Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act of 2025

The Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act of 2025 aims to strengthen Civilian Conservation Centers (CCCs) by authorizing new activities to enhance workforce development for underserved youth. It directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior, in coordination with the Secretary of Labor, to offer specialized training programs at CCCs focusing on forestry and rangeland management , wildland firefighting , and other relevant topics. The bill also establishes a Wildland Firefighting Workforce Development Pilot , allowing the Secretary of Agriculture to implement experimental career and technical education programs at USDA-operated CCCs, covering areas like incident management and forest restoration. To enhance the workforce, the Secretaries are mandated to set annual recruitment goals for hiring 300 CCC graduates into wildland firefighting or other critical roles, and to support their employment in related fields. They may offer signing bonuses to aid successful employment and transition, including securing housing in rural areas. The Act grants the Secretaries direct hire authority for covered graduates, allowing direct appointment to qualified positions from fiscal year 2025, and ensures the development of appropriate career pathways. The bill permits the employment of covered students at regular rates of pay and encourages their use in fulfilling obligations under Forest Service contracts and grants. A significant provision is the establishment of a Wildland Firefighting Housing Pilot Program , which will employ covered students to improve and expand federally owned housing for wildland firefighters and other agency employees. The Secretaries must identify suitable properties for renovation or new construction and submit a prioritized list of projects to Congress, along with a plan for student involvement.