Retirees Re-Entry Program Launched To Recruit Former Government Employees Into Hard-To-Fill Positions

The V.I. Division of Personnel announced on Monday the rollout of the Retirees Re-Entry Program (RRP), which seeks to leverage retired public sector professionals to fill vital government roles amid the territory’s current labor crunch.

Enabled by legislation previously passed in the Senate, the program “offers a pathway for retirees to return to government service in hard-to-fill positions without forfeiting their annuities, thus presenting a win-win scenario for both the government and the retiree,” said Personnel Director Cindy Richardson.

As a criteria to participate, she noted that retirees would have had to have left government service at least nine months prior before reapplying, “thus maintaining a balance between fresh retirement and re-engagement in public service.” The re-hired retirees will only be allowed to serve a single three-year term for the most part, “with specific exceptions for critical roles such as nurses, teachers and police officers,” Ms. Richardson noted.

Governor Bryan praised the program for its flexibility, noting that returnees are able to work part-time hours if they so choose.