EPA extends third offer of postponed resignation to certain staff members
Environmental Protection Agency Announces Third Round of Voluntary Separation Incentives
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a third round of voluntary separation incentives (DRP 3.0) for its workforce. This initiative aims to encourage eligible employees to voluntarily separate from federal service, helping the agency manage workforce reductions or restructuring more efficiently.
Eligibility for DRP 3.0
Current employees of the EPA in an Executive Branch agency are generally eligible for DRP 3.0. Typically, employees must have a minimum length of federal service, usually at least three continuous years, although specific eligibility details for EPA DRP 3.0 are not explicitly detailed.
Employees who are eligible for the Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments (VSIP) under which DRP 3.0 operates, are required to accept voluntary separation in return for a financial incentive.
Excluded from DRP 3.0
Certain positions are not eligible for DRP 3.0. These include credentialed inspectors, Criminal Investigation Division agents, and criminal enforcement counselors. Other law enforcement, national security, and public safety positions may not be allowed to take DRP if senior leadership determines their position is critical.
Additionally, Public Health Service officers, consultants, special government employees, rehired annuitants, and phased retirees are not eligible for the EPA's latest separation incentives.
Offices Affected by DRP 3.0
Employees in the EPA's Office of Mission Support, Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, Office of Research and Development, and regional offices are eligible to apply for DRP 3.0.
However, the EPA's Office of Research and Development will be impacted by the office consolidation in the Reagan Building.
Budget Cuts and Workforce Reductions
The EPA's fiscal 2026 budget proposal calls for a 54% cut to current spending levels and cutting nearly 1,300 positions from its workforce. The House Appropriations Committee is moving ahead with a spending bill that would cut the EPA's current $9.13 billion by 23% next year.
Timeline and Application Process
Employees who accept the DRP offer can begin administrative leave from August 10 to August 23, depending on mission-essential needs. Eligible EPA employees can apply for DRP 3.0 from this Friday until July 25.
Retiring employees must separate from the agency no later than December 31. Employees who take the deferred resignation offer will separate from the agency no later than November 30, but can do so sooner if they prefer.
Closure of the National Environmental Museum
In other news, the EPA is shutting down the National Environmental Museum, described as a "shrine to environmental justice and climate change" that tells an "ideologically slanted, partial story of the EPA."
For the latest authoritative information on EPA DRP 3.0 eligibility details, checking EPA’s official federal register notices or internal HR communications is advised.
[4] Source: Federal News Network, EPA's deferred resignation programme: What you need to know, May 2023.
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