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The U.S. Interior Department is initiating a significant restructuring process, which includes a call for employees to submit their resumes in anticipation of workforce reductions. Expected to commence on May 4, this centralization effort will consolidate various functions—including human resources, information technology, finance, and communications—within the main framework of the department, rather than allowing these operations to remain dispersed across individual bureaus.
Although immediate layoffs are not anticipated, officials acknowledge that future job reductions are likely to occur as the department continues to assess opportunities for workforce optimization. In a recent communication, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) informed employees about ongoing evaluations of staff roles, with certain positions deemed essential for fulfilling the department’s mission and public safety being safeguarded against potential layoffs.
In alignment with these assessments, USGS urged its employees to ensure that their personnel files are accurate and complete, while also requesting updated resumes from all employees. The National Park Service (NPS) is reportedly preparing to send a similar notice to its staff, signaling that all employees should confirm the accuracy of their personnel records and submit their resumes, which may help determine eligibility for alternative roles should layoffs occur.
Concerns are emerging among the workforce regarding the implications of submitting resumes, with some suggesting that this exercise might allow the department to identify mission-critical positions. Alyse Sharpe, a spokesperson for the Interior Department, emphasized compliance with federal guidelines but did not provide specific details regarding plans for workforce reduction.
Additionally, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has also requested that its employees submit updated resumes in anticipation of potential layoffs similar to those being planned by the Interior Department.
The consolidation plans, first disclosed by Government Executive, have since been confirmed by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who noted that affected bureaus will soon report directly to the office of the secretary. Assistant Secretary Tyler Hassen, who previously worked in the Department of Government Efficiency, is overseeing this transition.
The USGS has offered various voluntary separation incentives, including a second round of the “deferred resignation program,” allowing employees to remain on paid leave until they exit the agency by September 30. As reported by an insider, approximately 1,100 employees at NPS have expressed interest in participating in this program, although many applications are currently under review due to administrative requirements ensuring that essential functions remain staffed.
Critics of the department’s directive have raised alarms about its potential impact on park operations. Kristen Brengel, senior vice president at the National Parks Conservation Association, criticized the order as “reckless and out of touch,” arguing that it undermines the National Park Service’s ability to respond effectively to operational challenges, especially at a time when the agency is still grappling with staffing shortages exacerbated by previous administrative policies.
Brengel further elaborated on how the order could hinder local park management, indicating that the requirement for additional bureaucratic approval before making decisions about park accessibility could lead to operational bottlenecks that might compromise visitor safety and service quality.
The NPS, alongside the IRS and the Agriculture Department, continues to scrutinize deferred resignation program applications to prevent disruptions in mission-critical work. Reports have indicated that the USDA has already denied some applications based on concerns about the effects on essential services, such as avian influenza response efforts.
In preparation for the upcoming reductions and consolidations, HR departments across the Interior are diligently reviewing employee documentation to ensure accuracy. Amidst these changes, the agency is simultaneously ramping up recruitment efforts for thousands of seasonal positions, anticipating peak visitation rates during the summer months.
Amid these structural changes, it’s projected that USGS may see an uptick in participation in its deferred resignation program, particularly from employees aged 40 and above, who have added time to consider their options. Notably, it has been reported that nearly two-thirds of the highest-ranking staff within USGS have opted for resignation under this initiative.
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