Why Does FDA Restrict Hiring to the DC Metro Area While Other HHS Agencies Hire Nationwide?
I'm curious whether anyone knows the rationale behind FDA's current hiring approach.
Across HHS, I've seen many vacancy announcements that are open nationwide or have broad geographic eligibility. In contrast, FDA appears to be limiting many positions to the DC metro/local commuting area.
Given the staffing shortages, loss of experienced employees during the 2025 reorganization and RIF, and FDA's ongoing recruiting efforts, this seems to significantly narrow the applicant pool. What makes this particularly surprising is that FDA has facilities, laboratories, district offices, resident posts, and other operations located throughout the country, not just in the Washington, DC area.
Has FDA leadership provided any explanation for this policy? Is it related to return-to-office requirements, budget constraints, workforce planning, or something else? I'm genuinely curious whether there's an operational reason for the difference between FDA and other HHS agencies.