The U.S. Forest Service is set to terminate approximately 3,400 federal employees at all levels of the agency, effective Thursday, following the passing of a ‘deferred resignation’ deadline, as disclosed by sources familiar with the situation.
Probationary Period Focus
The layoffs primarily target employees still in their probationary period, making their dismissal more straightforward. It’s noteworthy that public safety workers within the USFS are exempt from this workforce reduction.
Impact on Roles
While firefighting positions remain unaffected, other roles supporting wildfire prevention face cuts. Employees engaged in road and trail upkeep, timber production, and watershed restoration are among those affected by the downsizing.
Strategic Move
These actions transpired post the deadline for the ‘Fork in the Road’ initiative by the Trump administration, which urged employees to resign but remain on the payroll until September. The exact number of USDA staff opting for deferred resignation is yet to be disclosed.
Agency Workforce Reduction
This round of layoffs translates to a 10% decrease in the Forest Service’s workforce, totaling 35,000 employees. This reduction could potentially pose challenges for the government in handling the escalating intensity of wildfires and overseeing vast federal forest and grassland areas.
Operational Impact
Employees in probationary periods typically engage in fieldwork, such as facilitating timber sales and aiding in wildfire mitigation, as opposed to their more seasoned counterparts. Similarly, other federal agencies like the Department of Energy and Small Business Administration are contemplating similar workforce cuts.
Administration’s Stance
The current administration, in collaboration with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, has been swift in curtailing government spending and downsizing the federal workforce. Notably, USDA has already placed diversity, equity, and inclusion-related roles on administrative leave, while the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development has led to the furlough of several Foreign Agricultural Service employees.
For further details on this developing story, stay tuned for updates from official sources.
