While efforts to trim the federal workforce make the headlines, some agencies are plainly understaffed. A new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) says that while the Department of Transportation’s
Image: GAO
While efforts to trim the federal workforce make the headlines, some agencies are plainly understaffed. A new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) says that while the Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) has about 800 employees to carry out its many missions, it is facing staff turnover, high numbers of employees eligible to retire, and vacancies in critical positions. And it doesn’t have a strategic human capital plan to address how it will hire and retain employees.
GAO says that growing interest in revitalizing America’s maritime industrial base has put a spotlight on the issue.
While MARAD’s budget grew by approximately 314% from fiscal years 2015 through 2024, as of September 2024, it had a 12.3% vacancy rate—116 vacancies out of 941 authorized full-time positions. In addition, MARAD separated 235 more employees than it hired over the last 10 years. According to MARAD officials, these vacancies have made it increasingly difficult for the staff to accomplish
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