Official Site of The State of New Jersey

February 27, 2026

TRENTON – Kevin D. Jarvis commenced his role as Acting Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) this week. Nominated in January by Governor Mikie Sherrill, Jarvis brings decades of experience spanning public service, labor law and policy, including previously serving as chief of staff at NJDOL, where he helped guide the department and operations.    

“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,” Governor Sherrill said in the nomination announcement. “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.”   

With Jarvis now at the helm of NJDOL, the Department is poised to ramp up its mission of advancing workforce initiatives, modernizing services, and strengthening support for both Garden State workers and employers alike.   

“I am honored to begin my service as the Acting Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development,” said Acting Commissioner Jarvis. “Most importantly, I am honored to have the opportunity to focus on initiatives and services that will provide vital support to New Jersey workers and their families. New Jersey’s strength has always been in our workforce — skilled, resilient, and ready to meet the demands of the evolving labor market. I look forward to working alongside labor, business owners, and partners across government to ensure our workforce continues to thrive. I thank Governor Mikie Sherrill for this unparalleled opportunity to serve both New Jersey workers and businesses.”   

Before returning to public service, Acting Commissioner Jarvis spent more than a decade in private practice as a labor attorney, representing workers and unions across public and private sectors in collective bargaining, arbitration, and benefits-related matters before administrative agencies and courts. Earlier in his career, he handled workplace-related legal matters that reinforced his long-standing focus on labor standards, workplace safety, and economic security for working families.   

Acting Commissioner Jarvis earned a Bachelor of Arts from Rutgers University and a Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University School of Law. He comes from a union family; his father is a lifelong member of the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 1812.    

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About the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development 

For nearly 100 years, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development has remained dedicated to protecting the Garden State’s workforce, strengthening its businesses, and promoting the dignity of work.   

To learn more information about NJDOL’s extensive mission, visit nj.gov/labor.  

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