EXCLUSIVE — A bipartisan group of lawmakers is seeking ways to recruit veterans to be hired for vacant positions within federal land management agencies, according to a bill introduced in the House on Thursday.
The bill, dubbed the Hire Veterans Act, would work to hire veterans in the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, and Bureau of Land Management. The legislation comes in response to a staffing shortage the agencies have faced over the last decade, particularly in the Forest Service, which lawmakers say has affected its capacity to address wildfire threats.
“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. Eli Crane (R-AZ), one of the authors of the bill. “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.”
The bill would streamline the hiring process for veterans by implementing a five-year pilot program that would direct federal land management agencies to appoint veterans to vacant positions within the federal agencies. The appointments would be conditioned on whether the veteran has “demonstrated the necessary skills and abilities” for the position, according to the lawmakers.
The bill would also direct the Office of Personnel Management to submit an annual report to Congress in consultation with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the specific land management agencies. That report would be required every year of the five-year program detailing the effectiveness of the recruitment.
“Our veterans deserve workforce training and good-paying jobs when they return to civilian life, and Congress should ensure that is the case for all of our nation’s heroes,” said Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA), who also introduced the bill. “Our bipartisan bill would expand opportunities for veterans and help connect them to jobs in federal land management agencies to care for our public lands and support their families.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The bill has at least two co-sponsors so far: Reps. Mary Miller (R-IL) and Paul Gosar (R-AZ).
The bipartisan proposal has also been introduced in the Senate by Sens. Mike Braun (R-IN) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) and has already received support from the Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
