Official Site of The State of New Jersey

TRENTON – Governor Mikie Sherrill today announced Kevin Jarvis as her nominee to be the next Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. As commissioner, Jarvis will lead efforts to expand access to workforce training programs, facilitate higher education and business partnerships and pathways, improve the quality and efficiency of government services, increase career opportunities for individuals with disabilities, and continue to protect New Jersey workers. 

“I am thrilled to announce Kevin Jarvis as my pick to lead the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Kevin’s depth of experience advocating for the rights of New Jersey’s workers makes him an ideal candidate to serve as New Jersey’s Labor Commissioner,” said Governor Sherrill. “As we look to create more opportunities for New Jerseyans to find great jobs and get ahead, Kevin’s experience will be invaluable in helping us strengthen resources available to our communities.” 

“I am honored to be nominated to serve as New Jersey’s next Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and I thank Governor Sherrill for putting her trust in me,” said Kevin Jarvis. “New Jersey is the epicenter of innovation, and I look forward to working with Governor Sherrill to cultivate a workforce ready to respond to our evolving employment landscape.”  

Jarvis previously practiced Labor Law – including contract negotiations, grievances and arbitration hearings, Unfair Labor Practice matters and Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) litigation – as a Partner with the Firm of O’Brien, Belland & Bushinsky. 
 
Prior to that, Jarvis served almost four years as Chief of Staff at the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. He was also a litigator with another New Jersey-based firm where he represented hundreds of workers, many from the building trades, who had been injured due to their workplace exposure to asbestos. He also represented railroad workers injured by their workplace exposure to asbestos, diesel exhaust fumes, and other carcinogens before numerous State courts.  
 
Jarvis earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and English from Rutgers University in 1993 and a Juris Doctor degree from Seton Hall University School of Law in 2001.