SLED staffing services for state, local and education buyers
One partner for public-sector hiring. Permanent recruitment, contract staffing and executive search for agencies, counties, cities, districts and colleges, with US-based talent on every placement.
What we do for public employers
Konnex provides recruitment, contract staffing and executive search to state agencies, counties, cities, special districts, K-12 districts and public colleges across the US. We fill hard roles: IT and cybersecurity, engineering, finance and grants, public works and leadership.
Public hiring has rules a private recruiter often ignores. Minimum qualifications are fixed. Pay bands are published. Positions need approval, and checks must match your policy. We build all of that into intake, so the candidates you see can actually be hired.
Behind each search sits a dedicated sourcing and screening team. It works every business day on your role, which is how we target a shortlist within 5 business days.
Choose your organization
Each page lists the roles we fill, how engagements work and answers to common questions.
Engagement models
4 ways to work with us. Pricing is always in writing before work starts.
| Model | How it works | How pricing works |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent recruitment | You hire the person onto your payroll. We source, screen and present candidates, then support the offer. | One-time fee, set as a percentage of first-year salary. Due on start. |
| Contract staffing | The professional works for your agency for a set term. We handle payroll as the employer of record, directly or through a US payroll partner. | Hourly bill rate: pay rate plus a markup that covers payroll taxes, insurance, screening and our margin. |
| Contract-to-hire | Start on contract, then convert to your payroll when the fit is proven and your position is approved. | Contract bill rate, then a conversion fee or a waiver after a set number of hours. Agreed in writing up front. |
| Executive and department-head search | A staged search for senior roles, with a defined schedule, candidate pool report and finalist slate. | Fixed fee in stages, quoted in your format. |
How it works
From intake call to first day.
- 1Day 1
Intake
A 30-minute call with the hiring manager. We confirm duties, minimum qualifications, pay range, location and any civil service or screening rules.
- 2Days 2 to 5
Search and screen
Our dedicated sourcing and screening team searches, contacts and interviews candidates. Every candidate is US-based and work-authorized.
- 3Target: day 5
Shortlist
You get 3 to 5 screened candidates with notes on fit, pay expectations and availability. Business days, from a complete intake.
- 4Your schedule
Interview and start
You interview and choose. We run background checks to your requirements, then handle the offer or the contract start and check in after.
Timelines are targets, not promises. Senior or highly specialized roles take longer. Executive searches follow a staged schedule we agree with you before we start.
Why demand is high right now
Public employers are hiring with tighter budgets and smaller HR teams.
618,000
open state and local government jobs in Aug 2026.
Source: BLS JOLTS, Aug 2026 (preliminary)
52%
of states hired temporary or contract staff in the past year. So did 40% of local governments.
Source: MissionSquare Research Institute, 2026
119 days
average public-sector time to hire.
Source: NEOGOV Time to Hire Report, 2020 (2018 data)
Common questions
Plain answers for hiring managers, HR and procurement. Still unsure? Ask us directly.
What is a SLED staffing agency?
A staffing agency that recruits for state, local and education employers: state agencies, counties, cities, special districts, school districts and public colleges. It works inside public hiring rules such as minimum qualifications, background checks and purchasing thresholds.
What roles can you staff for public agencies?
IT and cybersecurity, engineering and infrastructure, finance and grants, public works and operations, education operations and leadership. See the role lists on each page linked above.
Can you place people permanently, or only on contract?
Both. We run permanent recruitment, contract staffing, contract-to-hire and executive search. Many agencies start on contract while a permanent position is approved.
Is remote work possible for agency roles?
Yes, if your agency allows it. Remote placements are still US-based, work under your accounts and follow your security policies.
How do you protect public data?
We do not need agency data to run a search. Placed staff access your systems only under your accounts and policies. See our delivery and compliance page.
How do we get a quote?
Send the role details. You get a written quote with pricing, timeline and terms, in your format if you have one.
Before you buy
The 3 pages procurement teams ask for most.
Tell us the role. We will send a shortlist.
Share the duties, pay range and start date. We reply within 1 business day with next steps and a written quote.