Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory will offer a voluntary separation program for up to 600 employees, Director Parney Albright announced today (May 2).

The National Nuclear Security Administration has approved the Self-Select Voluntary Separation Program (SSVSP), which will be available to all career employees and will offer one week of "consideration pay," or base salary per year of continuous service, up to 26 weeks.

The SSVSP is being offered as a means to address budget challenges in fiscal year 2014.

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory will offer a voluntary separation program for up to 600 employees, Director Parney Albright announced May 2. Photo courtesy of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

"Although there remain a number of unknowns about how the budget request for FY14 would flow down to our Laboratory, it is clear the budget proposal will face an uphill battle in Congress this summer, with continuing debates about reducing federal spending, a possible FY14 sequester and the debt ceiling," Albright explained.

"It is our hope that implementing the SSVSP now, rather than waiting for additional details on the FY14 budget, will put the Laboratory in a better posture to address whatever budget realities we'll face in FY14 and beyond."

The SSVSP application process will begin May 8, with exits from the Lab scheduled by June 13. Though all career indefinite employees may apply for the VSP, Albright said applications will be reviewed to ensure the Laboratory retains the necessary skills mix to meet its missions.

Following completion of the SSVSP, the Laboratory will conduct a review of the remaining workforce against the funding and skills needed to position the Laboratory for FY14.