Fellows will have the opportunity to improve the overall effectiveness of state government by serving as a key member of an agency and working on one of thirteen projects that align with Governor Shapiro's priorities.
Please review the projects in the Supplemental Questions Section and select the top three projects for which you are interested. (Please note that this is to survey your interest and does not guarantee final placement in your preferred agency or project.)
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Environmental Justice Mapping Using the PennEnviroScreen Tool (DEP)
The fellow will build on a solid foundation of work done by the office of Environmental Justice [OEJ] at the intersection of GIS, data, and community outreach. Past fellows were integral to building this foundation. Much of the fellow's work, though not all, will center on PennEnviroScreen. PennEnviroScreen is a comprehensive, complex, and state-of-the art GIS tool built by DEP and first published in 2023. Improving how we use the PennEnviroScreen tool, as well as other data and visualization tools, and how we help people across the commonwealth understand and use such tools will benefit from a science and technology fellow who can bring expertise in geography, environmental science, IT design, and GIS tools.
Currently PennEnviroScreen is seeing greater and greater use across the commonwealth. OEJ has found that its data richness and relevance means the tool becomes a "door-opener" for further collaborations within the Commonwealth and between agencies and the broader public. We know from analytics the tool has 10,000 users a year. We know from dozens of conversations with stakeholders across Pennsylvania that they are using the tool for community self-study, education, research, and grant-writing. Over the last 12 months, we have been asked to share our experiences and expertise with other states also using or making comparable tools.
Desired Qualifications:
Master's degree in Environmental or Climate Science, Data Analytics, Geographical Information Systems, Library Science, Environmental Geography or Health or other relevant field. Willingness to learn or improve GIS skills is necessary. GIS skills can be advanced or deepened as long as a basic familiarity is present.
Outcomes:
- Improving the outreach resources we make and support for a variety of users including other CWOPA agencies, local government, community-based organizations, researchers, and civic engagement efforts.
- Research and document possible improvements to the current PennEnviroScreen tool in anticipation of future updates.
- Identify ways and tools to clearly and succinctly express data through stories, maps, reports, and other methods. This effort needs to be paired with how data can inspire and sustain environmental civics.
Deliverables:
The fellow's projects and deliverables are created as part of the annual and on-going strategic planning for OEJ within DEP's own goal-setting. Specific projects and deliverables will be presented to key decision makers such as DEP executive team, or the Environmental Justice Interagency Council so that there is broad agency buy-in. These deliverables rely on some collaboration with OEJ and DEP staff, as well as IT experts. Our past experience with very successful fellows has demonstrated that we have good lines of communication and processes to sustain the work done by a fellow.
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
Using Genomics and Bioinformatics for Animal Disease Detection & Control (Agriculture)
The Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory (PVL) is one of the laboratories within the Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System (PADLS) that offers quality assured regulatory and diagnostic testing for veterinarians, farmers, animal owners, agribusinesses, and regulatory agencies. The PVL serves as main lab in Pennsylvania for the National Animal Health Laboratory Network and offers a wide variety of diagnostic services for infectious diseases. With advancement in genomics, the lab is expanding and moving towards using state of art genomic testing to be able to quickly answer questions related to disease spread as well as using new molecular testing and tracing approaches to help stop the disease spread faster.
Desired Qualifications:
The PVL seeks a Governor's Science and Technology Fellow with a Ph.D. in Microbiology, Virology, or Infectious Diseases who has extensive training in genomics and bioinformatics to help incorporate next generation tools for disease diagnostics by using cutting edge genomics and bioinformatics for rapid disease detection and improving disease traceability. The ideal fellow will have hands-on laboratory experience, including sequence library preparation for next generation sequencing, and experience with generation sequencing machines (Illumina and Minion platforms preferred). The ability to conduct bioinformatics analysis of genomic data is an essential skill for this position.
Outcomes:
In the course of the year-long fellowship, the successful fellow will expand the use of genetic information for animal disease detection and control; train Commonwealth employees in using advanced tools for disease diagnostics; share information generated with stakeholders; enhance the Commonwealth's tools for disease diagnostics by using cutting edge genomics and bioinformatics for rapid disease detection and improved disease traceability.
Pennsylvania Department of General Services
Artificial Intelligence Integration at the Department of General Services (DGS)
The Department of General Services (DGS) manages a wide range of services instrumental to supporting the Commonwealth's infrastructure and operations. Data collection and analysis processes, however, are often siloed, inconsistent, or manually intensive. Accordingly, the Administration & Real Estate Services and Enterprise Operations & Procurement divisions seek a Governor's Science and Technology fellow to lead a transformative data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) initiative focused on enhancing data quality, accessibility, and operational efficiency across the agency. This project aims to improve systems by leveraging data science and AI to support decision-making, reduce redundancy, and increase transparency. The fellow will play a key role in identifying inefficiencies, designing solutions, and guiding the implementation of AI tools across DGS. By improving data quality and enabling AI-driven insights, the fellow's work will streamline operations, increase transparency, and improve service delivery to Commonwealth agencies and the public while reducing siloed work, manual effort, errors, and costs.
Desired Qualifications:
The well-qualified applicant will have a background in data science, statistics, GIS, or computer science and possess experience with data governance, data engineering, or AI development. Applicants should be familiar with public sector operations or large-scale systems. Well-qualified applicants will have a master's or doctorate in data science, computer science, information systems, public policy, or related fields.
Outcomes:
- Identify and address gaps in data collection and quality across existing systems.
- Develop and implement strategies to improve data efficiency and accessibility.
- Collaborate with internal teams to identify opportunities for AI integration.
- Support the development and deployment of AI tools to enhance agency operations.
Deliverables:
- Comprehensive data report
- AI tool prototypes or pilots
- Final implementation plan
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Use of Data & Analytics to Improve How Programs Serve Pennsylvanians (DHS)
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) serves approximately 3.7 million individuals in the Commonwealth. DHS programs are central to the health and wellbeing of many Pennsylvanians, including children, older adults, people with physical and intellectual disabilities, and households experiencing food insecurity or economic hardship. DHS programs span physical and behavioral health, early learning, community-based services, employment and training, and access to food. Because DHS programs reach such a large share of the state's population, they are key levers for improving population health. Understanding who DHS programs serve, how people move across systems, and where outcomes differ by geography and demographic characteristics is essential to improving access, performance, and equity in a practical, action-oriented way. DHS uses data to describe service use, identify disparities, assess program effectiveness, and project future needs.
The DHS Data and Analytics team in the Secretary's Office seeks a graduate-level fellow with strong quantitative skills to help us use data systematically across programs. The fellow will work with rich administrative and external data sources (Medicaid claims, SNAP eligibility and participation data, program-specific administrative datasets, Census, American Community Survey, PHC4, and others) and focus on asking good questions of the data, not just producing metrics. Their work will support DHS leadership in understanding what is working, where there are unmet needs, and where differences in access or outcomes suggest opportunities to improve how programs serve Pennsylvanians.
The fellow will be part of the Data and Analytics team, which includes medical economists, program analysts (including a former Governor's Science and Technology Fellow), and program managers. The fellow will have access to existing analytic resources, training materials, and documentation. The fellow will attend regular meetings with the Director of Data and Analytics, team meetings with the broader data and analytics group, and select Secretary's Office meetings.
Desired Qualifications:
Well-qualified applicants will hold a master's level or higher degree in public health, biostatistics, data science, health economics, or a related quantitative field. Applicants should possess a strong data analytics background and interest in population health and public programs. Experience communicating analytic findings to non-technical audiences is preferred.
Outcomes:
The fellow will lead four to five key data and strategic projects over the fellowship year. Each project will produce a tangible deliverable such as a presentation, analytic report, brief, or data dashboard, as applicable. The fellow will present twice to executive staff, once in late 2026 and again in mid-2027. The fellow will meet regularly with the Director of Data and Analytics, the data and analytics team, and their mentor, and will participate in the team's existing project status reporting to stay on track.
Pennsylvania Department of Insurance
Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Fund Critical Data Analysis (Insurance)
The Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Fund (USTIF) at the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance seeks a fellow to conduct a research project focused on analyzing its open claims (1994-2025) to improve risk-based decision-making and decrease time to closure. This research supports USTIF's efforts to reduce its per claim remediation costs and to modernize its internal claims handling processes and regulatory framework. The researcher will conduct a comprehensive review of USTIF's historical loss experience and technical data associated with these claims, identifying patterns, risk factors, and remediation outcomes. This analysis will support the development of predictive models and decision frameworks to prioritize these claims based on risk, cost-efficiency, and likelihood of successful closure. A key objective will be to identify and address critical data gaps in backlogged sites that may be impeding progress or inflating costs, enabling informed and targeted decision-making for these claims.
Key to this work will be the application of the ASTM E3488-25 Standard Guide for Moving Sites to Closure (MStC), developed in collaboration with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and industry experts, as well as the EPA policy statement "Reassessing Exposure Threats from Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Releases." The fellow will evaluate how MStC principles, such as systematic review of remedial progress, identification of technical and non-technical barriers, and sustainability considerations, can be applied to USTIF's backlog under Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulations and guidance. The fellow will identify opportunities for accelerating claim closures for these legacy sites as a cost-saving measure, including streamlining administrative processes, enhancing stakeholder coordination, and applying targeted technical solutions to expedite remediation. The fellow will work closely with DEP central office and regional remediation project managers and USTIF's TPA's contracted geologists to ensure site-specific insights and technical expertise are incorporated into the analysis and recommendations.
To support long-term improvements in data-driven decision-making, the researcher will assess the structure and content of USTIF's existing databases and recommend enhancements to ensure they capture sufficient and standardized data to group claims by barriers to closure. The study will also include a review of digital transformation initiatives, AI-driven claims analysis and triage, as well as regulatory innovations from the insurance industry and other state financial responsibility funds that have led to measurable improvements in claims processing efficiency and cost control. These insights will be synthesized into actionable recommendations for USTIF, including potential legislative, regulatory, or procedural changes. Final deliverables will include a comprehensive report, a presentation to the Underground Storage Tank Indemnification board and the Storage Tank Advisory Committee, and a strategic roadmap for backlog reduction for publication on USTIF's website.
Desired Qualifications:
Well-qualified applicants will hold a Ph.D. in economics, preferably with a focus on environmental or agricultural economics.
Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry
Integrating Artificial Intelligence into Service and Workforce Development Programs (L&I)
The Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) looks to increase positive workforce development outcomes and increase AI literacy for young adults in publicly funded service programs, apprenticeship programs, and other professional development opportunities. L&I seeks a Governor's Science and Technology fellow to support the research, design, and strategic planning of this initiative.
The fellow will conduct a landscape analysis to assess L&I's current service and workforce development programs and collaborate with PennSERVE to recommend ways in which the department can increase positive workforce outcomes for service participants. The fellow will also employ systems thinking to assess how different program components interact and how PennSERVE's service programs may better interface with workforce development systems. This may include a plan/roadmap to align service-to-career pathways and workforce development pathways or exploration of stackable AI and other credentials for service participants. The fellow will also contribute to the creation of a public-facing educational blueprint explaining the benefit of service-to-career pathways. As part of this blueprint, the fellow will create an interactive workforce ecosystem map and develop a visual guide to funding and infrastructure supports with a focus on braiding funds from state government, WIOA, tech firms or universities, and other philanthropic partnerships. Lastly, the fellow will identify AI literacy curriculum by identifying existing resources that support AI literacy and workforce development.
The fellow will gain a network, education, and experience in workforce development, public service development, and public policy. They will gain experience in research, data analysis, program analysis, and critical thinking as well as hands-on experience applying STEM knowledge to service and workforce development challenges. This position offers hands-on experience creating visual material and interactive web material. Lastly, the fellow will develop expertise in AI literacy resources and tools.
Preferred Qualifications:
Well-qualified fellows will hold a master's or Ph.D. in data science, analytics, computer or information science, engineering, or human-centered computing/UX design. Successful applicants will have some experience with data visualization and interactive digital materials as well as training curriculum and AI literacy. Experience, education, or an interest in public policy, public service, or workforce development preferred. Applicants should possess strong research, writing, and communication skills, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively; a background in national service would be a plus.
Deliverables:
- Landscape analysis to include recommendations.
- Educational Blueprint and workforce ecosystem map.
- Concept paper outlining potential models for integrating AI literacy into service programs and workforce development programs.
- Any other recommendations or materials the program supervisor or fellow determines beneficial to the project.
Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, Bureau of Labor Law Compliance
Improving the Enforcement of the Commonwealth's Labor Laws (L&I)
The Bureau of Labor Law Compliance (BLLC) endeavors to improve enforcement of the Commonwealth's labor laws by leveraging technological advancements in data storage/processing, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI) to increase worker protection. The systems that BLLC currently uses for labor law enforcement are not operating at the "speed of business."
The Governor's Science and Technology Fellow will focus on modernizing and optimizing key processes within BLLC by leveraging advances in modern computing technology, software, and AI. With the Fellow's contributions, BLLC will become more creative, smarter, and more proactive in its enforcement efforts. Externally, improvements in this space will contribute to a decrease in wage theft, better compliance with the Commonwealth's worker protections (including protections for child laborers), increased understanding of those worker protections within industry, and a more level playing field for the Commonwealth's law-abiding employers. Internally, the Fellow will identify inefficiencies, streamline workflows, and implement innovative, data-driven solutions that improve service delivery, reduce manual workload, and enhance decision-making.
Key responsibilities of the Fellow will include: (1) conducting a comprehensive process mapping and needs assessment to identify innovation that can broaden and fine-tune BLLC's impact by identifying bottlenecks and high-impact areas for automation; (2) evaluating existing data systems and recommending new products and/or strategies for improved data integration; (3) designing and piloting automation tools and processes that incorporate technological advances into BLLC processes to reduce manual effort and processing time; and (4) training staff and leadership on the use of products and updated processes.
Preferred Qualifications:
A well-qualified applicant will have a master's degree in computer science, information technology, or information systems or have demonstrable experience in such fields.
Deliverables:
- Conduct a needs assessment and identify software and hardware that the BLLC can use to better provide services to the public.
- Present to BLLC leadership how identified technological solutions may improve BLLC processes and data practices.
- Completion of pilot programs and integration of forward-looking program improvements using identified technology and automation practices.
- Train BLLC staff and leadership on updated processes and how individual processes can be evaluated using clear data-driven metrics.
Governor's Office of Transformation and Opportunity
Incorporating Artificial Intelligence Best Practices into Commonwealth Operations Both Responsibly & Effectively (OTO)
The Governor's Office of Transformation and Opportunity (OTO) coordinates Commonwealth agencies to proactively engage with businesses in order to strengthen the Commonwealth's long-term competitiveness and to support the strategic industries that drive Pennsylvania's economic growth and prosperity. Governor Shapiro created OTO with Executive Order 2023-05. The office is a state leader in solving complex problems and fixing bottlenecks to get things done in Pennsylvania and for Pennsylvanians.
The OTO seeks a fellow to serve as an in-government Artificial Intelligence (AI) expert who will bring the latest insights from the field into the Commonwealth's decision-making. Specifically, the fellow will provide expert technical and programmatic advice on how to incorporate cutting-edge AI technologies into Commonwealth operations in a responsible and effective manner in accordance with industry best practices and the Commonwealth's own framework. The fellow would provide immediate support to ongoing efforts to apply AI to certain permitting processes.
Preferred Qualifications:
A successful applicant should be able to demonstrate experience in developing or applying AI models.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:
- Full-time employment
- Work hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 60-minute lunch.
- Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to 3 days per week. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
- Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
- You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.
Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania
$79,062.00 Annually
dental insurance, vision insurance, parental leave, vacation time, paid time off, paid holidays, sick time, retirement plan
Mar 13, 2026