Forest Service Buys Out Workers

The U.S. Forest Service today will open its third round of voluntary employee buyouts so another 200 workers can be trimmed from the national work force of nearly 40,000.

Eligible workers can choose early retirement or resign with a lump sum payment of up to $25,000, depending on salary and years of service.

Since the buyouts began last spring, nearly 2,700 people have opted to end their Forest Service careers as part of an agency downsizing program.

“There are some changes from the previous buyout,” Associate Forest Service Chief David Unger said in a recent letter to agency managers.

“One change is that the number of buyouts is expected to be smaller because many eligible employees have separated. Secondly, all employees are invited to apply; there are no up-front exclusions as there were in the past.”

Buyout approval depends on how critical the employee’s job is.

The agency will take applications through March 3. By the middle of March, the agency will decide which ones to accept.