Jobs Available at Federal Employers
Federal civil service laws, regulations, and executive orders govern government jobs. The flexibility of agencies to offer competitive rewards and compensation packages is a major benefit.
Administrative employees handle operations like payroll, training and developing standard operating procedures. They are employed in offices and government buildings as well as at remote sites.
Administrative
Government agencies require employees to fill a broad range of administrative jobs, from data collection and analysis to specialized research projects. Certain jobs require a bachelor's degree while others only need an high school diploma or GED certificate. It is crucial to follow the instructions in the job advertisement so that your application can be considered complete.
As a Federal employee you are protected from discrimination on the basis of gender, race, religion, age, national origin, or sex by civil service laws and Executive Orders, including Title VII. These laws cover all aspects of employment including hiring and firing, compensation and classification, promotions, transfers and layoffs. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission enforces these laws.
Working for the Federal Government also has a benefit: the government will do all it can to help you find a job if the one you have is eliminated as a result of a budget cut or a consolidation. This doesn't mean you are not dismissed if there is an acceptable reason like poor performance, disciplinary action, or budget cuts.
Many federal employers provide good health insurance and retirement benefits, which include a defined benefit pension. Additionally, federal employees are eligible to take advantage of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program that helps pay off student loans. Many agencies have an Employee Assistance Program, staffed by experts who have been trained to help employees deal with depression, stress, and drug abuse. These programs can also aid with child or elder care. They also help with financial issues such as the balance of a checkbook or filing tax returns. The federal government also provides flexible options for working including telework and compressed work schedules.
Professional
Federal employees can find meaningful work in a variety of areas. They can assist in the development of vaccines, combat discrimination based on race and sexuality or address climate change issues. Additionally, they get excellent benefits and compensation, including low-cost life insurance, as well as flexible schedules that include telework. They also get generous sick and vacation days. Many organizations offer assistance with education which includes funding for graduate degrees.
The job can be difficult and stressful, but many employees report that it is satisfying and rewarding. They feel a sense of purpose and that their efforts contribute to the lives of the public. This is the reason why many of the most sought-after jobs on the annual "Best Places to Work" lists are with the federal government.
USAJobs is the best resource for federal job seekers to look into their career options and apply. The site provides a wide range of resources to help you find a career and apply for jobs. It also provides tips on how to navigate through the lengthy and thorough federal job application process.
The most common misconception is that you need to be connected with someone at the federal level to be considered for a job. In reality, the majority of jobs are available to all. All applications are scrutinized and the most qualified candidates are then forwarded to hiring managers. The site is also a great resource for finding positions that match your major or background.
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The federal government offers a variety of technical positions which allow applicants to make use of their abilities and education. Tech jobs with the federal government are typically more lucrative and offer advantages that are competitive with those in private sector. The federal sector pays higher average salaries than the private sector and non-profits, aswell as higher health insurance and retirement benefits.
A report released in January reveals that the number of federal posts has increased on Handshake by 22% since last year. This means that the number of applications to these positions has increased by 55%. The higher job security, benefits and work-life balance that come when working for the government draws candidates.
People who are interested in a career in technology in the federal government can choose from a variety of career options, including those in national security, medicine, and science. Federal agencies require workers to design buildings, conduct medical research and ensure safety of aircrafts. There are also jobs for those with technology backgrounds like managing and supporting computer systems.
The qualifications standards for these positions can differ from agency to agency, but typically will be based on an individual's educational background and relevant work experience. For example, an application for a computer-related job might require a bachelor's degree in information technology or a related field, as well as experience working with databases. An applicant may also need to be aware of the transfer of data from source to destination and have a solid understanding of how to create, support and analyze the performance of a system. Digital forensics and Web administrators analyst are two computer jobs available in the government. These jobs aren't as common in the federal government as those that have a military orientation however they are still found in some agencies such as the Department of Defense and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Blue-Collar
Federal employees can choose from a wide range of blue-collar job opportunities. These are typically manual labor jobs which include plumbers and welders as well as electricians and construction workers. A lot of these jobs require specialized training or apprenticeships. They may pay hourly wages or be based on salary and are usually accompanied by the advantages of joining a union.
Blue-collar jobs are more physically demanding than white-collar jobs however, they also offer an assurance of security. There will always be a demand for the skills and services that they provide. Toilet pipes break, wires get burned and packages have to be delivered. The work-life balance isn't easy but there are many ways for workers to keep a healthy balance by working at home or on weekends.
Like their private sector counterparts, federal workers perform many valuable and vital tasks, from developing vaccines for dangerous diseases to fighting discrimination on the basis of race and sexuality and tackling climate change. Many choose to work for the government for job security, and the opportunity to serve their country in a capacity that is distinctive and significant.
When a job announcement states that it is open to "Agency employees," this usually means that the current Federal employees of the Department which has released the job opening are eligible to apply. However, it is wise to look over the "Area of Consideration" or "Who could apply" section carefully as some announcements don't specify that temporary (also known as time-limited) and student Federal employees are excluded.
One of the best ways to find an Federal blue-collar job is to network and meet with people who already work in the field. Don't be afraid of reaching out to your friends and family to find out if they have anyone working in the field you are interested in.
Clerical
Clerical jobs, sometimes referred to as administrative or office support roles are focused on managing the details and performing routine tasks for organizations. The most frequent clerical roles include answering calls, handling customer or office requests and recording and maintaining important company information and records. They can also be involved in office machines tasks, such as operating photocopiers, voicemail systems, and scanners. Office clerks are also accountable for communicating with colleagues or clients to answer questions, receive messages or address complaints from customers. Other common clerical tasks are creating and updating mail database systems, and receiving or delivering incoming and outgoing mail, documents and packages.
Office clerks work in a variety of industries and government agencies. For instance a medical billing clerk is responsible for preparing and filing health insurance claims and manages incoming or outgoing mail for a health care facility. A hospital receptionist manages the front desk's telephones, guides patients or visitors to rooms for patients and keeps inpatient and outpatient records.
The qualifications that are most relevant to clerical positions will depend on the industry and job. In general, good computer skills are important, and having a high school diploma or equivalent is required for most entry-level clerical jobs. fela lawyers require the ability to work under pressure and pay close attention to the details. Since many clerical jobs involve working with numbers in some capacity and math skills are a must, being proficient is also useful. The most qualified candidates have a professional manner and are proficient in proper telephone etiquette and email protocol. They also will have plenty of experience in customer service. The ability to provide examples of times when they have demonstrated outstanding customer service and problem-solving in previous jobs could be helpful during the interview process.