By Ronica Stromberg
Kathryn Lenz has found postcard-perfect Rocky Mountain National Park the ideal workplace to use her fisheries and wildlife degree.
"I love it here," the 2013 alumna of the School of Natural Resources said recently. "I’ve been enjoying my position."
Lenz has worked as the executive assistant to the park superintendent since January 2023. She said every day on the job differs for her but most involve answering emails and scheduling meetings. She is certified in CPR and first aid and also helps with search-and-rescues when needed. She is not an emergency medical technician but has been able to assist in carrying out injured visitors, logistics and planning.
"It's a lot of in-between work when, potentially, a day can be going all different directions, you're there to assist, and someone could be like, 'Oh, I need to get this information.' You're like, 'I got it,' or 'I'll go get it,'" she said.
Rocky Mountain National Park consistently ranks as the fourth or fifth most visited U.S. national park, with more than 4.1 million visitors in 2023, according to National Park Service records. It especially attracts hikers, climbers and sightseers, Lenz said.
Since the park is rocky and covers 415 square miles with elevations from about 7,000 to 14,259 feet, visitors in it can twist an ankle, get lost or suffer altitude sickness and need help. Lenz said search-and-rescues last anywhere from less than a day to multiple days.
Before landing her permanent position with the National Park Service, Lenz worked seasonally for six years, checking backcountry permits and making sure campers had the required hard-sided bear canisters.
Read more about Kathryn and see more images at https://snr.unl.edu/aboutus/what/newstory.aspx?fid=1181