U.S. Rep. Eli Crane Representative for Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District | Ballotpedia
U.S. Rep. Eli Crane Representative for Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District | Ballotpedia
Last week, Representative Eli Crane from Arizona and Representative Mike Levin from California reintroduced the "Hire Veterans Act." This bipartisan legislation aims to employ American veterans while enhancing the federal skilled labor force, particularly within the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, and Bureau of Land Management.
Federal land management agencies have faced staffing shortages over the past decade, affecting their operational capabilities. The U.S. Forest Service has notably struggled with attracting and retaining staff, which has been exacerbated by a gap in experience and skills among candidates. This issue impacts their ability to manage increasing wildfire threats.
The Hire Veterans Act seeks to strengthen the federal skilled labor pipeline for veterans by streamlining the hiring process for those interested in protecting natural resources. The bill proposes a five-year pilot program that directs federal land management agencies to conditionally appoint veterans who demonstrate necessary skills for specific vacant positions.
Additionally, the bill mandates that the Office of Personnel Management, in consultation with the Department of Veterans Affairs and federal land management agencies, submit an annual report to Congress on the program's effectiveness until its termination.
Representative Crane emphasized his personal connection to both military service and land management challenges: "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," said Rep. Crane. "With this bill, Congress has the opportunity to both streamline the employment process for veterans AND better ensure that our natural resources are protected for future generations."
Representative Levin highlighted their commitment to supporting veterans: "Our veterans sacrifice so much for our nation. We have an obligation to ensure that veterans returning to civilian life can get jobs and support their families," said Rep. Levin. "I’m glad to be partnering with Rep. Crane on our bipartisan bill to expand opportunities for veterans and help connect them to jobs in federal land management agencies."
Information from this article can be found here.
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