Laid-Off Federal Workers' Job Hunt Hits a Rough Patch: State and Local Roles Prove Elusive

State and local governments went above and beyond to welcome them. federal workers who were let go in large numbers this year.

However, several months following the loss of their positions, numerous government job seekers are still awaiting an opportunity to enter the premises.

Hiring in the public sector often comes with a lengthy procedure, involving greater bureaucracy and additional approval stages compared to the private sector. Numerous roles within local government are based in the field, like those of correctional officers, which may not appeal to individuals used to working at desks. Moreover, economic instability has cast doubts over budget allocations, leading some local administrations to reduce their recruitment efforts.

"I haven’t received a single phone call from anyone so far," stated Aeron Miller, aged 47, who has applied for both county and state positions in Maryland. Having served in the Air Force for multiple years, she later transitioned into civilian roles within the federal government sector for around two decades. In February, instead of going back to an office with a potentially two-hour commute, she opted for a severance package.

During a job fair held in March in Odenton, Maryland, aimed at federal employees, Miller walked around examining booths promoting various career opportunities ranging from public safety to sanitation roles; however, nothing really caught her interest or matched her skill set. "I have no idea how to repair roads or handle situations where emergency pipe floods occur," explained Miller, whose previous experience involved managing freedom of information requests at the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

People seeking employment with the government consist of federal workers who lost their jobs due to Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency cutting positions, individuals expecting layoffs, and those who feel disheartened and are searching for better opportunities elsewhere.

Many individuals are securing employment as state and local governments take advantage of the chance to recruit from an abundance of frequently well-qualified candidates. In certain instances, states have streamlined their hiring procedures to facilitate quicker recruitment. This includes allowing agencies to extend provisional job offers pending completion of necessary formalities, says Caitlin Lewis, head of Civic Match—a non-profit organization aimed at linking hiring officials from 197 municipalities spanning 47 states with federal employees looking for work.

After spending 25 years with the State Department, Marc Shaw submitted his resume earlier this year to Kansas City, Missouri—his birthplace. Upon seeing it, an official at City Hall brought it to the attention of Mayor Quinton Lucas, who was astonished by Shaw’s background—including work on weapons regulation, combating child labor, and managing a $1.4 billion anti-drug trafficking and legal reform initiative in Afghanistan. The city promptly appointed Shaw as interim auditor, and he began his new role in early April.

Although the setting has changed, Shaw mentioned that he notices similarities between his current position as an auditor and his previous job at the State Department. This former role involved working with the special inspector general for reconstruction in Afghanistan. He stated, "The main focus is always about improving functionality." Additionally, he expressed enthusiasm about returning to his hometown to watch more football matches.

State and local governments have frequently faced challenges in recruiting candidates due to inadequate compensation and lengthy recruitment procedures. This issue often eases up when circumstances deteriorate elsewhere. Since 2023, applications submitted to state, city, and county offices have increased, following a slowdown in the hiring of white-collar employees in the private sector. These statistics come from Neogov, an organization managing the job posting platform Governmentjobs.com.

Now, many past and present government employees are eager to join in. According to Oxford Economics, a company specializing in data analysis and consultancy, the number of people working for the federal sector could drop by approximately 200,000 by late 2025.

In the periods after President Trump’s inauguration, applications for vacant positions in state and local governments increased by 15%, as reported by Neogov. Moreover, some regions have seen an even greater surge; notably, the number of applicants for governmental roles in Maryland—a location hosting numerous federal offices—rose by 45% recently when contrasted with the corresponding timeframe in 2024, based on state statistics.

Several organizations have started making new appointments. New York State has recruited 39 ex-federal employees for positions such as attorneys and biologists. Since early February, Maryland State has employed over 100 previous federal staff members across various fields like healthcare, information technology, and law. In the nation’s capital, approximately 120 employment offers have been extended. A hiring event held in Odenton, located midway between Washington D.C. and Baltimore, attracted close to 400 attendees.

Finding employment hasn't been simple for numerous attendees at the Maryland gathering. While some government employees faced layoffs, others remained working yet sought new opportunities elsewhere. "Mom used to tell me it's simpler to secure a position when you're currently employed," remarked Brandon Odom, a 32-year-old with five years of service in the Education Department, who was let go soon after attending the fair. Despite applying for various local governmental roles, he hasn't received any responses thus far.

On average, it takes around 130 days to fill a position in local government, as opposed to roughly 36 days in the private sector, based on Neogov’s data. During this extended period, numerous candidates often withdraw from the process or secure jobs elsewhere.

"I figure they're inundated with applications," explained Ariella Camera, a 37-year-old ex-employee of the U.S. Agency for International Development, who began participating in virtual career events aimed at federal employees and seeking positions within local governmental bodies following an administrative leave starting in February. Last month, Camera got notified about her impending layoffs and has since been going through interviews for roles both inside and outside the non-governmental organizations sphere.

The future of public-sector employment remains unclear, according to Liz Farmer, an expert in state fiscal policy at Pew. Many states now face financial challenges, especially since the expiration of federal assistance provided during the pandemic era. For instance, some states like Louisiana and New Hampshire have implemented hiring pauses for specific positions.

In Maryland, an unspecified number of government positions will remain vacant following the passage of a budget for the upcoming fiscal year by the Democratic-controlled legislature. This new budget reduces expenditures by approximately $2 billion. State Senator Bill Ferguson, who leads the Democrats in the Maryland Senate, warned that due to significant reliance on federal funding, the state faces potential economic challenges referred to as a "Maryland recession" during the present administration at the White House.

Ferguson expressed hope that the state could still employ numerous federal workers who have been laid off and are now applying for positions within the public sector throughout Maryland. A local official informed him that a recent policy role received 75 applications, as opposed to the usual range of 15 to 20 applicants. "This presents an excellent chance for these individuals, and we stand to gain significantly from their skills," stated Jason Perkins-Cohen, Deputy Labor Secretary of Maryland.

Steuart Pittman, the Anne Arundel County Executive, mentioned that their agencies have not reduced hiring nor are contemplating budget reductions at this time; however, challenging economic conditions might necessitate changes. He further explained that cutting positions within the local government is not straightforward due to the essential roles these employees play in critical areas such as education and public security.

Our services are highly sought after," he stated. "They're essentially where theory becomes practice.

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