Government Efficiency Reboot: GSA Hires Hundreds of Employees After DOGE Cuts

In a move that signals a marked shift in federal hiring practices, the General Services Administration (GSA) is poised to bring on hundreds of new employees across its Public Building Service (PBS) division. This significant development comes roughly a year after Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) effectively fired thousands of government workers, including many at GSA.

The hiring effort, which aims to fill approximately 400 positions, will focus on addressing key areas of need within the agency, including facilities management, acquisition, and project management. This move represents a stark departure from the draconian cuts imposed by DOGE, which disproportionately affected GSA’s PBS division. In March 2025, hundreds of employees were let go, and the agency was instructed to divest itself of over 500 government buildings – a plan that was later walked back.

The GSA’s reversal on hiring is particularly noteworthy in light of its previous efforts to restructure and slim down its workforce. As recently as last May, nearly 3,100 workers had accepted deferred resignation offers or been laid off, with the agency citing the need for efficiency and cost-cutting measures. The departure of Stephen Ehikian, GSA’s former acting head, in September 2025 seemed to signal a new era of austerity.

However, it appears that Ehikian’s departure from government has led to a change in direction at the GSA. Under his successor, the agency is now prioritizing workforce rebuilding and strategic hiring. This shift is likely driven by the recognition that a leaner, more efficient government must still be able to deliver effective services to the American people.

The hiring spree at GSA’s PBS division also raises questions about the long-term implications for federal agencies. As ICE continues its expansion across the US, it will be interesting to see how this new wave of hires at GSA affects the overall federal workforce and its ability to respond to emerging challenges. Will this marked shift in hiring practices become a trend across other government agencies? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – the GSA’s bold move to hire hundreds of employees signals a renewed commitment to rebuilding and strengthening the federal government’s capacity for effective service delivery.

Source: https://www.wired.com/story/doge-cuts-gsa-plans-to-hire-hundreds-of-employees/