarding land-use issues affecting the park''s future development.
- Performed search and rescue operations for missing people and coordinated with local agencies for response operations.
- Developed and executed educational programs for visitors, improving awareness of local wildlife and conservation efforts.
- Improved trail navigation by updating and maintaining clear, accurate trail signage.
Park Ranger
National Park Service
Various National Parks And Locations
05.2009 - 08.2019
- Increased park safety by conducting regular patrols and addressing potential hazards in a timely manner.
- Supported emergency response efforts during natural disasters or medical incidents, ensuring visitor wellbeing.
- Enforced park rules consistently to protect natural resources while creating a safe environment for all visitor.
- Provided exceptional customer service at entrance stations, answering questions, offering assistance, and processing fee payments accurately.
- Interacted pleasantly with visitors and promoted park rules, regulations and safety measures to educate and inform.
- Provided information and guidance for park visitors, answered questions and inquiries and suggested trails for hiking.
- Trained new park rangers and team members in all operations and policies while offering mentorship and assistance with duties.
- Maintained trail systems through regular inspections and repair work, ensuring safe access for visitors.
- Distributed park and trail maps, provided park information and answered customer service questions.
- Guided tours for park visitors with focus on informative and safe visits.
- Patrolled all areas by foot and vehicle to assess park conditions and notified maintenance department regarding trash and debris.
- Assisted in wildlife management initiatives for maintaining healthy ecosystems within the park.
- Enhanced visitor experience by providing informative guided tours and educational programs on park history, flora, and fauna.
- Participated in ongoing training sessions to refine skills in first aid, search-and-rescue techniques, firefighting procedures, and more.
- Developed strong partnerships with local law enforcement agencies for improved coordination during emergencies or critical incidents.
- Incorporated humane wildlife suppression measures to keep animals from getting too close to visitors.
- Evaluated reports on special permit requests, scenic easement and park visitation.
- Strengthened relationships with local community members by organizing special events and outreach programs highlighting the value of national parks.
- Directed incoming and outgoing traffic during special events and identified available parking areas for drivers.
- Improved overall park cleanliness with meticulous litter removal and facility maintenance tasks.
- Offered quality interpretive programming for school groups to foster appreciation for natural resources and encourage future environmental stewardship.
- Informed visitors of current and recurring dangers posed by wildlife, terrain and inclement weather.
- Educated visitors on area wildlife and regional history during tours and presentations.
- Administered first aid to visitors suffering from falls and minor injuries and contacted paramedics for hospital transport in serious cases.
- Monitored campground conditions regularly to ensure compliance with health regulations and address any necessary improvements proactively.
- Performed search and rescue operations for missing people and coordinated with local agencies for response operations.
- Contributed to successful completion of conservation projects by leading teams of volunteers in habitat restoration efforts.
- Utilized topography using GPS technology when analyzing park parameters and terrain.
- Organized and presented regional history lectures and presentations for children and adults.
- Developed and executed educational programs for visitors, improving awareness of local wildlife and conservation efforts.
- Fostered culture of environmental responsibility among visitors through effective communication and educational initiatives.
- Improved trail navigation by updating and maintaining clear, accurate trail signage.
- Maintained cleanliness and order within park, ensuring welcoming environment for all visitors.
- Increased visitor satisfaction by providing informative and friendly assistance at visitor centers.
- Enhanced visitor safety by conducting regular patrols of park areas and trails.
- Engaged with visitors to interpret natural and cultural resources in local parks.
Grocery Clerk/Sales Associate
Albertsons Grocery Store
Olympia, WA
02.2016 - 03.2018
- Pleasantly greeted customers and provided prompt and courteous service.
- Rotated grocery products ensuring that expired or spoiled items were immediately removed and adhered to "first in, first out" rule.
- Stocked shelves and organized merchandise displays for easy retrieval.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of store aisles and merchandise displays.
- Assisted customers by finding items quickly to boost store satisfaction rates.
- Ensured proper storage conditions for perishable items, resulting in reduced spoilage rates.
- Used pallet jacks and hand trucks to move merchandise to sales floor for stocking.
- Enhanced store cleanliness through diligent maintenance of aisles, shelves, and display areas.
- Operated cash register to accurately process and record customer payments.
- Supported inventory management efforts through accurate tracking of stock levels and timely replenishment of products.
- Demonstrated flexibility in work schedule by covering shifts or assisting with additional tasks as needed, contributing to a cohesive team dynamic.
- Contributed to increased sales performance by stocking shelves in a visually appealing manner.
- Prepared attractive displays for promotional events or seasonal items that resulted in increased sales revenue.
- Managed return process for unsatisfied customers, ensuring positive resolution.
- Handled customer complaints with empathy and efficiency, restoring customer confidence.
- Updated pricing and signage for sales and promotions, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
- Ensured freshness and quality of produce, leading to repeat customers and positive feedback.
- Assisted customers in finding desired items quickly, enhancing shopping experience and customer loyalty.
- Improved customer satisfaction with prompt and accurate checkout service.
- Conducted daily cleaning tasks to maintain hygienic shopping environment.
Education
Associate Degree - Natural Sciences
Madison Area Technical College
Madison, WIBachelor In Natural Resources - Wildlife Ecology
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Madison, WI05.2012
Skills
- Outdoor recreation management
- Environmental education
- Visitor relations
- Outdoor leadership skills
- Interpretation skills
- Guided tours
- Excellent communication
- Wilderness navigation
- Backcountry travel
- Trail maintenance
- Park supervision
- Permit processing
- Resource monitoring
- Natural resource conservation
- Public safety
- Visitor services
- Visitor assistance
- Park regulations and safety
- Emergency response
- Program development
- Group presentations
- Group activities
- Educational enrichment
- Historical research
- Teamwork
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Customer service
- Teaching skills
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Team leadership
- Team collaboration
- Organizational skills
- Reliability
- Field data collection
Accomplishments
- I wrote multiple grants to enhance available library resources at Canyonlands National Park.
- I co-wrote an aid request to fund two internship positions within Canyonlands National Park. We partnered with Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps to recruit locally. The internship position offers not only experience in the day-to-day operations of park work, but also the opportunity to work on our inclusive story telling project. The aim of the project is to focus on giving more of a voice to the local indigenous communities who have historical and cultural connections to the park through interpretive programs and trailhead exhibits.
- I developed and presented a bi-annual sensitivity/anti- harassment training for all incoming staff. Topics included, ethical conduct in the workplace, National Park Service anti- harassment policy, and introduction into the No Fear Act. Training consisted of role based scenarios and groups discussion.
Certification
- Leave No Trace - Level 1 Instructor.
- Operational Leadership.
- Search and Rescue Technician III/II/I (SAR Tech III/II/I) - National Association for Search & Rescue.
Timeline
Park Ranger
Isle Royale National Park
05.2025 - 09.2025
Park Ranger
Canyonlands National Park
09.2019 - 05.2025
Grocery Clerk/Sales Associate
Albertsons Grocery Store
02.2016 - 03.2018
Park Ranger
National Park Service
05.2009 - 08.2019
Associate Degree - Natural Sciences
Madison Area Technical College
Bachelor In Natural Resources - Wildlife Ecology
University of Wisconsin, Madison