Hochul unveils new resources to help New Yorkers find state jobs

Oct. 7—Gov. Kathy Hochul says there are multiple resources for jobseekers available in person and throughout communities across New York to bolster recruitment for thousands of vacant openings with state agencies.

The state Department of Civil Service has partnered with the state Department of Labor to establish the Centers for Careers in Government within specific state Department of Labor Career Centers, including a center recently opened in the Capital Region, according to a news release.

"It's been a priority of my administration to support the existing state workforce and bolster their ranks by reducing barriers to employment and making it easier than ever to seek a job with New York state," Hochul said in a statement. "Public service is a noble career, and state employees make a real difference in the lives of millions of New Yorkers daily. I encourage the best and brightest to join State service and make a positive impact in their communities today."

Staff at the centers assist job seekers in learning about the varied opportunities in public service and how and when to apply, while also providing enhanced resources to current state employees within their coverage area to bolster career mobility and transfer opportunities. This complements the wide-ranging career guidance available in all 100 Career Centers across New York that serve to connect individuals to training and career pathways in both the public and private sectors, the release stated.

Community-based organizations and educational institutions can connect with their local civil service representative to schedule workshops and informational sessions for the areas they serve.

Civil service staff also promote and enhance the hiring of individuals and veterans with disabilities, and support recruitment efforts for critical hard-to-recruit positions and vacancies, addressing shortages in public service positions throughout the state workforce.

"Careers in public service provide stability, competitive salaries and great benefits," state DOL Commissioner Roberta Reardon said in a statement. "I encourage New Yorkers to check out the Centers for Careers in Government, located within ten Career Centers across the state, to find out more about available job opportunities that will help them thrive in the global economy."

Earlier this year, the Governor announced an expansion of the NY HELPS program to assist agencies in filling vacancies open to the public so that the state can better meet the needs of New Yorkers. Since the program's inception in 2023, more than 20,000 New Yorkers have been hired into the HELP program, allowing the state and local governments to quickly fill critical roles, the release stated.

The NY HELPS program temporarily waives the civil service exam requirements for thousands of vacant state job openings open to the general public. For those remaining positions that require exams, all state exam application fees are waived through December 2025 following an agreement secured by Hochul in the 2024 budget.