Veterans interested in helping protect their country's environment are being sought to apply for a nine-month training program at Olympic College in Bremerton that starts in the fall.

The new program is aimed at helping veterans land "green collar" jobs, jobs working to protect the Northwest's environment.

The state Legislature approved additional funding to expand the Veterans Conservation Corps (VCC), which will allow the Washington Department of Veteran Affairs to offer the program to returning veterans, including those in Jefferson County.

Coordinator Jeff Reyes said he's hoping to sign up veterans by June 6 for the program, which begins in September. There are openings for up to nine people.

"Since space is tight, the earlier the better," Reyes said of people signing up.

As an enrollment benefit, veterans receive a $1,000 monthly stipend for participating in the program. It is granted based on participation.

"This is an excellent opportunity for returning vets with an interest in 'green collar' jobs, and the VCC would love to help these individuals make a successful transition into civilian life," Reyes said.

"This program will be a mix of classroom work and on-the-job training in projects in Kitsap County that we will be identifying for veteran crews to learn from and complete, with the assistance of internship instructors and VCC staff," Reyes said.

Help with housing transitions and other support services also is available, as is tuition assistance for vets eligible for GI bill funds.

Assistance with job placement or small business development is available during, and after completion of, the program. Veterans will work and learn with each other but will be somewhat mixed in the general college community, he said.

"We will aid veterans with housing transitions when necessary, and the program will also provide other support services to ensure that the enrollee is getting help in all areas of his life," Reyes said.

To be eligible, vets should possess:
• An honorable discharge as a veteran from Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Noble Eagle.
• An interest in environmental restoration/conservation, forest and stream science, water quality monitoring and other subjects in the environmental science field.
• A willingness to train intensely during an initial nine-month program.
• An ability to get to school in Bremerton at Olympic College (which might necessitate a geographical relocation for some veterans).
• An interest in transitioning from a military mission to a personal mission of working to protect the environment and the future of our region.
Reyes notes that no one from Jefferson County has applied so far. The program has a sister program at Green River Community College that has been running for a year.
For more information, contact Reyes at 360-670-9112 or ejeff_r_vcc@msn.com, or Mark Fischer at 360-725-2224 or markf@dva.wa.gov.