Gov. Josh Shapiro on Wednesday issued an Executive Order that seeks to capitalize on recent federal layoffs by streamlining Pennsylvania’s hiring process to recruit a talented pool of workers to fill state civil service jobs.
“Under this Executive Order, my administration will consider relevant federal work experience as equivalent to commonwealth work experience so skilled, experienced federal employees can pre-qualify for existing open positions with the commonwealth — while continuing to protect pathways for veterans to continue their service,” the governor said during a March 5 press conference.
Shapiro signed Executive Order 2025-01 to help fill critical, already-funded vacancies in the commonwealth workforce with experienced former federal employees who have specialized expertise in important fields like civil engineering, nursing, corrections, and accounting, among other positions.
As part of the order, Shapiro said his administration also launched a new website with information about state government opportunities that align with the experience of former federal employees, and will host virtual and in-person job fairs for them.
For instance, the governor signed the Executive Order at the second annual Commonwealth Job Fair in Harrisburg, Pa., earlier this week where more than 40 state agencies provided job seekers with information about public service careers and hundreds of open positions to nearly 900 registered attendees.
“Under my administration, we’ve worked to speed up hiring, fill essential vacancies, and recruit more qualified employees who have helped us cut processing times, reduce wait lists, and deliver results for the people of Pennsylvania,” said Shapiro. “Right now, Pennsylvania still has 540 critical jobs to fill, and we have an opportunity to recruit federal workers and veterans who have significant experience and expertise in all of these fields because they’ve held these jobs already at the federal level or in the military.”
The effort builds on his administration’s work to streamline commonwealth hiring processes, which so far have reduced hiring times by 32 percent and filled nearly 600 previously vacant permitting, licensing, and certification jobs, he said.
State Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) isn’t convinced Shapiro’s latest Executive Order is necessary.
“We must be thoughtful and deliberative when looking to fill state positions. Hiring the most qualified individuals should always be our focus, which does not require any Executive Order,” Pittman said in a March 5 statement. “Cutting waste, fraud, and abuse from government is something an overwhelming number of taxpayers have been vocal about supporting across all levels of government.”
The senator also pointed out that the Trump administration’s attempts to cut waste, fraud, and abuse at the federal level are being done to provide long-term stability for the nation, and also serves to further underscore the need for the Pennsylvania government to rein in spending at the state level.
“As details are being closely examined, it is clear Gov. Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget proposal increasing spending by $3.6 billion from the current year’s budget is not a realistic path to close the state’s multi-billion-dollar structural deficit,” he added.
Details in the order
With 104,000 federal employees in Pennsylvania, many possess in-demand skills, according to Shapiro, who said the Executive Order specifically directs the Office of Administration to:
- Match federal job titles with state job classifications so workers can easily identify how their experience translates into state government roles.
- Host in-person and virtual recruitment events to connect federal employees directly with state job opportunities.
- Create a new website for former federal employees, which includes an overview of Pennsylvania’s hiring process; information on civil service vs. non-civil service jobs, details about the benefits of working for the commonwealth; a list of 23 high-priority, hard-to-fill state jobs and their federal equivalents; and information for veterans and military service members and direct access to recruiter contacts for additional support.
“The federal public-sector workforce is one of the most professional and qualified in the world, and we know that many federal jobs have similar duties to jobs performed by commonwealth employees,” said State Secretary of Administration Neil Weaver. “This Executive Order will help individuals with federal work experience find relevant job opportunities, continue their public service careers, and put their skills to work for the people of Pennsylvania.”
During the press conference Wednesday, Jonathan Skripka, director of disaster recovery assistance at the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, said his experience working for the federal government prepared him to work in state government.
“When I had the opportunity to bring my [federal work] expertise back home to Pennsylvania, I took it because I wanted to make a difference here,” said Skripka. “The skills I gained in the federal government have helped me navigate complex policies and deliver disaster relief more efficiently to those in need.
“Gov. Shapiro’s Executive Order creates a clear pathway for more federal employees to bring their talents to state service, ensuring that Pennsylvania continues to benefit from experienced, dedicated public servants — just as I have been fortunate to do,” he added.
State Civil Service Commissioner Pam Iovino discussed how her military experience prepared her for state-level work, saying that her experience as a former state senator, a 24-year Navy veteran, and her current position with the commission exemplifies how hiring veterans and experienced federal workers is always a smart investment.
“They bring world-class training, valuable skills, and a strong commitment to public service,” Iovino said. “With this Executive Order, Gov. Shapiro is making it easier for highly qualified professionals to continue serving by bringing their expertise to Pennsylvania’s workforce — strengthening our government and expanding opportunities for those ready to step up and lead.”
Legislative initiative
Shapiro also announced his support for the Civil Service Modernization Act (CSMA), a legislative initiative cosponsored by State Reps. Dave Madsen (D-104), Justin Fleming (D-105), and Nathan Davidson (D-103), as well as State Sen. Patty Kim (D-15).
If enacted, the bill would modernize Pennsylvania’s civil service system — a structure that has remained largely unchanged for over 80 years, according to the lawmakers, who noted that 70 percent of all commonwealth jobs are currently civil service positions, but outdated requirements and policies have slowed the hiring process, limiting opportunities for qualified job seekers.
The CSMA would streamline outdated hiring practices, expand access to state jobs, and improve recruitment and retention while preserving the integrity of merit-based hiring, they said.
For instance, the CSMA would amend current law to permit job postings to stay open for longer than the authorized 14-day minimum; create new pathways for individuals with disabilities to secure commonwealth jobs; and protect veterans’ hiring preference, among other provisions.
“This modernization proposal allows government to keep pace and compete for talent in this rapidly changing employment market,” Kim said. “It also puts the commonwealth in the lead for attracting the qualified talent pool of recently displaced federal workers.”
Madsen agreed, saying the CSMA is a long-overdue step toward building a 21st-century workforce for Pennsylvania. “This is about making sure the commonwealth is not only a model employer but also a place where opportunity is open to everyone, including veterans, individuals with disabilities, and the next generation of public servants,” he said.