This month was due to be the end of my career with the
National Park Service. Next week I reach mandatory retirement
age from law enforcement and therefore will no longer eligible
for the San Miguel Island ranger position in which I've served
for the past 25 years. I was scheduled to be retired from the
agency on January 31, but have been fortunate enough to be
given a new opportunity here at the park.
Today, for the first time in my career, I came to work as
something other than a park ranger. It feels strange to say
that after 35 years, and I guess I'll always still think of
myself as a ranger, but my job with the NPS is now as a Safety
& Occupational Health Specialist. The job is a one-year
term position that can be extended up to four years. (It's a
bit like a continuing resolution, only longer.) It will give
the park a chance to try having a position that is dedicated
to safety, and it will give me a chance to try to help the
rest of the park staff to make the Channel Islands a safer
place to work and visit.
For anyone that was planning on getting together with us on
February 3rd for a retirement party, I'm happy to report it
has been cancelled. Although it is always fun to see everyone
at those events, believe me, I'm a lot happier to still be
working with so many of them.
Marcella and I came out to San Miguel today for one final
tour. Even though I had to start the new position before the
end of the month, I had previously been scheduled out here for
one more week to wrap up a few projects and pack up what has
been our home for 25 years. Leaving the island will still be
a sad moment, but it's a lot better knowing that I'm not yet
leaving the park and the people that make Channel Islands the
world's greatest national park.
/s/ Ian Williams
Safety & Occupational Health Specialist
Channel Islands National Park
1901 Spinnaker Drive
Ventura, CA 93001
(805)658-5700 x5971