Those whose work lives were affected by CZU fires can get paid for helping with recovery

A $1.5 million grant will provide jobs for 75 workers displaced by last August’s CZU Lightning Complex fire to help with recovery efforts in areas such as Big Basin State Park, Henry Cowell State Park and Wilder Ranch State Park.

The employment opportunity of the Fire Impact Recovery Effort (FIRE) will be run by Goodwill Central Coast, and provide up to a year of work for those who are “who are unemployed or underemployed due to the CZU Lightning complex fires” and meet the following criteria:

• Temporarily or permanently laid off because of the disaster
• Unemployed for 15 or more weeks
• Self-employed individuals unemployed or underemployed due to fires

Those hired will be “deployed to conduct fire recovery and resiliency activities in specific park and open space locations impacted by the fires.” according to a release sent out by the county.

All temporary employees will receive safety training before working on the disaster recovery projects and will be eligible for up to $300 in supportive services for items such as tools and work clothing.

Workers will also receive assistance in securing permanent employment at the conclusion of the disaster recovery grant.

The grant will be administered by the county’s Workforce Development Board in conjunction with the Goodwill, the county’s parks department, and local state parks.

For more information on how to apply: info@workforcescc.com