October 22, 2012

New York State Center for Recruitment and Public Service (RPS) replaces the Governor’s Appointments Office


New York State Center for Recruitment and Public Service (RPS) replaces the Governor’s Appointments Office
Source: Office of the Governor

On October 22, 2012 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the creation of the New York State Center for Recruitment and Public Service (RPS). RPS, to be housed within the Office of General Services (OGS), replaces the Governor’s Appointments Office. 

According to the Office of the Governor, “RPS will reorganize the state government’s existing archaic appointment process” and oversee hiring and placement for approximately 5,000 unpaid positions and 2,000 staff positions.

Characterizing the “old appointments process” as “disjointed and politicized” and lacking in access to the tools used by today’s recruitment professionals, OGS will release a Request For Proposal (RFP) seeking the services of an executive search firm that will be tasked with attracting qualified candidates to state government and help the state “build its own recruiting operation so that New York state government can compete with the private sector and become an employer of choice.”

Other objectives include:

1. Better matching skills with available positions and candidates

2. Reforming the background check process for candidates

3. Establishing and tracking benchmarks for success

4. Strengthening the state’s competitive position in the “talent marketplace” by maximizing social media opportunities

5. Building a “New York State Recruitment Portal” – an online, interactive website for interested candidates to explore and apply to positions.