WASHINGTON, D.C.—This winter, 91 new resource assistants joined the Forest Service Resource Assistants Program from around the United States, including the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The diverse cohort was 38% people of color and 74% female and included degree-holders in fields like anthropology, geology, journalism and engineering.

Southwestern Region Regional Forester Michiko Martin welcomed the resource assistants to New Mexico, where they attended orientation. Martin was one of the early advocates for the Resource Assistants Program, starting when she served as national director of Recreation, Heritage, and Volunteer Resources. In this role, she provided guidance and oversight to the burgeoning program. Since then, the program has become a critical resource for recruiting new talent for the Forest Service workforce development resource. Over 1,400 participants have been enrolled and contributed 1.3 million hours of work to land, natural and cultural resources management.

Underscoring the value of this program, Deputy Chief of National Forest System Chris French and Associate Deputy Chief of Business Operations Tracy Tophooven came to encourage their career journeys, paint a picture of the impact they can make. They also discussed the positive impact resource assistants have on the agency’s mission and emphasized the agency’s priority to hire successful resource assistants as permanent employees.

Over the past few years, Resource Assistants Program enhancements include the addition of a direct hire authority, shift to a cohort model and establishment of an orientation program. As a result, the resource assistant conversion rate rose from 20% in 2019 to 37% in 2024. The return on investment hasn’t ended with conversion. Many former assistants have found their vocation supporting the program in various capacities: stewarding the program’s partnership agreements, leading onboarding efforts for new assistants, overseeing regional program participation and mentoring new assistants.

Alumni advance the program through word-of-mouth recruitment and in other ways, including participating in the orientation’s alumni panel. Three former resource assistants who embarked on a successful career ladder within the Forest Service shared stories, lessons learned and advice to succeed in the program and secure a permanent position. The Resource Assistants Program is a cooperative effort supported by countless colleagues, units and partners who are intentional ensuring high quality assistant experiences and program outcomes.

The National Partnership Office Workforce Development Partnership Service Hub administers the program with nine community-based organizations that recruit and disburse stipends and other benefits to participating resource assistants. Agency regional liaisons and mentors guide the assistants during their on-the-job training. The Forest Service onboards around 200 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 Resource Assistants Program SharePoint page.