DOGE cuts spark surge in federal worker transitions

On FEB 12 2026, DOGE dropped by 0.12% within 24 hours to reach $0.09125, marking a 7.36% decline over seven days, 12.73% over a month, and 22.54% over the past year. Despite this, developments surrounding the federal workforce have sparked new conversations about the role of former government employees.

A year after the implementation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts—part of a broader agenda to streamline the federal government—hundreds of thousands of federal workers faced job losses or reassignments. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management reported that more than 350,000 federal employees left their roles last year, many through deferred resignation programs.

Amid these changes, the nonprofit Work for America has emerged as a pivotal resource for displaced federal workers. Founded in November 2024, the organization helps former federal employees transition to roles in state and local government. Over the past year, it has placed nearly 200 job seekers into new positions and attracted over 12,800 job seekers to its Civic Match program since President Trump’s election. These individuals represent more than 30 federal agencies, including the General Services Administration, USAID, and the Department of Education.

Chantel Williams, a former GSA employee, exemplifies the challenges and opportunities faced by many during this transition. Initially uncertain about her future in the wake of DOGE reforms, Williams ultimately took a deferred resignation and joined Work for America. Today, she serves as a product and data manager, helping to streamline the platform that connects skilled professionals with local governments in need of expertise.

Caitlin Lewis, founder and director of Work for America, emphasized the unique challenges posed by the federal workforce reductions. Many employees had long viewed government jobs as stable, and the abrupt changes created a sense of disorientation. Lewis’s organization, now employing 15 staff members, has grown to meet the demand for support services, including job placement and skill development.

The nonprofit’s success is not limited to placing workers. It has also become a conduit for reimagining the public sector. Former federal employee Nate Haight, for instance, transitioned from a decade-long career at USAID to a grants administrator role in Indiana. His experience reflects the broader trend of displaced workers leveraging their federal experience to contribute at the local level.

Despite these efforts, the transition has not been seamless. Hope Rahill, a former Biden appointee now serving as director of people and culture at Work for America, noted that many former federal workers remain unemployed or underemployed. She highlighted the need for continued support to ensure that these professionals can fully realize their potential in new environments.

As Work for America looks to the future, it is expanding its offerings, including AI-powered matching and city-specific job targeting. These enhancements aim to improve the efficiency and reach of the platform, further aiding in the transition of skilled professionals from the federal to the local sphere.

While the immediate impact of DOGE remains a topic of political debate, organizations like Work for America demonstrate that the ripple effects of government restructuring can create new opportunities for individuals and communities alike.