Government JobsWithout a doubt, the U.S. government is the largest employer in the nation. They have over one million job titles and over 400 occupational specialties to choose from. There are numerous agencies and bureaus within the federal government, each with its own mission statement and duties. There are jobs in just about every field and industry that you would find in the private sector. Government jobs come with some nice benefits and retirement packages. Also, not all government jobs are federal. There are jobs available at the state level as well as local governments such as cities and counties. There are even civilian jobs within the U.S. military. Getting a job with a government agency can be more tedious than getting a job within the private sector. Most agencies receive hundreds or even thousands of applications and employers can be specific. Government jobs usually require testing and background checks. Inspectors, investigators, secretaries, technicians, attorneys, contractors, human resources, civil engineers, tax examiners, and analysts are all job titles to be found in the government sector. Government Job QualificationsQualifications for government jobs vary greatly depending on the type of job. For most positions, the candidate will need a bachelor’s degree in the appropriate field. Supervisory positions may require a higher degree along with previous experience from working in the private sector. Most government jobs require civil testing. The purpose of a civil test is to make sure that a candidate is knowledgeable of government policies, laws, and procedures. Candidates must undergo at least one, possibly more, civil tests along with background checks. Applying for most government jobs can be a long process. An important key is to follow the rules for the application process exactly. If you don’t follow the procedure, the employers will discard your application. After all, government is all about proper procedures. With the large number of applicants that the government departments receive, it can take up to several weeks before you get an interview so prepare to wait. Government Job Descriptions
Federal – These jobs all fall within the division of the federal government. Locations for these jobs can be anywhere within the United States or even overseas in other countries. Job titles cover all kinds of different industries and areas. Employees of the Federal government can be clerical workers, accountants, engineers, tax auditors, federal investigators or federal marshals, post office employees, health inspectors, agricultural researchers, forest service and park rangers, customs inspectors, and other numerous agency positions. State – These jobs are all funded by the individual state. All locations will usually be within the state but not necessarily at the capital. There are many departments at the state level. Some of them are the Department of Health, State Education Agency, Department of Transportation, Department of Criminal Justice, State Troopers, and Human Services. Each of these departments has numerous positions that may have different specifications. Local – Local governments are everything at the city and county level. Like the state, there can be many different departments. There is the City Council, City Mayor’s office, Probation office, county clerk, District Courts, city waste and management, department of motor vehicles, sheriff’s department, housing, and animal control. Military – The government’s branch of the military is a good place to find a civilian job. You don’t have to enlist to work for the military. The military hires civilian contractors, researchers, instructors, and analysts. There are also the Department of Defense, Homeland Security, the Coast Guard, and the National Security Agency. Many military facilities hire civilians for clerical work. |
Government jobs within the U.S. can be divided into four main categories. They are Federal, State, Local, and Military. Each of these categories contains numerous departments, agencies, and types of jobs.