A standard desk job wasnāt in the cards for LieutenantĀ CommanderĀ Matt Kozler.Ā As a commissioned corps officer from the US Public Health ServiceĀ assigned to the Department of Interior,Ā Matt and his colleaguesĀ provideĀ assistanceĀ and recommendations to the National Park Service regarding food and water safety as well as public health issues, including responding to disease outbreaks.Ā For Matt, the job was a perfect fit:Ā āwhen I was offered the opportunity to join my admiration for nature with my love for public health, I never hesitated to take on that challenge."

LieutenantĀ Commander Matt Kozler at Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Based at Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco, Mattās day can take him to iconicĀ placesĀ like Muir Woods National Monument and Alcatraz IslandĀ to the numerous beaches, trails, and historic sites surrounding the Golden Gate Bridge.Ā Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Matt primarily managed food safety through work with mobile food vendors catering events at the park, as well as at the parkās iconic restaurants.

LieutenantĀ CommanderĀ Matt Kozler speaking with a food vendor before the COVID-19 pandemic
COVID-19Ā dramatically changedĀ the nature ofĀ Mattās work.Ā Today,Ā he nowĀ focuses on developing andĀ implementingĀ site specific health measures designed to prevent theĀ spread of the disease to both staff and visitors.Ā Matt acknowledges that the stakesĀ couldnātĀ be higher, especially sinceĀ Golden Gate National Recreation AreaĀ wasĀ theĀ secondĀ most visited park site in 2020.
Fortunately,Ā the seriousness of Mattās work has not managed toĀ shake his sense of humor.Ā Because so much of his work takes place outside, Matt has found himself a victim of the San Franciscoās constantly changing weather on a few occasions.Ā Recalling one such experience when the weather turned cloudy, windy, and cold, he said āI forgot my coat and had to advise food vendors while shivering almost uncontrollably, shattering teeth and all. I didn't last long that day, but we had a few laughs."

A self-described sustainability striving nature enthusiast at heart,Ā MattĀ isĀ grateful that he can āapply public health solutions to further protect those who come to enjoy the beauty and nature we all appreciate."Ā He also marvels in the fact that there are over 80,000 acres of land and history to exploreĀ within 15 minutes of San Francisco.Ā HeĀ loves the views of the city and bay area from the boatĀ outĀ to Alcatraz IslandĀ as well as theĀ natural beauty from hikingĀ alongĀ Marin HeadlandsĀ just north ofĀ the city.Ā Just remember toĀ dress in layers!
ClickĀ hereĀ to learn more about the work of the National Park Serviceās Office of Public Health.
Behind every national park is a team of ordinary people dedicated to maintaining the extraordinary. They maintain habitats, educate visitors, and preserve history. Theyāre volunteers, rangers, museum curators, engineers, architects, and more. Theyāre our Park Ambassadors ā linking us to these treasured places and all the stories they hold.Ā Send thanks to an NPS employeeĀ or volunteer today.Ā Ā Ā
The āNational Park AmbassadorsāĀ video series is produced by the National Park Foundation and its Find Your Park premier partnerĀ L.L.Bean, with additional support fromĀ The Coca-Cola Company.