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Working as a civil service employee means you are working in a government agency, by which can be categorized into sectors such as federal, state, or local. As a public employee, your task contributes to the overall organized operations and procedures of the town, city, or state.
Although every government entity has its standards and qualification of skills, and it might get competitive, there seems to be a lot of people pursuing this career path.
In a 2013 research conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, they have found that there were more than 2 million American people employed as a federal staff, carried out in 350 kinds of occupations. This data tells us that there are indeed many opportunities for everyone who wants to work in the government.
Depending on your skills and field of interest, there will be a specific job suitable for you.
Municipal Clerk
A municipal clerk is the one responsible for taking records, archives, and reports on different activities and projects done by the municipality. Although this job position is open even for high school graduates, specific skill sets or subjects are required. These include business management, basic economics, computer skills, public administration, and government law.
A combination of administrative and accounting tasks is commonplace for this public job. This job pays about $27,500 annually according to Recruiter.com.
Public and Nonprofit Administration (Major or Concentration)
An undergraduate major in Public and Nonprofit Administration provides civic engagement and public service and imparts knowledge of strategic methods and practical learning to respond to contemporary social issues.
The prospectus for this major, which usually falls under the Political Science undergraduate program, prepares the student not only for the administrative tasks of this job role but as well as the auditing tasks.
READ: The 10 Best Online Degrees For Career Advancement
Bachelor’s in Public Administration
This degree program or concentration is offered by:
Economist
Private economists ensure that the overall operations of a business are at par with the financial capabilities of the company. As for economists working for a state or local government, they are capable of conducting research and studies about trade and commerce, analyzing data and economic trends, and predicting forecasts.
Focusing on industrial and commercial growth, workforce employment, and project implementations are among some of the many topics that they have to deal with on a day-to-day basis. Although most companies prefer you to have a Master’s degree to become an economist in their company, the federal government usually accepts a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics for an entry-level job as a civic economist.
An economist’s salary in the United States is about $97,000 on average, as shown in the report made by Glassdoor.
Bachelor of Science in Economics
This undergraduate program in Economics has continued to become famous for learners to take until up to date. The curriculum’s primary goal is to acquaint students with real economic situations. It enables learners to be competent assessors and decision-makers in terms of public policy judgments. You can find jobs such as an economist or an analyst in government sectors, multinational corporations, or private or public business organizations.
This degree program is offered by:
Law Enforcer
If you are the person who prioritizes peace and order above anything else, and you want to contribute to society’s concord, then being a law enforcer may be your cup of tea. As police, you will be responsible for upholding the laws, driving, and patrolling around designated areas, and responding to emergencies. These roles and some more tasks will earn you about a median salary of $54,000 annually.
Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice
This Bachelor’s Degree program can be fulfilled either online or in a brick-and-mortar learning system. It prioritizes both theoretical and practical learning, and the students are performing different activities that are designed and collaborated with local and national law enforcement agencies.
In turn, most of the graduates are hired by these agencies. You will be able to think critically while knowing how to solve problems as well. These can lead to different career paths if you are thinking of taking up law or graduate degrees.
This Bachelor’s Degree program is available in these schools:
Financial Analyst
Similar to an employee working as a financial analyst in the private sector, these job roles play out pretty much the same in the governmental division. You will be responsible for expanding the business holdings of the community so it can be able to sustain funding for events, activities, projects, and services. You will deal with the IRS and the taxation field, or even conduct an assessment of national debts.
The federal government compensates for an annual salary of $76,000 for their financial analysts.
Bachelor of Science in Financial Management
The Bachelor of Science in Financial Management delivers a promise to educate students about how to manage financial resources properly. With this program, you can earn hands-on training in data analysis, learn more advanced systems to produce financial reports, develop a plan to accomplish long-term goals. You can work as a financial analyst in both the private and public sectors.
This degree program is available in the following schools:
Education Administrator
An educational administrator has a broader scope of responsibilities than plainly being a teacher or professor. You will be responsible for the instructional guidance and leadership in your learning venue, whether it is a university, high school, elementary school, or preschool. You will get to manage the daily operations and activities of the school.
Some of the fundamental roles for this job include developing and implementing educational programs, mentor and supervising other staff, preparing the school’s budget and expenses, managing career counseling, and collaborating proactively with teachers to maintain high curriculum standards. To land a job in the Department of Education in the US, you should consider taking up a Master’s in education.
Master of Education
A Master’s in Education is programmed to prepare and hone educational leaders and administrators. This program is usually focused on theories and pedagogy. Depending on your field of interest and talents, you can specialize in Teaching and Learning, Religion, Literacy, or Special Education for students with disabilities.
Students of this curriculum will be competent on how to be diverse educators, great role models, and innovative leaders to their future students and school staff.
This Master’s degree program is offered by:
Information Security Analyst
The prevalence of security threats, hacking, and stealing of valuable information has been increasing recently among private businesses, including government agencies too. Thus, an information security analyst’s job is becoming more vital than ever before. Although education plays a big part in landing a situation like this, experiences go a long way too. The skills that are required for this job role include analytical, creativity, excellent communication skills, and education in Information Technology.
Most companies and governmental hiring staff prefer candidates that have a major in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Computer Programming. You may start working for an entry-level job like a database analyst and work your way up to your career ladder and become an information security analyst.
According to Glassdoor.com, the federal government pays an information security analyst an approximate amount of $98,000 as a yearly salary.
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Due to the growing technological advancements, the demand for computer knowledge and information is branching out and expanding, somehow even connecting to artificial intelligence. This program entitles you to be well-versed at anything related to computers.
The branches of it, such as programming, software and hardware knowledge, data management, machine learning, computer networking, robotics, computer security, and even artificial intelligence, are somehow covered in this degree.
This degree program is available to be taken in these universities:
Intelligence Analyst
One of the primary civil service jobs there is in this globalized era is the intelligence analyst job. Its chief role pertains to maintaining peaceful relationships with other countries, gathering and analyzing data in the global sense, all for politics and economics.
If you are keen on being a people person, in the international context, and you love dealing with multi-cultural ethnicities, then you might go for this civil service job. The required education for this job is very flexible so that one might take a degree, major, or subjects in global studies, history, political science, or geography.
If you want to be quite competitive with other applicants, you can also up your game by taking a Master’s and garnering more working experiences. Although this job pays very well at $76,000 per year, what most employees like in this job is the fulfillment of being able to contribute to the nation’s safety and order.
Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies
This Bachelor of Arts program educates students who are globally competent and who are passionate about leaving a positive impact not only in the domestic scene but in a global framework. It is designed to foster learners to enhance their intercultural skills, communication, and relationship-building skills, and learn a whole range of knowledge from different aspects like political science, history, language, environmental studies, and economics.
This BA program is available to take in the following schools:
Agricultural Engineer
To be able to qualify for an entry-level job in the Department of Agriculture in the US, you should have a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Engineering or Biological Engineering. If you want to work as a professional engineer and provide direct service to the public, you need to be able to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam and the Professional Engineering exam as well.
The job requires a skill set that involves analytical, communication, math, and problem-solving skills. If you’re up for all these, then you are more than welcome to join the government’s hiring for agricultural engineers.
Agricultural Engineers can pave for different career paths in the field. These could be Agricultural Technicians, Food Scientists, Agricultural Managers, and Industrial Engineers.
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering
This program highlights practical experience among students where you will be able to compete with other learners in terms of invention, problem-solving, and innovational projects. Most of the universities offering this degree intend to educate and train students in machine designing, production’s environmental efficacy, processing, storing, and distributing food products or other biomaterials.
The collation of physical, biological science, and engineering results in the best method of approach for agricultural systems in companies and the country’s agriculture.
These universities offer this program:
Biologist
Looking for a civil service career as a biologist will probably land you a position in the Environmental Protection Agency in the US. If your inner zeal is to help Americans improve their health, or try to improve America’s environment, then join the team of researchers and specialists in their journey to a greater good.
Having an entry-level job as a researcher and a biologist in this government agency will necessitate you to finish a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. You will be honored to work with the country’s most excellent researchers and scientists, sharing the same mission of protecting the people’s health and the environment.
Bachelor of Science in Biology
Graduates land careers in research and development in the fields of biology, health, and environmental sciences. This curriculum is designed to prepare learners for future career paths, not limited to being a biologist alone. This degree has also been tagged as the most versatile program in the department of biology. You can fine-tune and concentrate on specific pathways if you want to pursue professional or graduate programs.
These schools readily offer this degree program:
Electrical Engineer
One of the many governmental agencies that have demanded electrical engineers is the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. With the right qualifications, you will get a chance to develop and assess America’s national power grid, along with other engineers. This role is atypical but could be rewarding and all-encompassing in terms of salaries, benefits, and the opportunity to help society.
As an electrical engineer, you will have vast knowledge in various fields like electronics, physics, and electromagnetism. Whether you prefer working in the laboratory or the area, there are numerous job openings in different government industries like transportation, technology, and communications.
American electrical engineers earn an average of $92,000 annually. Depending on your goals, you can choose a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering or pursue a Master’s.
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
Electrical engineering is a branch of applied science that confronts different fields that are collaborated along with technology, electronics, computers, robotics, machinery, and control systems. It was in the 19th century when this sole application of electrical science started playing a pivotal role in our everyday life.
As an electrical engineering student, you will reap a comprehensive knowledge of different areas of electrical operations, executions, and discoveries. You will have the chance to study how cars, machines, robots, appliances, and computers operate, how they could bind electricity and electromagnetism.
This degree program is offered in the following schools:
Architect
The federal, local, and state governments have a constant job opening for architects all over the United States. The national government job site in the US hires this job position in different government agencies such as the Army, Navy, Transportation Department, General Services Affair Administration, or the Veteran Affairs. Wherever you want to apply, there will be generous civil service job opportunities for you in this field.
As a civil service architect, you will be responsible for designing aesthetically smart-looking and safe buildings and establishments for the public’s use. Architects are somehow considered as artists and designers, too, because your building plans and designs are equivalent to works of art and masterpieces.
As a building or infrastructure project architect, you will participate in the entire process of the construction of the establishment. Architects have a median salary of $79,000 yearly, according to US news.
Bachelor of Architecture
This professional degree program takes about five years to complete, encompassing the study of technology, history, and the theory of architecture. The goal of this curriculum is to hone the skills of the students in terms of being independently driven, innovative, enterprising, and contributing to society.
An internship program is one of the requirements for students to take before they can make the Architectural Registration Exam become licensed Architect. You will be able to nurture a will to collaborate with others in diversity, sustainability, and ethics.
This professional degree program is offered by:
- California Polytechnic State University
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- The University of Texas at Austin
Human Resources Manager
An HR manager is a go-to person when it comes to the recruitment process and employee-related issues. Most government agencies involve their HR department in the means of hiring and ensuring smooth employee management within their organization. As an HR manager, your tasks include the following but are not limited to:
- Manage the recruitment process for your agency.
- Become the middleman between the government and employees, ensuring that both parties come to an understanding and compromise.
- Encourage and nurture a healthy working environment for everyone.
- Develop strategies for the HR department, in the context of recruitment processes, procedures, and employee training.
You may find employment in a government agency like the US Department of the Treasury, and acquiring education in Business Administration with a major in Human Resources Management will qualify you for the position. You will expect to have an annual salary of $92,000, as forecasted by Glassdoor.
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration: Major in Human Resources Management
Whether you want to study your major in HR management in a classroom setting or through a distance learning program has been generously available for many universities and colleges recently. Being enrolled in this curriculum will allow you to develop your skills in leadership, business practices, technical skills for HR management, and practical learning. This is the best program for you to be prepared in jobs that involve staffing, employee relationships building, and executing compensation and benefits.
These universities offer this major degree program:
Registered Nurse
There is and will always be a strong demand for public nurses in the United States. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the gradual increase of baby boomers in the population of the country will result in a shortage of nurses. Thus, the government is always on the lookout to hire more civic nurses.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics also predicts a 12% growth in employment for nurses from the year 2018 to 2028. If you are looking for a stable job that is undoubtedly in demand for the longest time, then being a nurse is the way to go.
Aside from job security and benefits, an entry-level public nurse can earn about $50,000, according to Nursejournal.org.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
This 4-year degree program paves your pathway to becoming a licensed nurse and is eligible to work in any private or public hospital in the US. It principally involves practical and theoretical learning, which prepares students to anticipate realistic clinical and hospital settings.
You will learn the integration of nursing, biological and behavioral sciences, nursing care, leadership, clinical judgment, and critical thinking. After completing this degree, you will need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses.
This Bachelor’s degree program is offered by:
Public Policy Analyst
Public policy legislates all the laws and regulations in society, and legislators and public officials usually implement this in the government. If you fancy analyzing and assessing problem-solving tactics, then being a public policy analyst might be your predisposition. The most common issues you will be facing in this job role include health care, crime, environmental concerns, social issues, and governmental matters.
You will get to be involved in meeting with community leaders to discuss economic development strategies thoroughly. As an analyst, your tasks demand research, analytics, assessing, evaluating, and imparting your reports to the governmental body and stakeholders who are responsible for the specific law.
You may choose to take up a Master’s degree in Public Policy to earn a competitive position in the government.
Master’s Degree in Public Policy
An assortment of professors and instructors in some universities are experienced prosecutors, chief officers, ex-government officials, and some civil service staff in local, federal, and state government agencies. They will train you as a future public service employee to develop and assess policies strategically and be able to contribute to the peace and order of the society in the local, national, and global context.
Not only will you learn theoretical and practical studies, but you will also be given a chance to meet some key people in the government. You can explore an opportunity to visit the White House, government agencies, and be employed as an intern, depending on the inclusions of your curriculum. All these and more will prepare you to be a dedicated civil service worker.
This Master’s degree program is offered by:
Budget Analyst
If you know your way around numbers and you have a forte for planning budget and finances, then you can earn a living by being a budget analyst. Several government bodies and agencies need your services because public funds need an expert to plan and organize them well. Most of the time, they hire an accountant to do these hefty tasks.
As the budget analyst in a public office, your job involves organizing and allocating funds based on prioritization, deliberately monitoring the budget and spending, deciding on cutting costs and unnecessary expenditures, and redistributing extra funds.
You will be responsible for creating a financial report and collaborating with other financial staff so your agency can successfully employ the financial resources wisely. A budget analyst working in the United States is estimated to earn an annual income of $75,000, according to Career Explorer.
As already mentioned, civil service jobs would vary, which is just entirely parallel to private jobs too. Most of the occupations handled by the private sector are also offered in the public division. Jobs like doctors, lawyers, teachers, nurses, laborers, secretaries, and clerical tasks are all represented in both segments. In a nutshell, civil service jobs are characterized by five major groups, such as Administrative, Clerical, Professional, Skilled, and Unskilled Trades.
There are many reasons why individuals prefer working as civil service employees. One of the reasons is that even if you have not finished higher education, you may still get qualified for a federal or local position in the government. Many jobs are hiring available everywhere in the States. Whether you choose to work for the national or in your local area, you will find an opening.
These are the jobs that you need to consider if you want to be a civil service employee and the schools that offer degrees that can land you a governmental job:
Benefits of a Career in Civil Services
Range of Job Options
Civil service offers a variety of jobs, so whether you’re a healthcare professional or a science major, you can join. Up to 28% of federal employees work in STEM fields. The civil service sector has jobs for everyone, so you should find one that matches your skills.
The United States civil service sector is expected to hire 250,000 new employees over the next few years. You can be confident that you’ll find plenty of job opportunities that match your qualifications.
Flexible Work Schedules
Although the work culture will vary depending on which institution you join, you won’t have to worry about work/life balance because civil service jobs prioritize it. You can benefit from flexible work hours and remote work opportunities.
You also won’t have to think about not being paid for overtime or night shift differential. Some private-sector jobs require you to work extra hours without being compensated. On the other hand, civil service departments take all of this seriously, and you’ll be paid for every hour you work.
Steady Income
The steady income is one of the main reasons people choose to work in the civil service. The average annual salary for a civil servant is currently $72,343.
Furthermore, the figure for federal employees is even higher. The average salary, according to the OPM (Office of Personnel Management), is $90,510. Furthermore, the income is consistent, and the government considers the effects of inflation when increasing your salary.
Job Security
Some may argue that you can make more money working in the private sector. While this may be true for some jobs, job security is not something you can get in the private sector. Private companies can go bankrupt at any time.
Civil institutions, on the other hand, are stable and can withstand economic downturns. You will not have to be concerned about being laid off or going out of business. Job security allows you to make significant life decisions, such as purchasing a home or sending your children to college, without fear of being laid off at any time.
Flexible Spending Account Program
Flexible spending accounts allow civil servants to contribute to an account that is exempt from federal income tax, FICA tax, and most other state and local income taxes.
The FSA program allows civil servants to contribute to qualified medical expenses that the Federal Employees Health Benefits program will not reimburse.
Comprehensive Retirement Plan
Nobody can deny that the private sector cannot compete with the public sector regarding retirement plans. Employees in the civil service can retire as early as 55 and continue to receive lifetime benefits. FERS provides a pension, social security, and a Thrift Savings Plan, similar to the 401(k) system to all city employees.
Career Advancement
Working under the private sector means that your advancement and growth are not solely determined by your performance or the number of years of experience you have. Employers from a private employers sector can easily deprive you of career advancement through a variety of tactics.
Working in the civil service sector, on the other hand, will provide you with numerous opportunities for advancement. Promotions are earned either through hours served or competitive exams, so you’ll always be rewarded for your performance and hard work.
Favorable Benefits
One of the many advantages of working in the civil service is that your benefits far outweigh those of the private sector. Civil servants have more savings and investments when they retire, owing to generous health and retirement plans.
Civil Service Retirement System
Although not covered by Social Security, civil servants receive the same benefits through a separate system known as the Civil Service Retirement System. This system encompasses nearly all permanent civilian jobs and provides the same benefits as social security.
FEHB Program
The Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program enables you to meet your family’s and your own healthcare needs. Civil servants have access to the most comprehensive range of healthcare options.
For catastrophic risk protection, you can select a High Deductible plan. You can also choose from other plans, such as Consumer-Driven plans, Health Savings plans with lower premiums, and FFS plans. It may take some time to explain all of these different plans, but rest assured that you will not have to worry about your or your family’s healthcare needs.
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
This Bachelor’s degree program teaches students the different theories, functions, and concepts of accounting. You will be able to know how to undergo a realistic scenario and apply actual problem-solving situations through the use of proper accounting. A master’s degree program is the next step after this 4-year curriculum so that you can qualify to take the CPA exam and be a certified accountant. Depending on your career plans, being a certified accountant will lead you to many prospective job placements in private corporations and firms and also in the federal government or other government agencies.
These schools deliver this degree program:
