NPCA’s workplace culture is a key to our success, not only as we advance our park protection campaigns, but as we invest in and grow our people. We have six awards to prove it.
At NPCA, we value a culture where voices are heard and respected as we carry forward our mission to protect America’s national parks. We take this commitment seriously, and firmly believe this is the key to our success not only as we advance our park protection campaigns, but as we invest in and grow our people.
As a member of NPCA’s leadership team heading our Human Resources department, I work every day to carry forward our shared vision for the organization, supporting our people-first, caring culture. This includes how we invest in and grow our stellar expert staff, and how we attract the best and brightest in this competitive job market. On average, NPCA staff stay at our organization for 10 years.
Our recent initiatives include transitioning to a four-day, 32-hour work week — enabling staff to take Fridays off to enjoy more time for themselves. This innovation not only improves work-life balance, but our flexible telework options are enticing for many seeking a remote or hybrid office setting. Such changes also allow us to obtain and recruit diverse candidates from across the country. Also, new hires’ different life experiences and home office locations bring richness to our discussions and work protecting and enhancing America’s national parks.
This fosters a welcoming workplace that strives to reflect the diversity of our country, maintain equitable and compassionate practices, and meaningfully include different perspectives at every level — from our staff and executive leadership to our board and members and volunteers.
As a result of these values and commitments, NPCA received a USA Top Workplace award earlier this year from Energage, a purpose-driven technology company specializing in employee surveys and industry-leading data. We are thrilled to be recognized among top, similar-sized organizations across all business sectors. Our success in achieving this award was determined by the responses from an anonymous employee survey administered by a third party, to which 87% of our employees responded.
On average, NPCA staff stay at our organization for 10 years.
More recently, we were awarded “Culture of Excellence” Awards where the top 20% of employers receiving the Top Workplace award can be considered, based again on statements from employees about what it’s like working for NPCA. The Culture Excellence Awards recognize Purpose and Value, Work-Life Flexibility, Compensation & Benefits, Innovation and Leadership. These achievements wouldn’t have been possible without our valued employees.
Therefore, here are six award-winning reasons to celebrate the culture we have created — and continue to cultivate — at NPCA:
A Top Workplace - NPCA was compared against the industry’s best-in-class organizations through an employee survey. The survey’s 24 questions were categorized in relation to the future of the organization, employee development, how appreciated staff feel, confidence in the organization’s leadership, pay and work-life balance.
Purpose and Values – This award celebrates NPCA’s mission-driven values and how we’ve successfully incorporated them into our organization’s culture and express them in the work we do every day to protect our parks.
Work-Life Flexibility – NPCA is recognized for having caring managers who want the absolute best for their employees and offer flexible schedules for how and when they do their work.
Compensation & Benefits – NPCA not only rewards staff for good work, but also with appreciation for their work. To show our commitment to equal pay, we’ve joined the Green 2.0 Pay Equity Pledge. We are committed to conducting a pay equity analysis that examines staff compensation for any differences regarding race, ethnicity and gender and taking corrective actions to remediate pay disparities.
Innovation – NPCA welcomes innovation and creates an environment where new ideas come from all employees, contributing to our collective success.
Leadership – Our leadership inspires confidence in our employees and the direction of NPCA, an accolade we’re especially proud of.
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NPCA values its staff and all they bring to their jobs every day. From their expertise to lived experiences and different backgrounds, we know our success is directly connected to our shared values and the diverse voices we bring to the organization. At NPCA, we offer fulfilling and meaningful careers protecting national parks while having the freedom to enjoy personal lives, too. And we’ll continue to seek ways to invest in our staff, knowing that when we do that, we’re all better for it.
Join our team: www.npca.org/about/careers
About the author
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Carolyn Curry-Wheat Vice President of Human ResourcesCarolyn Curry-Wheat joined NPCA in 2008 and is responsible for NPCA’s overall administration, coordination, and evaluation of the Human Resources functions.
