ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Governor Wes Moore unveiled a groundbreaking partnership with Work for America on March 18, 2025, aiming to keep Maryland’s public service engine humming by linking federal workers to state and local jobs. Announced during the Moore-Miller Administration’s first tele-town hall—with over 5,000 Marylanders tuned in—the move taps Work for America’s Civic Match platform to match seasoned federal talent with openings across the state, a lifeline amid federal workforce upheaval.
“This new partnership with Work for America is about recruiting and retaining the best public servants in the country, who want to continue their service with our state,” Moore said during the call. “Maryland is mobilizing, and this generational opportunity will help us bridge the employment gap, grow our economy, and protect the people of our state. Together, we will leave no one behind.” The initiative casts Maryland as Work for America’s first “Spotlight State,” prioritizing its job market for vetted candidates eager to stay in public service.
Work for America, a nonprofit focused on revitalizing government workforces, brings its Civic Match tool to the table—a talent-matching hub now hosting Maryland state job postings. Counties will get a boost too, with state support to plug into the platform, connecting federal workers and contractors to local gigs. “This is a moment in history when we must keep great public servants in public service,” said Caitlin Lewis, the group’s executive director. “As our first Spotlight State, the Moore-Miller Administration is making Maryland a national leader in ensuring mission-driven professionals continue serving where they’re needed most.”
The tele-town hall doubled as a rallying cry, spotlighting resources like the expanded Maryland Public Servants Resource Website—featuring 130,000 job openings via Live Work Maryland, a Unified Benefits Screener, and veteran support for the 15% of federal workers who served. New pages on Teach Maryland target educators, while “Joining Team Maryland” virtual sessions pitch state roles. Moore’s next stop: a Frederick County jobs fair on March 19, aiding Marylanders hit by federal layoffs and funding shifts.
With federal jobs employing over 144,000 in Maryland—10% of the state’s workforce, per the Partnership for Public Service—the stakes are high. Moore’s push counters a rocky federal landscape, blending urgency with opportunity to keep talent in the fold.
