Pennsylvania requires veterans on Civil Service Commission
Veterans of the U.S. military will now have required representation on Pennsylvania’s Civil Service Commission. The new law is meant to ensure that vets receive special consideration for civil service jobs, according to Gov. Tom Corbett, who signed the new law on Oct. 5.
On the same day he signed the new law, Corbett also announced the nomination of State College, Pa., resident John Stevens, to serve on the commission. Stevens, a veteran of the Pennsylvania National Guard and the U.S. Army, retired with the rank of major general. “For many years now, it has been state policy that those who have served in our Armed Forces should be given special consideration for civil service jobs,’’ Corbett said in a statement. “The reason for this was simple: the men and women who wore the uniform of our nation, who volunteered to be in harm’s way in times of crisis, had shown our nation special consideration. It only seemed right to return the honor.”
Having a veteran serve on the Civil Service Commission will ensure that the men and women who served in the military will have an advocate who understands their needs and will represent their rights, Corbett said. Pennsylvania’s Civil Service Commission’s three full-time members serve staggered, six-year terms. Selected by the governor and subject to confirmation by the Senate, commission members review, approve or disapprove policy recommendations at monthly meetings, as well as monitor all state and local agencies to determine and assure compliance. In addition, members act as administrative law judges, presiding over appeal hearings, settling disputed personnel decisions and conducting hearings to determine if there has been a violation or fraud.
Read Corbett’s entire press release.
