Commonwealth Employment Opportunities

Commonwealth Employment Opportunities

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania offers rewarding careers in a wide variety of fields. And with such a broad range of professions and opportunities for growth, the commonwealth is an ideal place to begin or advance your career.

Whether you’re a lifelong resident or thinking about relocating, we think you’ll agree that Pennsylvania is a great place to live and work.

Join the tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians who have chosen careers in public service to our commonwealth!

Join the Commonwealth

About Pennsylvania

Our Commonwealth

Pennsylvania has all of the essentials — the lowest cost of living in the Northeast U.S., affordable real estate, prominent world-ranked universities, and top-ranked health institutions.

We also take pride in our rich history. As the birthplace of our nation, Pennsylvania was founded centuries ago on the idea that all are welcome and can practice their faith and culture as they see fit.

We still live by that grand idea today because ours continues to be an open and welcoming state for people from all walks of life.

Public Service

As a commonwealth employee, you can come to work each day knowing that you’re helping to improve the lives of your fellow Pennsylvanians.

Our commitment to public service and helping others goes well beyond the workplace. Every year, our employees donate millions of dollars to worthy causes in PA, the nation, and the world through our annual charitable giving campaign — the State Employee Combined Appeal .

Opportunities Statewide

You can find commonwealth employees doing a variety of jobs all across Pennsylvania.

Nearly a quarter of our workforce is headquartered in and around the capital city of Harrisburg and a significant percentage call Central Pennsylvania home.

Learn More About Life in Pennsylvania

Benefits

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania believes in providing exceptional benefits to help our employees thrive in every aspect of their lives.

Our total rewards package includes many benefits beyond simply receiving a paycheck to support our employees’ physical, mental, and financial well-being.

Financial

Retirement and Financial Planning

  • Save for retirement with flexible investment plan options. Invest more of your income through an optional deferred compensation program.

Group Life Insurance
Free life insurance for all permanent employees after 90 days.

Optional Insurance
Get special employee-only rates for:

  • Supplemental life.
  • Short term disability.
  • Long term disability.
  • Auto.
  • Home.
  • Critical illness.
  • Identity theft protection.
  • Pet.

Higher Education

  • PennWEST Global Online offers a 20% discount to most Commonwealth employees.
  • The PASSHE Foundation offers scholarships for most employees and eligible dependents.
  • Make saving for college more affordable with a PA 529 account.
  • Some agencies offer tuition assistance for job-related higher education.
  • Most commonwealth employees are eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

Additional Programs

  • Save money on family and child care expenses with pretax payroll deductions with the Dependent Care Account Program.
  • Save money on out-of-pocket expenses with pretax payroll deductions with the Health Care Flexible Spending Account program.
  • Most employees are eligible for free credit union membership with PSECU.
  • As a commonwealth employee, you may be able to take advantage of special discounts from a wide variety of providers.

Health and Wellness

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including medical coverage, vision, dental and wellness programs.

Health Benefits

  • Choice of medical plans.
  • Vision.
  • Dental.
  • Prescription drug.
  • Hearing aid.
  • Durable medical equipment.

Wellness Programs
Improve your health and quality of life through specific wellness programs for mental and physical wellness, nutrition, weight loss, smoking cessation, and more.

  • Wellness webinars.
  • Screenings.
  • Discounts to gyms.
  • Weight loss and nutrition programs.
  • Reduced costs for health benefits by participating in a biometrics screening.
  • Financial wellness resources.

Activity Challenges
Join a team of coworkers to track steps and exercise through these fun and friendly competitions throughout the year.

Free, Confidential Counseling
Everyone needs help sometimes. We offer free, confidential counseling referral services for employees and their families through our State Employees Assistance Program (SEAP). SEAP can assist with personal and relationship, legal, and financial issues.

Work-Life Balance

There’s more to life than work, and we want you to enjoy it.

Leave

  • Paid vacation days, paid sick days, paid parental leave, and military leave.

Holidays

  • Paid time off for most major U.S. holidays.

Flexible Schedules

  • Alternative work schedules and telecommuting arrangements available for certain positions.

Onsite Child Care

  • Offered at certain locations.

Career Development

We want to help you grow and see your goals become a reality.

Opportunities to Advance

  • Easily transfer between positions or agencies to expand knowledge and pursue new challenges.
  • Retain your leave, health, and other benefits when moving between most agencies.

A Plan for Success

  • Supervisors and human resources staff are available to help employees create a customized plan to develop skills for their current jobs or prepare for the next step in their careers.
  • Access to free training designed for commonwealth employees through Commonwealth University.

Leadership Training
There are also a variety of programs available to help get you where you want to be:

  • Commonwealth Mentoring Program (PDF): Provides mentoring through voluntary career guidance, networking and leadership development and the transfer of institutional knowledge.
  • Emerging Leader Program (PDF): Tap into the talents of commonwealth employees who exhibit leadership potential.
  • Leadership Development Institute (PDF): Professional development for employees who demonstrate leadership potential and the ability to succeed in positions of greater responsibility.

Employee Recognition
We understand that our most valuable asset is our employees.

  • Many agencies have programs to acknowledge outstanding work and achievement.
  • The governor presents the annual state employee Awards for Excellence to individuals and groups who demonstrate exemplary job performance or service.

For Veterans

Returning to civilian life? Starting a second career? Looking for an employer that values active National Guard and Reserve service?

Bring the unique experience and personal qualities you developed in the military and continue your work in public service with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania!

While serving your country, you developed valuable skills and experience that are extremely valued in state government. Start a career where you can continue to make a difference, have an opportunity for growth, and enjoy the rewards of public service.

Resources for Veterans

Connect with Veterans’ Employment Representatives at any of the statewide Pennsylvania CareerLink Offices to receive free job counseling, training referrals, and placement services.

Eligible veterans are given priority in the referral to job openings and training opportunities, with disabled veterans receiving the highest priority.

For more information on veteran resources check the Veteran’s Guide.

Benefits for Veterans

Working for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will enable you to use your military time toward your retirement with state government. Explore available purchasing service options through the State Employees’ Retirement System .

For civil service positions, qualified veterans get ten extra points added to their passing test scores and preference in the hiring process. For non-civil service positions, veterans are given preference when they meet all the requisite qualifications. These benefits are commonly referred to as veterans’ preference.

Find Out More About Resources for Veterans

For Students

Internships

The commonwealth has year-round internship opportunities available for high school, college, and post-graduate students across a wide variety of agencies. See current internship opportunities , and be sure to check back often as new opportunities become available.

Commonwealth Public Service Internship Program

The Commonwealth Public Service Intern program offers paid internships in state agencies leading to rewarding careers in public service.

Students that complete a flexible internship of three to six months and graduate with an undergraduate or graduate degree will be hired into a full-time position guaranteed!

Benefits

  • Flexible path from internship to employment.
  • Opportunities available year-round.
  • Fulfilling career in public service.
  • Earn money through a paid internship.
  • Opportunities in a wide variety of fields.

Eligibility

  • Current enrollment as a full-time undergraduate student in an accredited college/university in a declared bachelor’s degree program.
  • Successful completion of at least 30 college credits at time of application.
  • Anticipated successful completion of at least 60 college credits at the time of hire.
  • Meet PA residency requirements for civil service employment.

Residency
You don’t have to be from PA or live here year-round to be considered a resident! For example, you qualify as a PA resident if you:

  • Are a student from another state who is currently residing at and enrolled in a PA college, university, or technical school, and have a PA mailing address.
  • Lived in PA before leaving to attend school in another state and have a PA mailing address.

Check out the PA residency requirements on the State Employment website for the full details, including requirements for former residents and active duty armed forces.

Governor’s Office Internship Program

The Governor’s Office Internship program offers interns a unique opportunity to gain a one-of-a-kind perspective on the issues affecting our commonwealth.

From the forefront of Pennsylvania state government, interns are encouraged to play a role in the policy making process, constituent communications, public affairs, and other aspects of the governor’s office.

In addition, interns are offered opportunities to interact with senior staff and cabinet-level officials to gain an inside view of the inner workings of state government.

Eligibility

To be considered eligible for the Governor’s Office Internship program, you must be a rising college junior or a senior.

The application period is closed. Please check back in a few months.

William Penn Fellowship

The William Penn Fellowship is granted to talented, passionate individuals with a commitment to public service and a drive to help make Pennsylvania a better place to live.

The program provides aspiring professionals with the opportunity to serve and learn with the state’s top executive leaders. Fellows will work to improve the overall effectiveness of state government by serving on projects that align with Governor Wolf’s priorities of Jobs that Pay, Schools that Teach and Government that Works.

Enthusiastic and highly-motivated individuals will spend two years working full-time for senior and top-ranking government officials. Fellows will be assigned to state agencies to complete impactful projects based on their personal interests and skillsets.

Eligibility
To be considered eligible for the William Penn Fellowship, applicants must have obtained a master’s or equivalent or higher degree.

In addition to the educational requirement, selection as a William Penn Fellow is based on a combination of the following:

  • Established excellence in academics and/or professional achievement.
  • Proven leadership ability and potential for further growth.
  • Demonstrated commitment to public service.
  • Evidence of effective teamwork and working well with others.

Applicants may also be considered if they have successfully completed military service or long-term public service work with an organization such as AmeriCorps, Teach for America, or the Peace Corps. Other services will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The application period is closed.

Employee Spotlight

We think the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a great place to work — but don’t take our word for it! Hear from our employees about why they love working for the commonwealth.

Hear More Stories

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