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NPS Leadership spotlight: Claire Stout, public safety dispatcher at Grand Canyon

I live here at the canyon with my partner Mark who works at the South Entrance. I’ve been working for the park service since 2010. I started my career as an SCA in Yellowstone and worked there my first four seasons there while getting my bachelor’s in Environmental Science. I’ve had the privilege of working at some other wonderful parks such as Glacier, Haleakala and Big Bend, where I most recently came from. In addition to dispatch, I’ve worked as a general ranger working bear jams, SARs and the ambulance in the Tower Sub-district in Yellowstone. I also worked as law enforcement for five years.

How long have you worked at GRCA? Where are you based out of?

I’ve worked at GRCA since May 2022. I’m based out of the dispatch center at Station 1 on the South Rim. I’ve had the fantastic opportunities to explore and learn about many different areas of the park such as the North Rim and the corridor within the canyon. I hope to get out on the river sometime this year to make myself more familiar with it as seeing locations on foot help a lot to visualize places and response times when dispatching. I also hope to get on some of the non-corridor trails this spring once they’re a little less slick with snow.

What have you enjoyed the most about working and/or living at GRCA so far?

Sometimes I’ve gone weeks without walking over to the canyon rim and seeing the view. My Job never takes me to it. But every time I do, I’m reminded of how beautiful this place is and at the same time try to remind myself to walk the rim more often. I always enjoy rim walks, early morning ones especially.

As for work, we have a fantastic team here in dispatch. Everyone comes from different backgrounds and has so much to bring to the table. The entire visitor/resource protection division has been amazing to work with. It is easy to see how each individual cares deeply about the protection of the park and the people within it.

This week, are you team winter or team spring?

Team winter. 100 percent. I grew up in New England with snow and ski racing, and after living in Texas with no snow for the past three years, this winter has been a welcome sight. I generally work 6 a.m. shifts and have to leave my house at 5:30 or 5:45 in the morning. On days where my street hasn’t been plowed yet and its too snowy to drive, I’ve been able to walk to work in a silent winter wonderland. If you haven’t tried snow covered walks in the dark, I highly recommend. Don’t forget about anti slip precautions like Yaktrax though!


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