The Peace Corps is bracing for major staff cuts after a sweeping review by the Department of Government Efficiency spurred a significant restructuring effort at the agency, the Guardian reported Monday.
As part of the shakeup, the agency is offering staff a second voluntary resignation program – referred to as a “fork in the road” buyout – aimed at reducing its workforce. The buyout, officially titled “DRP 2.0,” will be available to both domestic and overseas direct hire and expert staff between April 28 and May 6, according to an email sent by Allison Greene, the chief executive of Peace Corps.
Greene told employees in the email to expect “significant restricting efforts” at agency headquarters, the email obtained by the Guardian stated. Those eligible will be contacted by human resources and “are strongly encouraged to consider this option,” Greene wrote.
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“DOGE started its work at Peace Corps headquarters in the beginning of April,” the Guardian reported Monday. “DOGE workers have continued to work in the building over the following weeks,” where Peace Corps staffers were directed to cooperate with employees of the cost-cutting agency led by tech billionaire Elon Musk
It remains unknown “how many Peace Corps jobs will be cut or if DOGE will direct the agency to do more than this new round of buyouts.”
Despite the turmoil, Greene insisted that the cuts wouldn’t affect the agency’s core purpose. She said that the Peace Corps will “continue to recruit, place, and train volunteers,” adding that the cuts are specifically for agency staff and will not impact volunteers.
The buyout offers mark the second voluntary exit program the agency has launched in recent months under DOGE.