When the federal government downsized in 2025, many dedicated public servants found themselves adrift. But for some, this wasn't an ending, but a new beginning, as they discovered fulfilling careers at the state and city levels!
Imagine this: You're deeply committed to public service, your career is your calling, and then, in an instant, your job is gone. This was the reality for hundreds of thousands of federal employees in 2025. Meghan Burns, a civil rights attorney for the Department of Education, experienced this firsthand when her computer abruptly logged her out, and she learned her position was terminated. She, along with colleagues in several civil rights offices, were no longer federal employees.
Burns, who had dedicated her entire professional life to public service and civil rights, wasn't ready to give up on her passion. "When I graduated law school, I specifically moved to DC because I knew I wanted to do public service and civil rights-based work. That has been all I've done," she shared.
According to the Office of Personnel Management, a staggering 317,000 federal employees departed from their government roles in 2025. This mass exodus was part of President Trump's significant initiative to reduce the size of the federal workforce. While many opted for voluntary buyouts and early retirement packages, a substantial number of employees were indeed let go. This widespread reduction in federal staff created a ripple effect, with skilled professionals scrambling to find new opportunities in the private and nonprofit sectors.
But here's where it gets interesting: Instead of leaving public service altogether, many former federal workers, like Meghan Burns, found a way to continue their commitment by transitioning to state or local government positions. "The federal government's loss is their gain for sure," Burns remarked, now serving as the Deputy Director of the Maryland Department of Health's Office of Equal Opportunity Program.
And this is the part most people miss: Several states, including California, Hawaii, Maryland, New Mexico, New York, and Virginia, actively reached out to these displaced federal employees. They even offered to simplify the application process to encourage them to fill critical local roles. Caitlin Lewis, co-founder of Work for America, an organization that assists individuals in securing public-sector jobs, highlighted the immense benefit to these communities. "It's been a huge opportunity for communities that have captured really tenured high-quality talent that they just wouldn't have had access to in any other scenario," she explained.
Finding Purpose Closer to Home
Marc Shaw, a 51-year-old who spent 25 years in the foreign service, was ready to return to his hometown of Kansas City, Missouri. After a distinguished career overseeing arms control and compliance, and serving in Afghanistan, he found himself contemplating his next move. "The question becomes… what do you do with this career? Who is going to want you?" he pondered, after applying to various non-governmental organizations and universities.
It was his mother who suggested he explore opportunities within the city government. Initially, Shaw was unsure how his extensive federal experience would translate. However, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas recognized the immense value of these skills. "They understand how to navigate bureaucracy. They understand the core mission of what we are trying to do. They have just exceptional expertise," Lucas stated, emphasizing how local governments rarely have access to such a depth of experience.
Lucas had aimed to attract federal workers to city roles since taking office in 2019, but many were hesitant to leave the perceived stability of federal employment. Now, cities like Kansas City are actively competing for these seasoned professionals, who increasingly view city employment as a secure and impactful career path. "For the rest of America, it has been a benefit, and I think a strong opportunity for us to really attract talent that in years past used to be centered exclusively in Washington and now necessarily is looking at opportunities all around the country," Mayor Lucas added.
Shaw, now the Interim City Auditor for Kansas City, finds satisfaction in the reduced bureaucracy and increased flexibility compared to his State Department days. He appreciates being closer to the city council and able to address issues more rapidly. This role allows him to be deeply immersed in his community and witness the direct impact of his work – a sentiment that brings him great fulfillment.
An Unforeseen Wave of Need
While most of the nation's over 3 million federal employees are non-partisan civil servants, the political landscape can influence their roles. When Donald Trump won the presidency in late 2024, Caitlin Lewis of Work for America anticipated helping political appointees transition out of their roles. However, she admitted, "we absolutely never could have imagined the volume of need that was going to occur come January and February of last year," referring to the widespread layoffs of civil servants.
Work for America's Civic Match program quickly adapted, organizing job fairs, resume workshops, and mental health support for newly unemployed federal workers. They also focused on bridging the gap in understanding how national or international experience could be applied to local and state needs. Local governments often face shortages in crucial areas like human resources, finance, and operations, and there's a particular need for mid-career professionals who can grow into leadership positions.
While the exact number of former federal workers who found new public sector jobs is unknown, more than 250 state and local governments utilize Civic Match. Since January 2025, 187 individuals have successfully landed roles in state or local government through this program.
A Deep-Seated Desire to Serve
For Austin Holland, 39, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, a career in federal service was a deliberate choice. He pursued law school with the express goal of working for the federal government, beginning his tenure at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). However, in May 2025, the administration's policy on remote work made his daily commute unsustainable, and relocating his young family was too challenging. "I really loved my job, and really felt called to the work I was doing," Holland expressed.
He explored opportunities with nonprofits, cities, and states before finding his current position as assistant counsel for the Pennsylvania Housing and Finance Agency. His experience in administrative law at HUD, which involved drafting regulations and engaging with a broad spectrum of policy issues, has proven invaluable at the state level, where he now works on a more diverse range of programs. "Even (in) big states like Pennsylvania, a state-level agency is still so much smaller than a federal agency," he noted.
Holland finds immense satisfaction in seeing the direct impact of his work on people's lives. "I'm much closer to the direct impact that my work has. That's awesome," he concluded.
What are your thoughts on this shift of talent from federal to local government? Do you believe this trend benefits communities, or are there potential downsides to losing experienced federal workers? Share your perspective in the comments below!
