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State Civil Service urges agencies to follow Executive Order 2539, requires exemptions or agency certification for job postings
Summary
State Civil Service told HR staff that Governor's Executive Order 2539 (hiring freeze) is effective April 11–June 30 and that talent acquisition will only publish postings with a Commissioner exemption or an agency-head certification attached to the exam plan; exempt agencies must provide documentation when requested.
State Civil Service officials told the HR community that Governor's Executive Order 2539, the state hiring freeze, is effective April 11 through June 30 and that agencies must attach either an exemption from the Commissioner of Administration or a certification signed by the agency head before the Commission's talent acquisition team will publish job postings.
Why it matters: The requirement aims to protect essential services while limiting new hires during a fiscal-control window; agencies that believe they are exempt must provide documentation so the Commission's staff can process requests quickly and compliantly.
Byron Decoteau, the State Civil Service SES director, said the executive order and a follow-up memorandum from the Commissioner's Office will be posted on the HR portal and that the Commission's office will make final determinations about exemptions. "That is effective April 11 through June 30," Decoteau said, stressing agencies should consult their general counsel if they are unsure whether they qualify for an exemption.
Ashton Brown, talent acquisition and workforce development administrator, explained how the Commission's office will process postings during the freeze: talent acquisition will require either "an approved exemption signed by the commissioner of administration or a certification form signed by the agency head" attached to the exam plan and job posting request before a posting goes live. Brown said the certification form and related guidance would be released on the HR portal.
Brown added that some entities are explicitly exempt, citing confirmations that certain human service districts and authorities are not subject to the freeze. She said where an agency believes it is exempt the staff may request additional documentation to verify the basis for that claim.
State Civil Service also announced it will post executive order 2539, the Commissioner's memorandum and any general circulars and forms on the HR portal so appointing authorities can find the most current guidance. Agencies were advised to avoid using state resources or official time for legislative advocacy and to make any personal contacts on their own time.
What comes next: The Commission's office will issue the certification form and general-circular guidance; agencies should attach either the exemption or the certification to their exam plans when requesting postings. The Commission indicated it will work with agencies to expedite requests where appropriate and will reach out individually when more documentation is needed.
Ending: Staff closed the session by directing HR staff to the HR portal for the executive order and guidance and to their general counsels for legal questions about exemptions.
