ALBANY, N.Y. — Governor Kathy Hawkle announced resources now available for hiring state employees, according to a news release from the Governor’s Office.
The New York State Department of Civil Service (DCS) has partnered with the New York State Department of Labor (DOL) to establish Government Career Centers within select state DOL career centers, including one that recently opened in the Capital Region. The center is one of 10 locations across the state where DCS and DOL experts will work together to provide comprehensive support to help job seekers and educate them about the state’s civil service merit and position system and the New York State Emergency Limited Placement State (NY HELPS) program.
“The Center’s goal is to enhance hiring for thousands of open positions in New York State agencies, expand access and opportunity for potential jobseekers, and ease the path for those interested in a rewarding career in public service. This is one of Hochle’s many proactive efforts to fill civil service vacancies to better meet the needs of New Yorkers, while reinforcing her Administration’s ongoing support for state employees.”
“Supporting and strengthening existing state employees has been a priority for my administration by reducing barriers to employment and making it easier than ever to find a job in New York State,” Hawkle said in a statement. “Public service is a noble profession, and state employees make a real difference in the lives of millions of New Yorkers every day. I encourage the best and brightest people to serve as state employees and make a positive impact in their communities starting today.”
Center staff will help job seekers learn about the various opportunities in public service and when and how to apply, while providing robust resources to current state employees in their areas to enhance career mobility and transfer opportunities. These comprehensive resources will promote and enhance the employment of individuals with disabilities and veterans, and support recruitment efforts for critical hard-to-fill positions and vacancies to address the shortage of public servants across the state workforce. This complements the extensive career guidance available at all 100 Career Centers throughout New York State that connects individuals to training and career pathways in both the public and private sectors. Candidates can visit the Government Career Center website (https://www.cs.ny.gov/ccg/) to view upcoming job fairs and workshops to learn about careers in public service. Community-based organizations and educational institutions can contact their local civil service representatives to schedule workshops and information sessions in their areas. Job seekers and organizations can also email CCG@cs.ny.gov for more information or to apply for the workshop.
“A career in public service offers stability, competitive pay and excellent benefits, and I encourage New Yorkers to visit a Government Career Center at one of our 10 locations across the state to learn more about the job opportunities available to them that can help them succeed in our global economy,” New York State Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said in a statement.
“Have you always wanted to be a public servant but don’t know where to start? The Department of Civil Service and Department of Labor are here to help. Under Governor Hokel’s leadership, the civil service team is committed to reducing barriers, representing job seekers, simplifying the application and hiring process and building a workforce that reflects the many unique faces, voices, backgrounds and ideas of the people we serve,” New York State Civil Service Commissioner and Civil Service Commission Chairman Timothy Hauges said in a statement.
Earlier this year, Governor Hawkle announced the expansion of the NY HELPS program to help agencies fill vacancies open to the public so the state can better meet the needs of New Yorkers. Since the program began in 2023, more than 20,000 New Yorkers have been hired into the HELP program, enabling state and local governments to fill critical positions more quickly. NY HELPS will temporarily waive civil service exam requirements for thousands of state vacancies open to the public. For remaining positions that require exams, all state exam application fees will be waived through December 2025, per an agreement secured by Governor Hawkle in his FY24 budget.
Governor Hawkle has also taken additional steps to support and strengthen the state’s workforce, including lifting the long-standing state hiring freeze, expanding employment opportunities through the Governor’s Program for Employment of Individuals with Disabilities and Veterans (55/b/c), and funding new testing centers across the state.
“A career in public service can be incredibly rewarding, and these new career centers will help reduce barriers and make it easier for potential jobseekers to find the right job for them. I applaud Governor Hockle, Commissioner Reardon and Commissioner Hagues for their efforts to ensure job opportunities are accessible and available to those who need them,” State Senator Neil Breslin said in a statement.
“I encourage all New Yorkers and Capital Region residents to visit statejobs.ny.gov and our new Government Career Center. With some civil service exams waived and several open positions, now is the perfect time for future state employees to enter the workforce and public service. New York State is hiring, and we are committed to ensuring more New Yorkers from a wide range of backgrounds have the opportunity to begin meaningful careers in public service. I applaud Governor Hockle, Commissioner Reardon and Commissioner Hagues for investing in tomorrow’s state workforce,” State Assemblyman Patricia Fahy said in a release.
New Yorkers looking for a career are also encouraged to take advantage of the DOL’s many free services, including the newly expanded Virtual Career Center, which uses cutting-edge technology to connect New Yorkers to thousands of job listings across the state. Job seekers are encouraged to check the New York State Job Bank, Part-Time Employment Opportunities Job Bank, and NY Seasonal Employment websites to browse available jobs across the state. They can also check out the Career Center’s Events and Hiring Calendar and sign up for virtual workshops and virtual career fairs. To learn more about working in New York State and how you can take the next step to pursue a rewarding career in public service, visit the DCS website and follow DOL on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.
