The National Weather Service (NWS) is seeking to hire 126 people, including at least some meteorologists, after massive layoffs at the agency left several offices understaffed. Tom Fahy, legislative director at a union that represents NWS employees, told The Hill that the weather service would conduct the hiring. Positions that would be open include meteorologists, hydrologists, physical scientists and electronics technicians. Fahy, with the National Weather Service Employees Organization, said that the physical scientists category includes some meteorologists, while the electronics technicians maintain equipment like radars. The move to hire more staff was first reported by CNN. National Weather Service seeks 126 staff after massive layoffs Layoff people only to hire them back? Is this what in the E in DOGE stands for?
That almost certainly was their plan - fire what is likely too many people, see if you can still function, and if not then hire people back. The difference being instead of shipping a few less widgets because you cut too deep, people could be harmed or killed.
Although that's an accurate description of what's happened under Elon's DOGE bros I seriously doubt that it was part of an actual plan. They cut employment at federal agencies with a meataxe and only discovered after the fact that the decision has resulted in unacceptable consequences. They entered the process with complete ignorance of the functions of the agencies and the roles of the employees and had no desire to educate themselves.
This is often the result of taking a sledge hammer to a tiny nail. You break more in the process and the fix ends up more than if you had used a proper tool in the first place. I don't think anyone disagrees there is waste in government, and it's a good thing to try and reduce it. However, Musk's ready, fire, aim approach was never the right way to do things as it created more problems than it solved.
Florida meteorologist says that he might be unable to provide accurate hurricane forecasts this season due to cuts: https://www.fastcompany.com/9134543...mps-noaa-cuts-are-degrading-weather-forecasts
Those willing to return are those who have been unable to find employment elsewhere. Aka, the least qualified.
If I were only younger I would love to apply for a job as a weatherman....It would be awesome to have a job where you can be wrong 90% of the time and not get fired.
