Introduction
Missouri is kicking off the new year with an innovative initiative designed to enhance state workforce recruitment through employee referrals. The Show Me’s Got Talent program, launching Monday, represents a strategic approach to building a stronger public service community while rewarding current employees for their role in growing the state’s workforce.
Serving Public Service Growth
The program offers substantial incentives for state employees who successfully refer new talent, with rewards of $250 or $500 available after the referred employee’s 90-day tenure. The higher reward tier specifically targets hard-to-fill positions, demonstrating the state’s commitment to addressing critical workforce needs. To qualify, referrals must bring in either first-time state employees or individuals who haven’t worked for the state in at least six months, focusing on full-time, benefit-eligible positions.
Governing Through Innovation
The Missouri Office of Administration (OA), which oversees state government operations and employee management, will administer this groundbreaking program. OA Commissioner Ken Zellers emphasizes the program’s broader impact: “Implementing a state employee referral program is not just about finding new talent; it’s about fostering a culture of collaboration and shared success. When our own team members become ambassadors for the State of Missouri, we not only tap into a rich pool of potential candidates but also strengthen the bonds that make our state workforce a community dedicated to excellence.”
Building Better Government
The initiative emerged from the creative minds of state employees themselves, having been proposed by the winning team of the 2022 Show Me Challenge, a competition where state employee teams propose innovative solutions to better serve Missourians. This grassroots origin story, combined with legislative support through state budget funding, demonstrates Missouri’s commitment to employee-driven innovation.
Leading Public Sector Excellence
Any of the state’s 17 departments utilizing the MO Careers Job Application platform can participate in the program, though employees involved in hiring or recruitment processes are ineligible. As OA talent acquisition manager Jessie Pace notes, “Through the launch of this new state employee referral program, this recruitment strategy helps us commit to building a unified, empowered workforce. By encouraging our team members to be architects of our state’s future, we will be able to source top talent and forge a collaborative spirit that propels us to better help our customers.”
