In March 2025, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro issued an executive order directing the state’s Office of Administration (OA) to accept federal government experience as equivalent to Commonwealth of Pennsylvania work experience for civil service roles.
Issued in the wake of mass reductions in force at the federal level, the order was intended to help individuals with federal work experience find relevant job opportunities and put their public sector skills to work within Pennsylvania government.
In a recently released statement, Shapiro announced that the Commonwealth has hired more than 800 former federal workers since the signing of that order, “bringing specialized expertise to state agencies and helping deliver essential programs and services that millions of Pennsylvanians rely on every day.”
These new employees “are making an impact across state agencies, serving in law enforcement, public safety, human services, healthcare and other critical roles,” the statement read.
According to Shapiro’s office, the Commonwealth’s HR staff used generative AI to analyze the qualifications of jobs prioritized by state agencies, identifying comparable roles in the federal workforce. This information became part of a new website, Careers for Federal Employees, that includes a list of key Commonwealth positions and their equivalent job titles in the federal government.
“When Gov. Shapiro signed this executive order last year, we made a commitment to seize the opportunity to keep talented public servants in government service,” said Secretary of Administration Neil Weaver, in a statement.
“Federal employees bring world-class training and a deep commitment to public service,” added Weaver, whose office is responsible for recruitment and hiring for state agencies under the governor’s jurisdiction.
“By tapping into their expertise, we’ve strengthened our workforce and improved the delivery of programs and services that Pennsylvanians depend on every day.”
31 March 2026
Category
HR News Article
