Federal Government Jobs

What is available?
No matter what your interests or employment background, there is probably a spot for you in government jobs.  The federal government jobs in highest demand are administration, office clerk/assistant, information technology, contract specialist, management analyst, human resources specialist and engineer.  The U.S. federal government separates its jobs according to the following eight career interest areas:

• Business Detail
  includes federal government jobs in business operations and law, such as clerks (law, medical, intelligence, financial, etc.), fingerprint ID, claims examining (workers’ comp, social insurance (see insurance jobs), loss & damage, etc.), cargo scheduling, cash processing and more.
• Humanitarian
  careers deal with medical insurance and counseling.  These include government jobs in the fields of dentistry, education, chaplain, medical technician and assistants, nursing and social services.
• Leading-Influencing
  includes professional, analytical and foreign affairs jobs, such as for accounting, agricultural marketing, auditing, computer science, realty, personnel management, mathematics, international relations, industrial property management, financial analysis and attorneys.
• Mechanical
  jobs involve engineering and laborers.  These jobs include air traffic control, aircraft mechanics, biomedical engineers, civil engineers, fire protection engineers, electricians, materials handling, naval architecture, cooking, general equipment mechanics, plumbing and carpentry.
• Plants & Animals
  include federal government jobs in agriculture, forestry, fish, and wildlife, such as wildlife refuge management, fishery biology, pest control and park ranger.
• Protective
  jobs deal with law enforcement and investigation.  Examples of such jobs are in aviation safety, border patrol, alcohol tobacco and firearms inspection, correctional officer, criminal investigating, customs inspection, police, security administration, and fire protection & prevention.
• Scientific
  federal government jobs involve research and applied science, such as astronomy and space science, chemistry, ecology, genetics, history, meteorology, pharmacology, and soil science.
• Other includes federal jobs such as architecture, barbering, fork lift operating, interior design, museum curator, messenger, photography, writing and editing, and language specialist.

Who is hiring?
The government is always hiring.  Local governments for your city, county, and state are hiring.  Local police and fire departments are hiring.  There are even staffing agencies who hire specifically for government jobs, such as TEKsystems.  Some of the top hiring federal government agencies include the Air Force Personnel Center, Navy Field Offices, Veterans Health Administration, Army Corps of Engineers, Army Medical Command, and National Park Service.  Do not be discouraged by the military aspect of many of these agencies — they hire civilians!  For a more complete listing of federal agencies and links to their U.S. federal government jobs web sites, visit GovtJobs.com.  Here you may find Federal Bureau of Prisons jobs, such as corrections officer and clinical psychologist, federal law enforcement jobs and federal nurse jobs, among many others.

How do I get government jobs?
Online job databases are a great resource to find government jobs, both local and federal.  Employment Spot and Jobs.net are two great databases for your job search.  Most federal agencies, with some exceptions like the CIA and FBI, are required to post all federal government job openings on USA Jobs.gov.  You may also search for federal government jobs directly on the web site of an agency that interests you.  This just goes to show that it’s not always about who you know in government — anyone can apply for these jobs.  There is a large amount of applicants to federal government jobs, so it is smart to use specific keywords in your resume that are targeted toward your desired job.  Employers might be briefly skimming over resumes, so make sure your keywords stick out, your credentials are easily identifiable and your overall resume is clean and concise.

Why the government?
According to WorkForAmerica.com, the government is the nation’s largest employer.  Employment opportunities extend far beyond Washington D.C. in all fifty states, U.S. territories, and even in many foreign countries.  As mentioned above, there are countless opportunities for government jobs in almost any field imaginable.  The government has job opportunities for high school graduates and college students, blue-collar and white-collar workers, experienced professionals, and even the elderly, disabled, and Veterans.  The pay and benefits provide yet another reason to consider a government job.  Salaries match that of similar positions in your area, thus taking cost of living into account.  Furthermore, all employees receive the same healthcare and benefits package, whether you are a plumber or a top-level executive.  Training, educational opportunities, and job security provide even more reasons why you may want to consider a job in government.

For some great resources and advice on federal government jobs, try visiting Work for America.  Or to start applying for government jobs today, visit Government.Jobs.net.