Photo: Paul Heasman

In light of budget shortfalls, some federal agencies have asked for permission to seek buyouts or have implemented hiring freezes, a Federal News Radio survey found.

The Air Force and Social Security Administration both said they have implemented hiring freezes. The Education, Defense Department, Agriculture Department and the Smithsonian have all asked permission for buyouts from the Office of Personnel Management.

“The Air Force has already implemented civilian hiring controls – two out, one in – to meet our FY-2012 authorized end-strength,” an Air Force official said.

OPM granted the Education Department its request to offer buyouts and some have been offered this year, a department official said. The USDA also received permission to offer buyouts to its employees.

Federal Computer Week reports Linda Burek, the chief information officer for USDA’s Rural Development Bureau, accepted an early retirement offer as part of USDA’s buyout initiative.