Jobs Available at Federal Employers
Government jobs are subject to Federal civil service laws and regulations, which are augmented by additional statutes and Executive orders. Agencies can provide competitive compensation and benefits.
Administrative employees manage operations such as payroll, training and developing standard operating procedures. They work in government buildings and offices, as well as at remote locations.
Administrative
Government agencies need people to work in a wide variety of administrative positions including data analysis and collection to specialized research projects. Certain positions require a bachelor's degree while others require only an high school diploma or GED certificate. No matter what the position it is important to follow the directions in the job opportunity announcement carefully so that your application is considered complete and satisfies all required elements.
Title VII and civil service laws protect Federal employees from discrimination due to race, gender or religion. These laws apply to all aspects of employment, including hiring and firing, compensation, assignments and classification, promotion, transfer and layoff. The laws are enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Another benefit of working for the Federal government is that the government bends backwards to find you a new job if yours is sacked as part of a budget reduction or a reorganization of departments and offices. But this doesn't mean that you can't be fired due to cause, such as poor performance or disciplinary action.
Many federal employers provide good health insurance and retirement benefits, which include a defined benefit pension. Federal employees can also take advantage of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program to pay back their educational loans. Many agencies have an Employee Assistance Program, staffed by professionals who are trained to assist employees with stress, depression and abuse of drugs. The programs also provide support for elder or child care. They can also assist with financial issues, like balancing your checkbook or filing your taxes. In addition the federal government provides flexible work options such as telework, compressed work schedules and alternative work locations.
Professional
Federal workers have a wide variety of opportunities to find meaningful jobs. They can help develop vaccines, combat discrimination on the basis of race and gender and tackle climate changes. Additionally, they get excellent compensation and benefits such as low-cost life insurance, as well as flexible schedules that include telework. They also get ample sick and vacation time. Many organizations offer assistance with education including funding for graduate degrees.
The job can be difficult and stressful, but many employees find it satisfying and rewarding. They feel that their work is purpose-driven and makes a difference to the general public. This is why a number of the most sought-after jobs on the annual "Best Places to Work" lists are from the federal government.
USAJobs is the best resource for federal job seekers to look into their options for careers and apply. The site has a variety of resources for exploring possibilities and submitting applications for jobs, including guidance on how to navigate the long and complicated federal application process.
The most common misconception is that you have to know someone in the federal government to be eligible for an opportunity. The majority of positions in the federal government are open to all. All applications are scrutinized by human resource professionals and those who are most qualified are referred to hiring managers. The site is also a great source for jobs that match your educational or professional background.
Technical
The federal government offers a variety of technical positions which allow applicants to use their knowledge and skills. Tech jobs in government are often more lucrative than those in private companies and offer competitive benefits. The average salary is higher in the federal sector than the private and non-profit sectors and retirement and health insurance packages are higher than those offered by the majority of private companies.
The number of federal positions has increased by 22% on Handshake since last year, according to a report released in January. The number of applications for these positions has risen by 55 percent. The higher job security, benefits, and work-life balance that come when working for the government draw candidates.
Candidates who are interested in a career in technology within the federal government can choose from a variety of careers, including those in national security, medicine, and science. Federal agencies require employees to design buildings as well as conduct medical research. They also need people to ensure the safety of aircraft. There are also jobs for those with a technology background including managing and maintaining computer systems.
Qualification standards for these roles are different depending on the organization, but should include the educational background of the applicant and relevant experience in the field. For example, an application for a computer-related job could require a bachelor's or master's degree in information technology or a related field, as well as experience working with databases. Candidates may also require an understanding of the flow of information from its source to its destination, and how to develop and maintain a system. Some computer-related jobs in the government include web administrators and digital forensics analysts. These jobs, although not as prevalent as those that focus on the military within the federal government, are in place in certain agencies such as the Department of Defense and Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Blue-Collar
There are many blue-collar jobs that are available to federal employees. These jobs are usually manual labor that include plumbers, welders, as well as electricians and construction workers. A lot of these jobs require specialized training or apprenticeships. These jobs can pay hourly or salary-based wages and are often accompanied by the advantages of joining a union.
Blue-collar jobs are more physically demanding than white collar jobs, but they also provide a sense of security. Workers in blue-collar jobs will always be needed to provide the skills and services they provide. Toilet pipes may break, wires could burn, and packages must be delivered. The work-life balance can be tough but there are many ways for these workers to keep a healthy balance by working from home and on the weekends.
Like their private sector counterparts, federal workers perform a broad range of valuable and important tasks, including the development of vaccines against deadly diseases to fighting discrimination on the basis of race and sexuality and dealing with climate change. Many people choose to work in the government because of the security of their job and the opportunity to serve their country.
If a job announcement says that it is open to “Agency employees," this means that current Federal employees of the Department that announced the vacancy are eligible to apply. It is important to carefully read the "Area of Belief" or "Who can apply" section, as some announcements don't specify that students and temporary Federal employees (also known as time-limited Federal employees) are excluded.
Meeting with people in the industry is an excellent way to get federal jobs with blue collars. Don't be shy about reaching out to your family and friends to find out if they know someone who works in a field that you are interested in.
Clerical
Clerical jobs, also referred to as administrative or office support roles, concentrate on coordinating the details and performing routine tasks for organizations. The most frequent clerical roles include answering calls, managing office or customer requests, as well as recording and preserving important records and company information. They may also perform office machine duties such as operating voicemail systems, photocopiers and scanners. Office clerks also communicate with clients and colleagues to answer queries, collect messages, or respond to complaints. Other typical clerical duties include compiling and updating mailing database systems and receiving or delivering incoming and outgoing mail packages, documents and other mail.
Office clerks work in a variety of industries and government agencies. A medical billing clerk, for example, documents and files insurance claims and handles incoming and outgoing mail at an health care facility. Hospital receptionists are responsible for managing the front desk telephones and directing visitors or patients to the rooms of patients. She also maintains records of inpatients and outpatients.
The qualifications that are most relevant for clerical positions are dependent on the industry and job. In general, good computer skills are essential and a high school diploma or equivalent is required for the majority of jobs in clerical entry-level positions. Clerical jobs also require the ability to work under pressure and pay attention to the smallest of details. Since fela case settlements of jobs in the field of clerical work involve numbers in some way having a good grasp of math is also a plus. The most qualified candidates are professional in their manner and are proficient in proper telephone etiquette as well as email protocols. They will also have a great deal of experience in customer service. Providing examples of times that they have demonstrated excellent customer service and problem-solving in previous jobs could be helpful during the interview process.