(WNY News Now) In an effort to draw and keep talent in state agencies that care for New York’s essential infrastructure, Governor Kathy Hochul has proposed large pay increases for engineers and other licensed professionals.
For professional engineers, architects, land surveyors, landscape architects, and geologists working for New York State agencies dedicated to constructing, preserving, and bolstering essential infrastructure that New Yorkers depend on every day across the Empire State, Governor Kathy Hochul announced a number of pay raises. About 2,600 workers in 18 state agencies will receive salary raises ranging from $7,000 to $13,500, depending on their role and location, in an effort to promote hiring and retention within the state workforce.
To build roads and bridges, erect massive buildings, and avert disasters, New Yorkers depend on the abilities and knowledge of engineers, Governor Hochul stated.After a thorough analysis of the labor market, it is evident that the state government must do more to draw top talent to the public sector in New York. Engineering and the licensed occupations that support it are among the most competitive jobs in the world. It makes sense to invest in these regional salary disparities for the Empire State’s future.
In addition to supporting her administration’s efforts to rebuild, maintain, harden, and reimagine the infrastructure used by New Yorkers and visitors throughout the state, Governor Hochul’s historic and ongoing commitment to the state’s public workforce is reflected in these pay increases, which take effect on December 5. Additionally, they will strengthen economic development initiatives and increase resilience to harsh weather and climate change.
The following agencies, which now employ the biggest number of eligible personnel, are anticipated to be most affected by the pay increase:
- Department of Transportation 1,620 employees
- Department of Environmental Conservation 542 employees
- Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation 70 employees
- Department of Health 60 employees
- Office of General Services 57 employees
To increase hiring and retention of workers looking to start or continue a career with the Thruway Authority, the New York State Thruway Authority is introducing a wage disparity in addition to the aforementioned agencies. The New York State Thruway Authority Board of Directors overwhelmingly approved the idea earlier today, and it will take effect in early 2025. The Thruway Authority and the State of New York already established a geographic pay disparity for workers with highway maintenance titles, which this measure expands upon.
In addition to employing thousands of engineers and allied professionals throughout the state, New York State creates an atmosphere that supports and promotes engineers’ professional development and career possibilities. The Public Employees Federation (PEF) represents the Professional Technical & Scientific Unit, which includes the majority of these jobs. The Teamsters Local 456 and CSEA Local 058 are the primary representatives of the affected Thruway Authority titles.
“With these increases and under Governor Hochul’s leadership, the Empire State is bolstering its efforts to attract and retain the skills and talents of those professionals who improve and maintain the built and natural environments that make New York State such a special place to live, work, and visit,” said Timothy R. Hogues, commissioner of the New York State Department of Civil Service and president of the Civil Service Commission.
“Our people are our secret sauce at NYSDOT,” stated Marie Therese Dominguez, commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation. In order to build roads and bridges, create airports and train stations, and assist avert disasters, New Yorkers depend on the abilities and knowledge of our engineers, architects, land surveyors, landscape architects, geologists, and numerous other skilled experts. To retain these professionals and draw a top-tier talent pool to our state, the state realized it needed to go above and above after conducting a thorough study and analysis. I express my gratitude to Governor Hochul, who understands the importance of public service and that this investment in our workers is a wise move for the future of all state agencies as well as for NYSDOT’s capacity to provide a dependable and safe transportation system for many years to come.
“Our employees are our most valuable resource and represent the backbone of the Thruway Authority,” stated Frank G. Hoare, executive director of the New York State Thruway Authority. These changes will enable us to competitively hire and retain skilled workers for many years to come, as well as to continue investing in our team members who are essential to the upkeep and functioning of the Thruway. Without Governor Hochul’s unwavering support and the committed leadership of Teamsters Local 456 and CSEA 058—who together account for 89 percent of our workforce—this project would not have been feasible. The Thruway Authority’s diligent employees are deserving of this recompense, and I express my gratitude for their commitment to maintaining the Thruway as one of the country’s safest and most dependable roads.
The unsung heroes of the New York State Park system include engineers, architects, and those in allied professions, according to New York State Parks Commissioner Pro Tem Randy Simons. In order to safely receive 84 million people annually, they are essential to maintaining the remarkably varied array of infrastructure, which includes historic buildings, bridges, dams, drinking water systems, boat launches, and more. For this action to assist us in attracting and keeping these highly qualified individuals, I am thankful to Governor Hochul, Commissioner Hogues, and the Department of Civil Service.
“Tenacious teams of engineers and other licensed experts are working every day, protecting New York’s natural resources and wildlife, cleaning up contamination, and restoring the economic potential of neighborhoods statewide,” said Sean Mahar, interim commissioner of the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. This significant wage raise, made possible by Governor Hochul and the Department of Civil Service, will assist DEC continue to recruit and retain skilled licensed professionals who are essential to meeting our environmental goals for the good of all significant Yorkers.
“These pay increases, along with the NY HELPS initiative led by Governor Hochul’s administration, are helping state agencies further invest in their staff while attracting new talent,” stated Jeanette Moy, commissioner of the fresh York State Office of General Services. Our employees are the foundation of OGS, and they put forth endless effort to ensure that everything we do is done with proactive, efficient, and careful consideration—from assisting with statewide disaster response to making sure state infrastructure is resilient to the effects of climate change. At a time when we are facing complicated issues and a growing number of weather-related emergencies that impact the essential infrastructure that New Yorkers rely on on a daily basis, this initiative will significantly strengthen OGS’s workforce recruitment and retention efforts.
Governor Hochul’s dedication to further investments in New York’s workforce, according to New York State Health Commissioner James McDonald, is an investment in the general well-being of those who live, work, and raise their families in New York State. An further step in addressing the social determinants of health that are closely linked to health outcomes is the implementation of these wage increases. I commend the governor for taking the lead in building healthier, more resilient communities around the state.
We applaud Governor Hochul’s dedication to investing in the State workforce in order to attract and retain excellent talent, stated PEF President Wayne Spence. These salary hikes affect thousands of PEF members, who are highly qualified public servants who are essential to the upkeep and protection of New York’s important infrastructure. In order to draw skilled individuals to state jobs, it is a good idea to offer pay comparable to that of the private sector.
Local 456 Teamsters “Teamsters Local 456 members are committed public servants of the Thruway Authority who dedicate their careers to serving the traveling public and ensuring the safety of hundreds of millions of drivers each year,” stated Louis A. Picani, President of International Brotherhood. In addition to improving the recruitment and retention of qualified personnel, the authorized pay disparity will have a substantial impact on the lives of these professionals and assist the Thruway Authority in fulfilling its objective of Safety, Service, and Reliability. In addition to Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank Hoare and the Authority’s Board of Directors, I would like to thank Governor Hochul and her Administration for acknowledging the significant contribution our public servants make on a daily basis.
According to Sean Kennedy, president of NYSTA CSEA Local 058, CSEA commends the Thruway Authority for its ongoing investment in its most valuable asset: the hundreds of committed public sector workers who support the Thruway Authority. In order to guarantee that the Thruway can maintain its status as a top superhighway, CSEA is eager to collaborate with Governor Hochul, Executive Director Hoare, and the Authority’s Board of Directors.
Since assuming office, Governor Hochul has supported numerous steps to promote and strengthen New York’s public workforce, including the salary changes.
To help state and local agencies better fill public openings, the Department of Civil Service introduced an enhanced New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide (NY HELPS) program earlier this year. For a limited time, the NY HELPS program exempts thousands of open State jobs from the civil service exam requirements. Governor Hochul achieved an agreement in the FY 2024 Budget that waives all State exam application fees through December 2025 for those remaining posts that require exams.
State agencies have used the NY HELPS program to make more than 19,800 appointments as of October 31.
Additionally, the New York State Department of Labor and the Department of Civil Service collaborated to create Centers for Careers in Government within particular Department of Labor Career Centers. In order to facilitate the path for individuals seeking a fulfilling career in public service and to grow and strengthen the state’s economy, professional staff from both agencies work together at these joint-agency centers spread throughout New York State to offer comprehensive support to help jobseekers in their job searches by educating them about the State’s civil service merit and job classification systems as well as the NY HELPS program.
This year, the Department of Civil Service also launched a multifaceted marketing and public awareness campaign to highlight the hundreds of open positions and the variety of employment options accessible to everyone. The campaign, which was broadcast in both Spanish and English on digital and out-of-home platforms, emphasized the importance of public service as well as the advantages and variety of opportunities offered by state government.
In addition, Governor Hochul has taken other actions to strengthen and support the State workforce, including extending opportunities through the Governor’s Program to Hire Individuals and Veterans with Disabilities (55/b/c), lifting the State hiring freeze that had been in place for years, and funding new testing facilities throughout the state.
Please visit the Department of Civil Service website and follow the Department on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn to find out more about working for the State of New York and how to start your journey toward a fulfilling career in public service.