Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Altadena Job Center Hosts Weekly Sessions to Enroll Fire Survivors in County Workforce Program

Lake Avenue in Altadena, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. [Eddie Rivera / Pasadena Now]

Popups every Thursday offer in-person help accessing paid temporary positions for workers displaced by the Eaton Fire

Workers displaced by the January 2025 wildfires can visit the Altadena Job Center every Thursday from 1 to 4 p.m. for one-on-one help enrolling in a LA County program that offers paid temporary employment with departments involved in recovery and rebuilding.

The weekly recruitment popups, hosted by the LA County Department of Economic Opportunity, provide in-person eligibility screening and enrollment assistance for the Fire Recovery and Resilience Workforce Program. The program offers three-to-five months of paid work at $20 to $27 per hour with benefits, according to the department, with positions available in County departments including Public Works, Parks and Recreation, and Beaches and Harbors.

The Altadena Job Center, at 464 W. Woodbury Rd., Suite 210, was opened in September 2025 specifically to serve Eaton Fire survivors. The center is co-located at the LA County Department of Public Works’ Altadena One-Stop Permit Center.

“The Altadena Job Center reflects a deep commitment to meeting our community needs at the right level and at the right location,” Kelly LoBianco, director of the Department of Economic Opportunity, said when the center opened. “We’re making sure people have all the necessary access to the County personnel and tools they need, whether they’re searching for a new job, rebuilding after the fire, or looking to grow their business.”

The Eaton Fire, which began January 7, 2025, destroyed more than 9,000 structures and killed 19 people. An economic impact analysis released by LA County in September estimated the fires affected more than 47,000 workers across the burn zones and evacuation areas, with total output losses projected between $5.2 billion and $10.1 billion.

To qualify for the workforce program, participants must be at least 18 years old, have lost work due to the January 2025 wildfires or been unemployed for more than four weeks, and provide proof of LA County residency and U.S. work authorization, according to the department’s website.

Beyond the Thursday recruitment popups, the Altadena Job Center offers career counseling, resume preparation, job training for industry-recognized credentials, and job placement services. Regular hours are Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Services are free. Both walk-in and scheduled appointments are available.

“I’m proud to see the Altadena Job Center open its doors and begin serving our community,” Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger said in September. “This resource is especially meaningful for Eaton Fire survivors who are still working to rebuild their lives and livelihoods.”

For more information, call (888) 226-6300, email NDWG@opportunity.lacounty.gov, or visit opportunity.lacounty.gov/fireworkforce.

The Fire Recovery and Resilience Workforce Program is funded by $14.2 million in grants from the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency and Employment Development Department, according to DEO.