“I was so excited when I found out I got the position of veteran VISTA with California Conservation Corps. One of the first veterans I had the pleasure of working with served four years with the United States Marine Corps as an infantry man, deployed two times, and earned two Navy Achievements Medals for successful combat operations. He wanted to pursue a lifetime career as a Wildland Firefighter, but just needed a little boost. He didn’t hesitate to work with me to build upon his already impressive resume and discussing what his future goals were so that I could keep him in mind when opportunities arose. When I was contacted by a representative from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) about a job opening on one of their crews, I knew he would be the perfect candidate. After submitting the employment package we had worked on, he was hired for a full time position with the BLM on a Veteran’s crew. Since then, he has kept in contact with staff at the California Conservation Corps and is very appreciative for the opportunity that we have helped create for his future.”

California Conservation Corps (CCC) is a state agency hiring young men and women, 18 to 25, for a year of natural resource work and emergency response. In response to America’s need to support recently discharged veterans, the CCC created CCC Veterans Green Corps (VGC). Their mission is to provide an instructional work environment and connect the veterans to supportive services and career development training so they are able to acquire civilian jobs in the community.

Heather Hays is a VGC VISTA with the CCC, supporting veterans as they transition from the CCC to permanent employment. Heather connects with her veterans before they even enter the program; she sits in on recruitment interviews to start assessing a veteran’s individual needs. She then works with each veteran throughout his or her term with the CCC to determine career goals, perfect his resumes and cover letters, and navigate the application and interview process.

Heather is also leveraging community resources to help the CCC’s veterans. She has arranged for outside organizations such as Veterans Village of San Diego to visit the CCC center and speak to veterans about the myriad of available resources. In addition, Heather has accompanied veterans to several career fairs in her region.

By working one-on-one with veterans Heather has produced impressive results. Since beginning her year of service with the California Conservation Corps in November, Heather has worked with approximately twenty-five veterans. One has promoted to crew leader within the CCC. Three veterans are currently going through the hiring process with US Forest Service (USFS). And, best of all, fifteen of veterans have been employed in civilian jobs, including the California State Parks, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Heather’s goal is for each veteran to have a complete employment package, exposure to job openings, and placement in a civilian job.