As an Upstate New Yorker, with a dad who served as a state trooper and a mom who dedicated her career to public education, I saw firsthand what public service means. It’s about stability, purpose, and working toward something bigger than yourself. Federal employees know that intimately well, and New York Governor Kathy Hochul has a message for public servants recently displaced by the new administration: “You’re hired.”
With the sweeping federal job cuts—at least 28,000 already gone, entire agencies like USAID frozen—thousands of experienced public servants, promised stability, are suddenly in limbo. And while relocating north from D.C. to New York may not have been your first choice, the state is rolling out the welcome mat for feds.
The statewide effort aims to fill over 7,000 open state jobs. Given the labor shortages we’ve been facing in the state—especially in law enforcement, education, and state services—this is more than a political move. It’s a solution.
At a State Police graduation earlier this month, Hochul even extended an invitation to FBI employees, saying, “It would be an honor” to have them join New York’s ranks. Public service isn’t about party lines. It’s about people who dedicate their lives to keeping things running—whether in classrooms, courtrooms, or emergency response teams.
Critics have raised concerns about the initiative, with some questioning whether it’s a political move and the White House cautioning against expanding the public sector. However, the reality remains that federal workers affected by job cuts still have families, financial commitments, and valuable skills that could benefit New York’s workforce.
For those facing uncertainty, New York is offering an option. With thousands of open positions, the state is looking for experienced professionals to continue their careers in public service.
