Interior Announces Strategic Initiative to Improve Efficiency, Boost American Energy Independence & Better Serve the American Taxpayer

After several rounds of deferred resignation offers in 2025, on April 2, 2026, the Department of Interior announced a new “strategic initiative to improve resource management and the delivery of critical services,” including “streamlining outdated bureaucracy.” As part of this initiative, it is again offering another Deferred Resignation Program to employees as well as Voluntary Early Retirement. According to Government Executive, the offer applied to most employees other than fire fighters, law enforcement officers, and staff involved in oil and gas permits. The Department also announced, as part of this effort, a push to move more employees of the National Park Service to "visitor-facing roles."