# What This Bill Does

This bill creates a test program to hire veterans for jobs in national parks, national forests, and other conservation areas run by the federal government. The Veterans Affairs Department would oversee the program, working with the Department of Interior (which manages national parks) and the Department of Agriculture (which manages national forests) to find open positions that veterans could fill.

The jobs would involve conservation and resource management work—think things like trail maintenance, wildlife management, facility upkeep, and environmental protection. Veterans hired through this program would be treated as regular federal employees with all the standard civil service protections and benefits that come with federal jobs. The program is designed to run for two years as a pilot to see if it works well before deciding whether to expand it.

# Who This Affects

This primarily benefits veterans looking for work after leaving the military. It gives them a pathway into federal jobs in outdoor and conservation fields, which could be particularly appealing for veterans with relevant skills or interests. The program also helps the Interior and Agriculture departments fill positions they currently have open, potentially improving their ability to maintain parks and forests. Indirectly, the public benefits from having more staffing in these agencies to maintain the natural areas Americans use and enjoy.

# What Happens Next

The government has to report back to Congress on how the program is working—how many veterans apply, how many get hired, and whether they stay in federal jobs afterward. This information will help lawmakers decide if the program should become permanent or if it needs changes. The whole thing is temporary, ending two years after it starts, unless Congress decides to continue it based on the results.

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to administer a pilot program to employ veterans in positions that relate to conservation and resource management activities.

Lamb, Conor

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Department of the Interior to jointly establish a pilot program to employ veterans in positions that relate to the conservation and resource management activities of USDA and Interior. The VA, USDA, Interior, and the Department of Defense (DOD) are authorized to enter into a partnership to include the pilot program as part of the Skillbridge program, which is a DOD program to provide training to members who are transitioning out of service in the Armed Forces. The bill also requires the VA to establish guidelines containing best practices for other federal agencies that carry out programs to employ veterans who are transitioning from service in the Armed Forces.