Central California Consortium

Jim Oftedal - Program Director

More than 12 years as CCC Director, James Oftedal provides overall program leadership and direction.  He aligns the program with the goals and objectives of the US Forest Service GPRA Strategic Plan, Presidential Executive Orders, and the Regional Forester's partnership and collaboration priority. He serves as principle liaison between government agencies, non-profit organizations, local businesses, school districts, as well as colleges and universities.

Lily M. Nieves - Assistant Director

Lily Nieves assists the program director with overall program coordination, as well leadership.  Her responsibilities include researching and writing documents such as grant proposals, accomplishment reports, press releases, partner agreements, and letters of support/recommendation. She edits the CCC program update and program marketing materials.  Lily also serves as a community liaison working with partners.

Juana Rosas - Rural Coordinator

Juana Rosas implements the rural Generation Green (GG) program.  As the lead GG club advisor, she provides environmental education and leadership opportunities to diverse youth. She coordinates the GG summer leadership program, where high school students become stewards of the land, while being exposed to natural resource careers.  Juana she encourages higher education and serves as a mentor to students. 

Julissa Gonzalez -Job Placement Coordinator

Julissa Gonzalez places CCC students in summer and career employment opportunities within the Forest Service and other agencies.  She assists students with career counseling and resume writing, while assisting supervisors with the student hiring process.  Julissa is also responsible for conducting outreach and recruitment, developing and maintaining the program web page, and coordinating program events and career training workshops.

Chor Yang - Asian Community Liaison / Budget Analyst

Chor Yang helps facilitate outreach and recruitment programs in the Asian communities of central California.  She has helped organize and participated in many events including: the Hmong International New Year, the Hmong Resource Fair, and the Hmong National Development Conference. Chor also analyzes and prepares program budget reports by tracking expenditures and helps organize the office by ordering office supplies.

Jose Zavala - Environmental Educator

Jose Zavala Perez leads an environmental education after school program in a rural community.  He develops science based lesson plans which meet state standards and include hands on activities for grades 4th and 5th, as well as students with disabilities in grades 6 through 8.  Jose is responsible for maintaining the elementary school garden and serves as co-advisor of the Generation Green Club at Reedley High School.

saulfernandez@fs.fed.us

Saul Fernandez - Assistant HR Officer

Saul Fernandez assists the Job Placement Coordinator in placing students into summer and career positions within the Forest Service and other agencies. He maintains a centralized database of applications and students placed.  Saul also guides students through the student application and hiring process, assists in creating the Student Internship Booklet, and helps organize career training workshops and program events.