Shapiro works to make state’s hiring process more efficient

Tired of ads? Subscribers enjoy a distraction-free reading experience.

WILKES-BARRE — ​​The Shapiro Administration is making the Commonwealth’s hiring process more efficient to support the workforce, compete for talent in the job market, and better serve the people of Pennsylvania.

Secretary of Administration Neil Weaver this week announced that ongoing efforts by the Shapiro Administration to reduce the length of time positions are vacant across state agencies achieved a historic milestone with the lowest average time to hire since 2018 when the Office of Administration assumed responsibility for recruitment and hiring for state agencies.

The average time to hire for Commonwealth employees was 62 days as of June 30, 2024 — the lowest rate since 2018, and a 31% decrease from 90 days at the beginning of the Shapiro Administration.

“A faster hiring process gives our managers a competitive edge and lowers the chances of top candidates accepting offers from other employers,” said Secretary Weaver.

In addition to increasing the ability to attract top talent, an efficient hiring process helps to minimize productivity loss caused by vacancies, as well as increasing morale for existing employees who may need to take on extra work while positions are unfilled.

In January 2023, OA began piloting measures to streamline hiring, including expedited hiring for vacancies that process licenses, permits, and certifications and rearranging the selection process sequence for maximum efficiency. OA also began collaborating with hiring managers at Commonwealth facilities to host events where job seekers can apply on-the-spot and receive immediate interviews and conditional job offers.

OA continues to monitor time to hire data and work with agencies to identify and address specific areas for improvement. Conducting interviews is typically the longest step of the hiring process for most vacancies.

The Commonwealth has taken coordinated actions to make itself more attractive to job seekers. They include Shapiro’s Executive Order to emphasize skills and experience in state hiring, as well as:

• Creating new internships and apprenticeships for non-degree students pursuing careers in a variety of fields.

• Establishing the Governor’s Science and Technology Fellowship for individuals with advanced degrees in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).

• Offering the William and Hannah Penn Fellowship for advanced degree holders.

• Establishing a Commonwealth Chief Diversity Officer to lead diversity, equity, belonging, and inclusion initiatives across Commonwealth agencies.

• Enhancing medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision benefits to reduce wait times and costs for new hires to enroll in individual and family coverage and an expanded dental network effective Aug. 1, 2024, and increasing the annual maximums for dental and vision benefits beginning in 2025.

• Supporting overall health and well-being by increasing the number of free counseling sessions for employees and family members under the State Employee Assistance Program, adding work-life and caregiver support services, and increasing paid parental leave from six weeks to eight weeks.

• Offering scholarships and discounts on tuition and student loans for employees and families through collaborations with Pennsylvania colleges and universities.

Rep. Meuser co-sponsors resolution honoring victim of Trump rally shooting

U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, this week co-sponsored H.Res 1360, which honors Pennsylvania resident Corey Comperatore, who lost his life at the Trump Rally in Butler Pennsylvania on Saturday, July 13, 2024.

Meuser was in attendance at the rally, sitting in the front row.

Meuser said when the shooting began, Corey Comperatore dove on top of his family to protect them. His heroic actions saved their lives, and he leaves behind his wife, Helen, and his two daughters. Corey and Helen were childhood sweethearts and were on the verge of celebrating their 29th wedding anniversary.

Corey Comperatore was a dedicated public servant and had served as the former chief firefighter of the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company from Sarver, Pennsylvania. At the time of his tragic death, Comperatore remained an active firefighter and dedicated member of his community.

The resolution also condemns political violence in all forms, including the attempted assassination of former President Donald J. Trump.

“Corey Comperatore is a hero who gave his life for those he loved,” Meuser said. “When the shooting began, without hesitation, he dove on top of his family to shield them from incoming bullets. His final act was one of selflessness and love, and this resolution seeks to honor his great sacrifice and dedicated service to his community as a firefighter. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Comperatore family in the wake of this tragedy, as well as with those critically injured in the attack. There is no place for political violence in American politics, and we must all condemn the cowardly acts of the shooter.”

H.Res 1360 has been referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability where it awaits further action.

Resolution introduced to form a House Select Committee to probe assassination attempt

House Republican Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) this week said he has introduced House Resolution 501 to form a House Select Committee to probe the actions and response of state and local law enforcement relative to the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, which took place in Butler on July 13.

The purely bipartisan Select Committee on the Trump Assassination Attempt, to be comprised of three Republicans and three Democrats, would be charged with probing how state and local law enforcement planned, responded and coordinated with federal agencies at the Trump campaign event on July 13.

A report from the select committee would be due no later than Nov. 30.

“One Pennsylvanian died and two were critically wounded as an assassin nearly took the life of a former president and the nominee of a major political party in the upcoming election,” Cutler said. “We must ask the questions of why and what we can do to prevent this from happening in the future.”

“Pennsylvania is a political battleground state that will be the epicenter of many high-level campaign events during the remainder of the 2024 election season. As federal law enforcement increasingly relies on state and local partners to supplement security protocols, it is imperative we identify what happened from a state and local perspective on July 13, as we seek to perfect our effectiveness at keeping citizens and candidates safe as they host campaign events in Pennsylvania.”

In addition, with an eye toward major events in Pennsylvania in recognition of the Semiquincentennial, the select committee will identify any necessary operational changes needed for state and local law enforcement to provide security support in such events.

Rep. Cartwright announces plans for Route 611 project to move forward

U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-Moosic, along with State Sen. Rosemary Brown and State Rep. Tarah Probst, this week announced that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the National Park Service (NPS) have reached a compromise when it comes to reopening Route 611 within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

PennDOT officials said they expect it will take roughly 8 to 10 weeks to complete the project and get traffic flowing once permits are finalized. NPS confirmed the permitting process would be expedited because the project is temporary and not directly impacting resources.

“In my ongoing meetings with PennDOT, the National Park Service and the Federal Highway Administration — along with national, state and local public officials — we were able to find common ground that included prioritizing the opening of the road to traffic while keeping motorists safe,” Cartwright said.

The agreed-upon plans include the installation of a temporary, free-standing rockfall barrier. This compromise, both agencies agree, will allow two-way traffic to flow while they continue working behind-the-scenes on a more permanent solution.

“This is a critical step in restoring accessibility and alleviating the hardships faced by our residents and businesses,” Brown said. “While this is a temporary fix, it is an important move towards a permanent resolution.”

Probst said, “A year and half ago, we started working and trying to get this settled. Everything we wanted to do kept falling to the wayside, and it was frustrating not only for me, but most importantly, the residents who travel that road, the businesses that have suffered because of this closure, the emergency access being removed and the toll it has taken on other municipality roads.”

Route 611 in the Delaware Water Gap area has remained closed after heavy rains led to a rockslide along Mount Minsi in December of 2022. When re-opening the road hit an impasse due to statuary limitations faced by NPS and PennDOT, Cartwright convened the multi-level meetings between the agencies and elected officials in the affected region.