H.R. 3465 — Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act of 2025

This section amends the Youth Conservation Corps Act of 1970 (P.L. 91-378, 16 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) by adding a new title III on Civilian Conservation Centers (CCCs), defined as residential workforce development or training facilities for underserved youth operated by the Department of the Interior (DOI) or Department of Agriculture (USDA). Title III title (1) defines key terms, including "covered graduate" (CCC training program completer), "covered student" (CCC enrollee), and "Secretaries" (Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior); (2) directs the Secretaries, in coordination with the Secretary of Labor, to offer specialized training at CCCs in forestry and rangeland management, wildland firefighting, or related topics, prioritizing facilities designated under Job Corps authorities (29 U.S.C. 3197(d)); and (3) authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with the Secretary of Labor, to conduct a workforce development pilot at USDA CCCs with curricula in areas such as incident management, heavy equipment operation, forest restoration, and habitat enhancement, including requirements to identify workforce needs, develop recruitment materials, provide specialized staff, and modernize facilities. The new title further (1) sets recruitment goals for the Secretaries to hire 300 covered graduates annually each for wildland firefighting or related needs, achieve specified employment percentages in relevant fields, and offer signing bonuses; (2) authorizes direct hire authority for covered graduates into qualified positions beginning in FY2025, bypassing most competitive service requirements; (3) requires career pathways for graduates and allows employment of covered students at regular pay rates; and (4) directs maximum practicable use of covered students to fulfill Forest Service contracts, agreements, and grants at relevant National Forest System units. Finally, the title establishes a pilot program for the Secretaries to employ covered students to improve and expand federal housing stock for wildland firefighters, volunteers, partner crewmembers, interns, and other agency employees.