William and Hannah Penn Fellowship

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is seeking talented, passionate individuals with a commitment to public service and a drive to help make Pennsylvania a better place to live. This program provides aspiring professionals with the opportunity to serve with the state's top executive leaders. Fellows will work in state agency policy offices where they will assist the policy director and agency leaders in executing Governor Shapiro's policy agenda. Each fellow will work on an agency-specific project. Throughout the program, fellows will participate in leadership development trainings and have opportunities to attend events with the private and public sector leaders.

Projects

As a William and Hannah Penn Fellow, you will have the opportunity to improve the overall effectiveness of state government by serving as a key member of an agency policy office and working on one of eight projects that align with Governor Shapiro's policy priorities.

Please review the below list of projects. In the Supplemental Questions Section, select the top three projects for which you are interested. (Please note that this is to survey your interest and does not guarantee final placement in your preferred agency or project.)

Department of Health (DOH) The proposed area of focus for the Penn Fellow is updating current regulations addressing ambulatory surgical facilities. The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) licenses and regulates in-patient healthcare facilities such as nursing homes and hospitals, as well as out-patient healthcare facilities, like ambulatory surgical facilities (ASF). The DOH is responsible for the licensing and oversight of Pennsylvania's 271 ASF, to ensure they deliver safe healthcare to residents. Specifically, DOH oversees ASF surveying and licensure as well as complaint and incident investigations for ASFs, and approves the building, engineering, and construction plans for ASF. The Penn Fellow will work hand-in-hand with the policy office and will assist staff with updating regulations by researching other states' policies, laws and regulations, including working in conjunction with DOH legal team to assist in the drafting of the regulations.

Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) The Penn Fellow will broadly support the work of the policy office and will focus specifically on environmental health issues impacting Pennsylvanians. As new federal rules and public health concerns related to PFAS and other emerging threats have impacted DEP's policy work, it is crucial to have a coordinated response within the agency and with key stakeholders. In order to complete this work, the Fellow will convene internal meetings to build the department's policy strategy on PFAS, exploring opportunities to reduce exposure, limit further contamination, and fund environmental cleanup. The Fellow will also identify funding opportunities through EPA and apply for funds to advance PFAS remediation and treatment in the Commonwealth.

Department of General Services (DGS) A Penn Fellow assigned at DGS provides the agency with an opportunity to rethink surplus property management through a lens of sustainability, digital transformation, and equitable access. The Fellow will collaborate with the team to develop a comprehensive modernization strategy that integrates policies, revenue generation, and proposes various code updates, as appropriate, while also reviewing ways to streamline processes that incorporate social responsibility and sustainability as guiding principles. The Fellow will work closely with the DGS team to assess current surplus property operations, applying data analytics and best practices from other state and federal programs; develop a strategic roadmap that addresses the challenges within surplus property management while embedding technology solutions for operational efficiency; and research and propose innovative practices or operational changes to support the modernization effort.

Department of Military & Veterans Affairs (DMVA) The DMVA "Improving Our Culture" initiative began in response to the 2022 DMVA climate assessment, which revealed areas of strength, such as the pride employees take in caring for veterans and the strong support of local communities. However, the assessment also revealed several organizational challenges including leadership, training, work-life balance, and job satisfaction. In response, DMVA leadership has initiated efforts to address these challenges, aiming to foster a workplace that is strong, healthy, and effective. The Fellow will work under the supervision of the DMVA policy and legislative office to support these initiatives by helping to develop strategies and implement changes. The Fellow will collaborate with consultants and internal teams to further research and assess organizational culture through employee feedback and data analysis; assist in developing and applying change management frameworks such as Kotter's 8-Step Model and the ADKAR model to guide employees through cultural transformation; support the development and implementation of six priority projects including the Succession Planning Program, Mentoring Program, and Balancing Family/Work Life Program; promote employee engagement by fostering meaningful work, clear communication, and team collaboration; and collect, analyze, and report on the effectiveness of these initiatives, continuously refining policies and practices based on evidence and feedback.

Department of Revenue (DOR) Tax professionals are widely adopting AI (artificial intelligence) as a tool to better represent their clients. Consequently, the Department of Revenue and the Board of Appeals have no choice but to stay well informed about how AI is being currently utilized in tax and law, and where the use of AI in tax may be heading in the future. This project would have the Fellow create a deliverable that informs the department of how tax professionals are currently using AI, how they are likely to use AI in the future, and how the department may need to prepare to adapt to these developments. Furthermore, the Fellow would compile and evaluate potential AI use case within the department in a manner consistent with the Governor's policy approach to AI. Proposed deliverable is to establish a set of AI principles that can be adopted across the department and to conduct on the implementation of identified AI principles.

PA Commission on Crime & Delinquency (PCCD) PCCD is seeking a William and Hannah Penn Fellow to support policy research for its newly re-established Office of Gun Violence Prevention (OGVP). The fellow will develop an expertise in community violence intervention (CVI) strategies and state-level gun policies and initiatives that have demonstrated impact on reducing firearm-related deaths and injuries, including the specific types of gun violence (suicide, domestic violence, community violence) and populations (rural and urban) that may benefit from those approaches. As part of the OGVP team, the fellow will work with counterparts in the policy office and Office of Research as well as Evaluation and Strategic Policy Development to update Pennsylvania's research agenda for gun violence prevention. This can be used by state agencies and institutions of higher education to answer key questions and address current gaps in gun violence prevention research.

Department of Agriculture (AG) The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) is committed to supporting agriculture through policy, programming, and resources to further the vitality of farm and forestry businesses or communities. In addition, PDA plays a key role in assisting our charitable feeding system, including running several programs and partnering with key stakeholders. We have increased that work by the creation of a Food Policy Council that looks at our state's food system in a holistic manner. A William and Hannan Penn Fellow (WHPF) would greatly assist PDA in achieving our goals of making greater connections and policy decisions in our food systems. The Fellow will be involved with multiple projects (Food Action Plan, State Food Purchase Program, Venison Donation Program, And Food as Medicine) with successful outcomes dependent upon informed and engaged stakeholders; clear organization and communication between project partners; establishment of robust cross departmental coalitions for various projects; generation of quality data to tracking and detailed recording of project actions; and comprehensive analysis of project impact.

Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) The proposed area of focus for the Penn Fellow is developing a comprehensive toolkit to assist local municipalities in updating and improving their land use and zoning regulations to facilitate housing development. Many municipalities face challenges in creating a regulatory framework that supports housing growth while addressing community needs and preserving quality of life. The Penn Fellow will work closely with the DCED policy team, state planning board, and other housing experts to create a user-friendly toolkit that provides municipalities with practical resources, best practices, and clear guidelines for adjusting zoning codes and land use policies to encourage housing development. The Fellow will also assist with housing-related research and contribute to the planning and implementation of Housing Action Plan, ensuring that municipalities have the necessary tools to effectively tackle housing challenges. This work will involve researching successful zoning reforms in other regions; collaborating with legal experts to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations; and gathering input from stakeholders to ensure the toolkit is tailored to the unique needs of different communities. This project aims to empower municipalities with the tools they need to proactively address housing challenges and promote sustainable growth.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Relocation payment or reimbursement is not included.
• Work hours will be Monday - Friday and will be discussed at the time of job offer.
• The fellowship will be based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and will start on Monday, August 11, 2025. All fellows must report in-person on day one.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• You must have obtained a master's or higher degree between December 2020 and August 2025.

Additional Requirements:

• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Preferred Qualifications (not required):

• Established excellence in academics and/or professional achievement
• Proven leadership ability and potential for further growth
• Demonstrated commitment to public service
• Evidence of effective collaboration and working well within diverse teams

Essay Question:

As part of the application process, please attach a response to the following question. Your response should not exceed two pages.

How to Apply:

• Your application must include a cover letter, resume, two professional or academic reference letters, unofficial college transcripts, and an essay submission.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Veterans:

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.