OPM Launches Hiring Push for Certain Workers as Agencies Continue Workforce Streamlining

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is launching new programs to attract certain workers into the federal government including project managers and early career employees. This comes as some agencies– including the Department of Interior– are resuming efforts to streamline their workforce. 

On the hiring front: OPM announced a cross-government hiring action to bring project managers into federal service. The administration says project managers are needed in a variety of areas including artificial intelligence, healthcare, defense, finance, and others.  

OPM will use a shared certificate to allow several agencies to hire qualified candidates from the same pool for one year. The goal is to hire about 250 workers. 

“This effort helps agencies identify and hire professionals who can drive execution, manage risk, and ensure results for the American people,” said OPM Director Scott Kupor.    

Early Career Talent Network

OPM also launched an Early Career Talent Network available at EarlyCareers.gov to bring younger workers into federal service. The online portal will allow interested candidates to sign up for announcements on job postings and hiring events.  

The portal includes a career matching quiz and direct links to jobs in specific areas like finance, human resources, and project management. It also allows for a collective system where agencies can find and access talent. 

“The ultimate goal here is very simple, but audacious,” wrote Director Kupor. “Make it really simple to match the best talent with the best opportunities.”

White House Fellows Program

Applications were also opened for the White House Fellows Program with applications due by 5pm eastern on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. 

Those selected for the fellowship program will spend a year in Washington, aiding the work of senior administration officials. The program will begin in September 2026. 

Applicants must have completed an undergraduate education. Federal employees are not eligible to apply, except for active-duty military personnel. 

Interior Department Offers Buyouts, Resignations

Meanwhile, the Interior Department is looking to further streamline its workforce, offering a new opportunity to participate in the deferred resignation program or the voluntary early retirement program. 

The move was announced amid the launch of a "strategic initiative to improve resource management and the delivery of critical services nationwide.” 

“Effective stewardship requires disciplined management of the resources entrusted to us,” said Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.

The plan also calls for aligning more National Park Service (NPS) positions to visitor-facing roles. 

In October 2025, the Interior Department told a federal court that it planned to cut 2,000 positions. Those layoffs coincided with the government shutdown and layoffs during that time were later blocked both by the courts and Congress. However, layoff protections from Congress expired in mid-February. So far, no agency has followed through on sending out layoff notices.