Workers Focused on Energy Exempt from Interior Staff Reductions

Wildland firefighters, cybersecurity, and some energy-related permitting positions are exempt from the Interior Department’s voluntary early retirement and separation incentive offers it began giving employees on Monday.

The Office of Personnel Management granted the Interior Department Voluntary Early Retirement Authority and Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments as a way to slash staff and restructure the agency, according to an email the Interior Department sent to its employees Monday. The email was provided by a US Fish and Wildlife Service employee and confirmed by another Interior Department employee with knowledge of the agency’s plans.

All Interior Department employees are being offered early ...