ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk said Monday he hopes to capitalize on massive layoffs among federal government workers to add more talent to the city's "amazing workforce.”
Allentown is the second municipality — after Kansas City, Missouri — to join Work for America’s Spotlight Cities program, “a really cool partnership” that could be “transformative,” Tuerk said.
The organization is set to help the city pitch itself to more than 11,000 displaced workers through its Civic Match platform while modernizing Allentown's hiring systems.
Job seekers have a “chance to build a real future in a place like Allentown."Caitlin Lewis, Work for America executive director
More than 2,300 candidates “are actively looking for government jobs in Pennsylvania,” according to Work for America Executive Director Caitlin Lewis.
“If we can effectively tell the story [of] the city of Allentown, we can bring in a phenomenal group of people to help meet the needs of our residents,” Tuerk said.
'Love of place'
Allentown city government has only about 10 open jobs, but it soon will have to replace upcoming retirees and deal with regular employee turnover, Tuerk said.
Those positions represent opportunities for candidates and for the city.
Job seekers have a “chance to build a real future in a place like Allentown,” Lewis said. “There's affordable living, there's a walkable downtown, a thriving arts and food scene.
"And most importantly, there's a government that's bold, that's collaborative, and that's ready to do things differently.”
Trevor Tormann, a senior planner for the city, said Allentown’s 900 or so employees have a deep “love of place.”
And they are enabled to demonstrate that love and “leave their mark” on the city through their work, Tormann said.
“Innovation comes from unlocking the potential that people have."Mayor Matt Tuerk
Those “meaningful opportunities” to contribute are key reasons many employees are proud to work for the city, according to Tormann.
“This is a place where you can innovate,” Tuerk said, noting his administration is constantly looking for ways to “innovate in government services.”
“Innovation comes from unlocking the potential that people have,” he said.
