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Pennsylvania State Agencies Hire 119 Former Federal Workers

State agency professionals enhancing operations through teamwork and collaboration.

News Summary

Following an executive order by Governor Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania state agencies have successfully hired 119 former federal employees across 22 departments. This initiative aims to enhance state operations and efficiently fill critical roles despite a federal funding freeze on state positions. Approximately 7,300 applications were received, showcasing the demand for skilled individuals in areas such as corrections, human services, and transportation. As job openings decrease on the state website, a virtual job fair is set for June 3, 2023, to connect federal workers with public sector opportunities.

Pennsylvania state agencies have employed 119 former federal workers since the signing of an executive order on March 5, 2023. These new hires span across 22 different departments, including crucial sectors such as human services, transportation, and corrections. This hiring occurred despite an ongoing freeze on state positions funded by federal dollars that was implemented on April 10, 2023.

The executive order, signed by Governor Josh Shapiro, was intended to streamline the hiring process for individuals who come from a federal background. Since the enactment of this order, state agencies have received around 7,300 applications from approximately 3,300 former federal employees. The decision to recruit these formerly federally employed individuals stems from their possession of valuable skills that can significantly enhance the effectiveness of state agency operations.

The 119 new hires have filled various roles across 55 distinct job titles. Positions filled include Corrections Officer Trainee, Intermittent Liquor Store Clerk, Unemployment Compensation Claims Intake Interviewer, Clerical Assistant 2, and Income Maintenance Caseworker. Although there is a hiring freeze in place, exceptions are allowed for roles that deal directly with care and are critical to agency functions. The hiring restrictions predominantly affect roles that require federal funding.

As of the latest update, there are 449 job openings listed on the Pennsylvania job site, indicating a decrease from nearly 600 postings noted in late April. This reduction in openings comes at a time when the federal workforce is experiencing layoffs, signaling a shift in job availability at the national level. The initiative to recruit former federal employees aligns with this broader trend of job losses under the former administration of President Trump.

In an effort to connect federal workers with job opportunities in state and local government, a virtual job fair is scheduled for June 3, 2023. This fair aims to facilitate interactions between potential candidates and available positions in the public sector. The state has also initiated a recruitment campaign that includes a dedicated online platform for federal employees seeking positions within the state government, along with awareness initiatives to alert eligible individuals about these opportunities.

Recruiting former federal workers is not seen as a mere act of goodwill, but rather a strategic effort to bolster the capabilities of the state’s workforce. The Secretary of Administration has emphasized that filling these roles with skilled individuals will contribute meaningfully to public service efforts. State agencies are making a concerted commitment to provide viable career opportunities for these former federal employees in order to improve the overall quality and efficiency of their services.

In summary, the proactive hiring of former federal workers despite the federal funding freeze highlights the Pennsylvania government’s approach to addressing workforce challenges while simultaneously providing skilled individuals with a pathway to continue their public service careers. This initiative reflects the administration’s dedication to optimizing workforce capabilities amid changing economic conditions and federal employment landscapes.