Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Weekly Job Pop-Ups Offer Eaton Fire Survivors Paid Work and Free Training

[Supervisor Kathryn Barger via Facebook]

Altadena’s job center is among 18 county sites where displaced workers can get screened for temporary positions every Thursday

Eaton Fire survivors who lost work can walk into an America’s Job Center of California any Thursday afternoon and get immediate help landing a temporary paid job with Los Angeles County, according to a statement from Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s office.

The weekly events, called Fire Recovery Thursdays, run from 1 to 4 p.m. at all 18 AJCC locations countywide, including the Altadena Job Center at 464 W. Woodbury Rd., Suite 210. Organized by the LA County Department of Economic Opportunity, the pop-ups connect wildfire-displaced workers with paid positions, no-cost training, and supportive services — more than 14 months after the January 2025 fire destroyed more than 9,000 structures across Altadena and surrounding communities.

At each session, AJCC staff sit down one-on-one with job seekers to review career options and screen them for the Fire Recovery and Resilience Workforce Program, according to the press release. That program, funded by $14.2 million in state and federal grants, offers temporary jobs lasting three to five months with County departments including Public Works, Parks and Recreation, and Beaches and Harbors. Pay starts at $20 per hour.

Participants may also access no-cost job training in high-demand fields and a range of supportive services, according to the Department of Economic Opportunity.

“Eaton Fire survivors are facing challenges that most of us can hardly imagine,” Barger said in the statement. “They’ve lost homes, livelihoods, and a sense of stability all while navigating one of the most difficult economic climates in recent memory. These Fire Recovery Thursday pop-ups can be a lifeline.”

Barger, who represents the Fifth Supervisorial District that includes Altadena, encouraged anyone impacted by the January 2025 wildfires to attend.

The Altadena Job Center opened in September 2025 after a motion introduced by Barger and unanimously approved by the Board of Supervisors. Beyond the Thursday pop-ups, the center offers career counseling, resume preparation, and job placement services on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., according to the Department of Economic Opportunity. All services are free.

Employment in the Eaton fire area fell approximately 19% between mid-2024 and mid-2025, according to an economic impact study released in January by the Department of Economic Opportunity and the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation. Job losses were concentrated in consumer-facing industries, including food service, retail, and administrative support.

Attendees should bring a valid photo ID — such as a driver’s license, government-issued ID, or passport — along with work authorization documents, including a Social Security card or birth certificate, according to the press release. A resume is helpful but not required. Job seekers can also create a profile on CalJOBS in advance at caljobs.ca.gov.

To find the nearest AJCC location, visit ajcc.lacounty.gov/ajcc or call (888) 226-6300.

The Fire Recovery and Resilience Workforce Program was designed to support 1,000 workers countywide, according to the Department of Economic Opportunity. Barger’s office said the Thursday pop-ups would continue on a weekly basis.