The Michigan Civil Service Commission is a bipartisan, four-member body, appointed by the Governor. Current Commissioners include James Barrett, Jase Bolger, Janet McClelland, and Jeff Steffel. The commission also appoints a state personnel director to implement its decisions. Article 11, Section 5 of Michigan's constitution mandates that the commission shall:

• Classify all positions in the classified service according to their respective duties and responsibilities,
• Fix rates of compensation for all classes of positions,
• Approve or disapprove disbursements for all personal services,
• Determine by competitive examination and performance exclusively on the basis of merit, efficiency, and fitness the qualifications of all candidates for positions in the classified service,
• Make rules and regulations covering all personnel transactions, and
• Regulate all conditions of employment in the classified service.

The commission is charged with translating this mandate into action to help the state meet the challenges of the workplace of tomorrow.

Your questions and comments are welcome by e-mail to CivilServiceCommission@michigan.gov.

Commissioner 
James Barrett

James (Jim) Barrett was the president and chief executive officer of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce for 32 years.  Mr. Barrett was also president of Michigan Chamber Services, Inc. and the Michigan Chamber Foundation.  In 2008 he founded Management and Marketing Advisory Services LLC, which consults on product marketing, public policy, and foundation and association management.  He is also a venture-capital investor focused on growth stage companies.  Mr. Barrett was inducted into the Michigan Society of Association Executives Hall of Fame in 2002 and was selected in 2003 as the top association leader in Michigan over the last 50 years by the Michigan Political History Society.  He was past chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce Executives Association, Michigan Society of Executive Association, Council of State Chambers, and Michigan Chamber of Commerce Executive Association.  Mr. Barrett holds a bachelor’s degree in financial administration from Michigan State University.  Commissioner Barrett’s term expires December 31, 2020.

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Commissioner
Jase Bolger

Jase Bolger is president of Tusker Strategies, which specializes in public-policy advising. He was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2008 and served as Speaker of the house from 2011 to 2014. Previously, he served two terms on the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners. Mr. Bolger holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a dual major in finance and political science from Western Michigan University and completed the Rodel Fellowship in Public Leadership at the Aspen Institute. Mr. Bolger earned the rank of Eagle Scout from the Boy Scouts of America. Commissioner Bolger’s term expires December 31, 2024.

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Commissioner
Janet McClelland

Janet McClelland has more than 30 years of experience in human resources administration for the state. She served as deputy director and chief deputy director for the Michigan Civil Service Commission from 1996 to 2014. During this period, she served as acting state personnel director three times. Ms. McClelland has served as a member of the Advisory Board for the MSU School of Human Resources and Labor Relations, on the State Employees Retirement System Board, and as executive secretary to the State Ethics Board. Ms. McClelland holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Western Illinois University and a master's degree in human resources and labor relations from Michigan State University. She also completed the John F. Kennedy School of Government Executive Program at Harvard University. Commissioner McClelland's term expires December 31, 2022.

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Commissioner
Jeff Steffel

Jeff Steffel served with the Michigan State Police as a trooper for 28 years. His service included roles at various posts, developing materials in its training division, coordinating litigation with the attorney general, as a legislative liaison and served as the project manager for the implementation of the Michigan Public Safety Communications System. After retirement, Mr. Steffel has worked as a consultant on wireless-engineering and criminal-law matters and as an associate professor at Grand Valley State University. He has two books currently in print on police legal procedure and constitutional law. Mr. Steffel has twice been elected councilperson on the Michigan State Bar’s Criminal Law Section and served on its Character and Fitness Committee. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Michigan State University and a juris doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Commissioner Steffel’s term expires December 31, 2026.

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