The US Forest and National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management have faced staffing shortages despite the continuing concern of wildfires. To this end, Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ) has introduced a bipartisan bill with Representative Mike Levin (D-CA), incentivizing these agencies to hire military veterans with relevant skills for these positions.
Given the simple name of the Hire Veterans Act, Rep. Crane's bill "comprehensively strengthens the federal skilled labor pipeline for veterans, streamlining the hiring process for veterans seeking to protect our natural resources."
This would begin via a five-year pilot program in which veterans receive conditional employment by land management agencies such as the Bureau, the Forest Service, and the National Park Service, provided they have the relevant skills and abilities. The Office of Personnel Management, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and these land management agencies would then compile an annual report during this five-year pilot program's progress.
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In his press release, Rep. Crane said, "As a 13-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, I’m all too familiar with the obstacles servicemen and women face when transitioning to civilian life. I’m also well aware of the challenges our federal land management agencies currently face, particularly in filling vacancies for firefighters, park rangers, and foresters."
"With this bill, Congress has the opportunity to both streamline the employment process for veterans AND [emphasis his] better ensure that our natural resources are protected for future generations. I’m grateful to be able to introduce this legislation that serves our veterans while furthering the responsible stewardship of U.S. land," Crane added.
Last April, Bloomberg Law noted the "severe" staffing shortage at the Bureau of Land Management is the biggest obstacle in its development of renewable resources, while The Guardian highlighted the "exodus" of federal firefighters from the job due to low pay and difficult conditions battling wildfires.
As a result, the bill has received additional bipartisan support in the Senate from Senators Mike Braun (R-IN) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ).
Crane's bill resembles a state-level program begun in Florida in 2022 that granted veterans to receive a five-year teaching certificate as they finish their bachelor's degrees.
