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“As the Trump administration marches forward with its plan to dramatically slash the federal workforce, agencies are bidding farewell to employees who have agreed to resign now in exchange for pay and benefits through September.

But at least one agency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), is already scrambling to fill some of those newly vacant roles, according to internal communications seen by NPR.

On Thursday, a day after the departure of hundreds of employees who accepted the deferred resignation offer, remaining APHIS employees received an email from human resources announcing "lateral transfer opportunities." Qualified employees are invited to apply by Tuesday for 73 open positions "that are especially critical to fill as soon as possible," the email said.

The agency is looking for scientists, budget analysts, technicians, inspectors, and a veterinarian to carry out its mission to protect the health, welfare, and value of America's plants, animals, and natural resources.

The immediate posting of these jobs has infuriated employees who took the deferred resignation offer out of fear that their positions would be eliminated.

"We are now all at home, being paid to stay home while they announce, less than 24 hours later, our jobs," said one APHIS employee who accepted deferred resignation and now sees their position on the list of openings. "What logic metric is being used to justify this?"

The employee, whose role involved ensuring that agricultural commodities entering the U.S. are both legal and safe, agreed to speak with NPR on condition of anonymity out of fear of reprisal for speaking to the media.  ...”

SEE: After paying people to leave, USDA scrambles to fill positions : NPR

https://www.npr.org/2025/05/03/nx-s1-5384961/usda-deferred-resignation-federal-workers-aphis