How will the workforce reduction occur on Refuges?
Seventeen of the positions slated for abolishment are currently vacant. The Region has requested authority from Washington to offer the voluntary early out/buyout option Voluntary Early Retirement Authority-Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay (VERA/VSIP) to some employees. If approved this is anticipated to create another 20-30 vacancies. There will likely be another 5-10 normal retirements within the next three year window of the plan. Voluntary reassignments will be an option for some individuals and others will transfer through normal job changes. Our hope is most of the targeted positions will be covered by one of the above processes. Directed reassignments may be used as another option but are not under consideration at this point. The last resort is a Reduction-in-Force ( RIF ) and would occur only with a larger than expected budget cut. Being able to increase operating margins early will allow more flexibility should larger than expected budgets cuts occur.
