Governor Rendell Nominates Maj. Gen. Jessica Wright to State Civil Service Commission

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell today nominated Pennsylvania Adjutant General Jessica L. Wright to serve as a member of the State Civil Service Commission.

"Jessica Wright does a fantastic job as Adjutant General and will do equally well in this new assignment," Governor Rendell said.

"I want to thank Governor Rendell for the trust and confidence he placed in me by nominating me to the State Civil Service Commission," Maj. Gen. Wright said. "Through my service as Adjutant General and in the Army National Guard at both state and national levels, I believe I can help bring a veteran's perspective to the commission.

"The Civil Service Commission has many important responsibilities and making sure that our veterans receive the veterans' preference they have earned through their service and sacrifice is one of them. I look forward to the confirmation process and to continuing my career in public service with the Civil Service Commission," Wright added.

Once confirmed by the Senate, Maj. Gen. Wright would succeed Marwan Kreidie, who was appointed to the State Civil Service Commission by Governor Rendell in 2004. Wright can continue to serve as the Adjutant General until she is sworn-in.

Maj. Gen. Wright has served as the Adjutant General of the Pennsylvania National Guard since February 2004.  In this cabinet-level position, Wright commands all Air and Army National guard units allocated to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. She also oversees six state-owned veterans' homes and programs for Pennsylvania's 1.1 million veterans offered through the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

Maj. Gen. Wright supervises 19,000 Pennsylvania National Guard members and more than 6,000 full-time state and federal employees.

The State Civil Service Commission administers the merit system in Pennsylvania, covering about 60,000 employees in 38 state agencies and approximately 8,000 employees at more than 300 local government agencies and certain housing authorities.

It also administers the veterans' preference provisions established by the Military Affairs Code for civil service examinations under its jurisdiction. Veterans' preference provides 10 additional points on civil service examinations and certain hiring preference for eligible veterans.

Of the more than 83,000 state government employees in Pennsylvania, approximately 58,000 throughout 38 different state agencies are covered by civil service.  

SCSC administers tests for various civil service covered positions and compiles lists of eligible candidates. More information about the commission is available online at www.scsc.state.pa.us.

Media contact: Gary Tuma; 717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor