COLORADO — The National Partnership Office Workforce Development Partnerships Service Hub is excited to introduce you to the Summer 2023 Resource Assistants Cohort onboarded in June. By far the agency’s largest cohort since the program was established in 2015, more than 130 resource assistants were hosted at Copper Mountain Ski Resort, a premier outdoor recreation destination in the Rocky Mountain Region on the White River National Forest.

During the week-long orientation, resource assistants learned about the Forest Service purpose, structure and career opportunities and began the process of building a supportive learning community with agency staff, partner organizations and others. Steve Lohr, deputy regional forester, Rocky Mountain Region kicked off the event with a hearty welcome followed by presentations from Forest Service staff and subject matter experts. Presentations focused on agency priorities such as the Tribal Action Plan, Wildfire Crisis Strategy and the Biden Administration's Justice40 Initiative. Cohort participants heard from staff about the Forest Service international portfolio, our research and development footprint, a thought-provoking history of the Forest Service and safety protocols, among other topics.

“The diversity of experiences, geographies, education disciplines and interests represented by the resource assistants in this cohort is energizing and reassuring. Excited about how this partnership is helping the Forest Service nurture a future workforce and fill critical hiring gaps in our agency.”  Steven Lohr

The Resource Assistants Program  is a rigorous and immersive paid internship for individuals interested in conservation, natural and cultural resources, environmental management, research and development, or other career opportunities with land management agencies. The program provides a direct hire pathway for emerging professionals who successfully complete program requirements—960 hours of service and an associate or two-year secondary degree program. The RAP emphasizes the engagement of current students, recent graduates and underrepresented populations. The program is a significant contributor to the agency’s goals to recruit, train and develop a diverse and inclusive future workforce. Since RAP was established, 1,200 emerging professionals and others have participated in the program. To date, 423 (35%) of Resource Assistants have successfully been hired by the agency. Forest Service leadership is committed  to ensuring every Resource Assistant who becomes eligible for direct hire is offered a job with the Forest Service.

The National Partnership Office Workforce Development Partnership Service Hub administers the program with community-based organizations who recruit and disburse stipends and other benefits to participating Resource Assistants. FS regional liaisons and mentors supervise the RAs during their on-the-job training. Mentors play a critical role in supporting the program and the development of a future workforce. The Forest Service onboards about 200 plus Resource Assistants annually in two cohorts—winter and summer. If you are interested in engaging a Resource Assistant or sharing future Resource Assistant recruitment opportunities with your network, please visit the RAP SharePoint page.

Learn more about the Summer 2023 RAP cohort, their backgrounds, qualifications and interests from the available Directory.