I, Mike Dunleavy, Governor of the State of Alaska, under the authority of Article III, Sections 1, 23, and 24 of the Alaska Constitution, hereby order the Commissioner of Administration and the Director of Personnel and Labor Relations, and encourage the Personnel Board, to adopt, modernize, and amend the state personnel rules to place an emphasis on minimum competency requirements and allow for the broadest use of education, training, and experience in order to enhance recruitment and retention efforts in the state workforce.
BACKGROUND
Alaska, like the nation, faces an unprecedented workforce shortage. Labor shortages are impacting the delivery of essential state services. Labor pools are extremely limited and state agencies compete for the same employees. At present, there are not enough qualified applicants to fill all the state’s job vacancies.
This unprecedented demand for labor throughout the State of Alaska requires the government to be flexible in recruiting, hiring, and retaining a talented and able workforce capable of serving the people of Alaska. To facilitate recruitment and retention efforts, the state must have the flexibility to review different factors when evaluating an individual’s ability to successfully perform a job.
An individual’s work background is comprised of skills, competencies, and relevant work experience. Skills and competencies can be demonstrated through education or professional development. These varying qualities can be unique and promote innovative ways to deliver state services or bring value to a position.
In the modern labor market, applicants gain knowledge, skills, and abilities through a variety of means, including apprenticeships, on-the-job training, military training, and trade schools.
The State of Alaska is committed to increasing economic opportunities for the people of Alaska by expanding the path to public employment. Many jobs can be filled by Alaskans who have relevant work experience, skills, or competency-based training.
Accordingly, this Order directs the Department of Administration, agencies, and sub-agencies of the State of Alaska, and requests the Board of Personnel, to assess and emphasize the competency requirements needed for non-professional state jobs.
ORDER
I, Mike Dunleavy, Governor of the State of Alaska, order the following:
- The Director of Personnel and Labor Relations shall identify the job classifications that currently require applicants to possess a four-year college degree. Thereafter, the Department of Administration will review which job classifications are appropriate to include practical experience in lieu of, or in addition to, a four-year college degree requirement. In conducting the review, the Department of Administration shall consult with affected state agencies under the Governor’s jurisdiction.
- Where practical, the Department of Administration shall propose and present amendments to the state’s personnel rules to the Personnel Board recommending the replacement of any requirements for a four-year college degree for all state jobs in which a degree is not legally required with comparable relevant work experience, skills, or competency-based training requirements.
- Job Postings shall include relevant experience in lieu of a college degree whenever reasonable.
- This Order shall be completed consistent with applicable law.
DURATION
This Order takes effect immediately.
Dated this 14th day of February, 2023.
