Welcome to the FedSupport Newsletter from the Partnership for Public Service. Each week, we highlight resources on a range of topics that will help you navigate this time of uncertainty, whether you continue to serve in government or are transitioning to new opportunities.
🎥 Webinar: Understanding the current legal environment and legal support options
This session will feature resources from the Federal Workers Legal Defense Network, helping participants better understand the current legal landscape. You will learn how the network can support you and the questions to ask if you consider legal counsel regarding your employment status.
Speakers:
Jenny Mattingley (moderator), vice president of government affairs, Partnership for Public Service
Craig Becker, senior counsel, American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations
Deborah Greenfield, executive director, Federal Workers Legal Defense Network
Leading through change (Small group virtual session)
When: Wednesday, June 11, at 6 p.m. EDT
Where: Zoom for Government
Description: This session will feature interactive breakout groups where Partnership facilitators will guide discussions on navigating large-scale changes.
💡 What job protections would Schedule Policy/Career positions have?
Schedule Policy/Career is a federal employment category established by the Trump administration. It permits agency leaders to reassign some federal positions from their current employment category to a new category.
The executive order requires agencies to follow the principle of veterans’ preference as far as “administratively feasible,” which leaves its implementation unclear. Additionally, the Trump administration’s rule proposed in April 2025 states that individuals in Schedule Policy/Career category will retain the competitive status they have earned otherwise.
Individuals moved to Schedule Policy/Career positions would lose certain due process rights, such as notice of removal and the right to appeal if removed from a job.
The January 2025 executive order also requires agencies to establish rules around prohibited personnel practices. It is unclear what approaches agencies may take in implementing these rules.
💼 How early career talent can find a path in public service
For early career professionals who have recently been laid off by the government and face a challenging job market, feelings of uncertainty are common. While the professional landscape may appear different, your drive to serve remains your foundation.
This blog post offers guidance on translating your college and early career experience into public sector roles, such as those in state and local government, nonprofits, higher education or even mission-driven roles in the private sector. It also provides tips for navigating your next step alongside your professional network.
This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity.
"I'm a proud, passionate federal civil servant; it's part of who I am. My great-grandfather served four years in the Italian military in the late 1890s. He then waited seven years, navigating the paperwork to become a U.S. citizen. His son, my grandfather, joined the U.S. Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s to help his family during the Great Depression. After a few years in the CCC, he enlisted in the U.S. Army when WWII broke out, serving three years in combat in Europe fighting the Nazis. When public service called, the men in my family, including me, never hesitated to serve. I'm very proud to continue that tradition. My federal colleagues are the most dedicated, hardworking employees I know. They are duty-bound and make untold sacrifices to keep the country safe. I consider it an honor to serve alongside them. I believe I'm making both my great-grandfather and grandfather very proud. God bless the United States of America!"
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