Maryland launches recruiting efforts, expands resources to federal workers impacted by layoffs, cuts
Gov. Moore and Maryland leaders announced several actions and new resources Friday to support federal workers impacted by layoffs and funding changes.
It comes as the Trump administration moves forward with its efforts to make the government more efficient and reduce federal spending through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Maryland takes action, expands resources
On Friday, the governor said he directed three state agencies to improve their hiring practices to support the influx of federal workers searching for job opportunities.
The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) will pilot a Federal Workers Navigation program with a webinar and guidebook to help public servants learn how the agency operates and what jobs could be available to them. The program will launch in March, Gov. Moore said.
The Maryland Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has been directed to improve its processes to manage a potential influx of applications within 45 days.
According to leaders, DBM oversees hiring for most state jobs, excluding MDOT and higher education.
The improvements will include expedited hiring for critical positions and batching similar positions together to streamline the recruitment and hiring process.
The governor said both the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) will work together to identify opportunities to help impacted federal workers explore careers in teaching to address Maryland's teacher shortage.
The partnership could include helping workers understand their options for education and getting licensed so they can receive credentials faster. Both agencies have been directed to share a plan with the governor within 45 days.
State leaders also announced a new website of resources to support federal workers interested in teaching careers.
As part of their support effort, Maryland leaders also launched an initiative to recruit federal workers impacted by cuts and layoffs.
The initiative will start on Friday, March 7, with a virtual information session about state jobs. In-person job fairs will be held in Baltimore City and Prince George's County in March.
"While there are not enough state jobs for every federal worker, the State of Maryland is recruiting top talent to join state government," officials said in a statement.
Counties and local leaders will also host a series of job fairs to connect impacted federal workers with private sector jobs in their communities.
The governor also expanded the Maryland Public Servants Resource Website to include highlights about more than 130,000 job openings and additional housing support programs and programs for veterans.
Efforts to lower federal spending
The DOGE task force, led by Elon Musk, was directed to cut programs that do not align with Mr. Trump's policies and to make cuts to the federal workforce. Musk has since called for the elimination of entire government agencies as part of the effort.
Recently, the Trump administration has intensified its efforts to shrink the size of the federal workforce, ordering agencies to lay off almost all probationary employees who don't have civil service protection.
The move impacted hundreds of thousands of employees across the nation.
Leaders of executive branch agencies have been directed to plan for large-scale firings in the coming weeks.
However, the effort has faced some challenges in the form of lawsuits and federal judges.
On Thursday, Feb. 27, a federal judge in San Fracisco ruled that the mass firing of probationary employees was likely unlawful. The decision provided temporary relief for the group of unions and organizations that sued over the firings.
Maryland's federal workforce impacted
In mid-February, Gov. Moore and some county leaders shared resources for residents impacted by the ongoing changes to the federal workforce and funding.
Gov. Moore launched the Maryland Public Servants Resource Website to provide information on unemployment insurance, career support and legal resources for impacted federal workers.
Some resources in Howard County were expanded for federal employees, as County Executive Calvin Ball estimated that about 50,000 residents were eligible for a buyout offer from the Trump administration.
The governor's office estimated there are about 160,000 federal civilian employees in Maryland, representing about 6% of the jobs in the state.
Gov. Moore said thousands in Maryland were impacted by the order to lay off probationary workers. The state has the second highest amount of federal employees behind Washington, D.C.
Nearly 225,000 jobs in Maryland were supported by federal funding contracts in 2023, according to the governor's office.
