Trump's downsizing continues with offers for early retirements, buyouts at weather agency
A major weather forecasting and scientific research agency is offering buyouts and early retirement to employees, according to a memo obtained by Paste BN, the Trump administration's latest step in reducing the size of the federal workforce.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration told employees Thursday that most could take a voluntary separation incentive payment, or they could take early retirement if they are age 50 with 20 years of service or any age with at least 25 years of service.
The offer is separate from the Trump administration's deferred resignation efforts, called "Fork in the Road", which allowed employees to resign their jobs but get paid through the end of September, and any firings of probationary employees.
Paste BN has reached out to NOAA for comment.
Agencies can offer buyouts of up to $25,000 as part of reductions in force. The Education Department had more than 300 people accept the same type of buyout as part of its overall plan to slash the workforce.
Similar offers for buyouts or early retirement have gone out to the General Services Administration, which manages federal buildings; the Department of the Interior; and the U.S. Postal Service.
NOAA employees need to apply to the programs by April 17 and must end working by May 3, the memo says.
The Department of the Interior offered both programs, known as VERA and VSIP, to its employees in an effort to accomplish the reduction in force the department has been asked to complete. An email to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees stated the buyouts would allow it to "meet future restructuring needs."
“This opportunity enables us to streamline our core business processes and meet the Service’s goals of maintaining balanced budgets and maintaining costs,” stated the email viewed by Paste BN.
The Service offered the plans to employees in all pay sectors, but excluded management positions in wildland fire, emergency response and some positions in law enforcement, dispatching, aviation, human resources, cyber security and permitting. Employees must accept the offer by March 26, and must separate by May 31.
Contributing: Dinah Voyles Pulver