Government Careers

Want to start a career in government? Whether you want to work for the federal government or get involved on the state or municipal level, we'll help you find jobs, prepare you for the application and interview process, and show you what you can expect to earn.

  • scientists in lab
    What Jobs Can You Get with an MPH Degree?
  • Image shows a woman behind a stage curtain typing on an iPad, while another woman delivers a speech onstage at a podium. Text reads: "A day in the life of a congressional chief of staff: chief of staff will have at least a college degree, normally in political science. Professionalism in demeanor and appearance is paramount in this job. Chiefs of staff complete extensive work experience and are usually recruited personally. This job is perfect for a natural networker who has the ability to impress powerful people. Median annual salary: $148,035"
    What Does a Chief of Staff to a Congressman Do?
  • middle-aged couple counting coins
    6 Keys to Maximizing Your Thrift Savings Plan Account
  • Pension plan graph next to calculator
    How Government Pensions Work
  • Senior woman lifting dumbbells
    What Is the FERS Minimum Retirement Age?
  • Retired government employees
    How Government Retirement Systems Determine Eligibility
  • Government worker discussing change to FERS plan with financial advisor
    FERS vs. CSRS Retirement System Differences
  • Older couple looking at a tablet
    What Is the Three-Legged Stool of Government Retirement?
  • Flags of the City of Dallas, State of Texas and United States of America
    Working in Federal, State, or Local Government
  • Wisconsin State Capitol Building in Madison
    Reasons to Work in a State Capital City
  • Business people talking in office
    10 Critical Steps to Include in a Project Plan
  • High angle view of Lower East Side Manhattan Downtown, New York City, USA
    Local City Government Positions
  • Worker using a handheld tablet standing on a factory catwalk doing an internal production audit
    How to Respond to Internal Audit Questions
  • Business people talking in meeting
    Project Management Team Accountability Tips
  • Happy woman looking at tablet
    How to Become a Certified Project Manager
  • Probation officer talks to arrested man
    Differences Between Parole and Probation Officers
  • great lawn in central park
    Parks and Recreation Jobs
  • Two People Arranging Sticky Notes On Wall
    5 Key Elements of a Successful Project
  • Image shows a texas ranger in uniform looking at a bunch of photos and notes and a map with a magnifying glass
    What Does a Texas Ranger Do?
  • What Does a School Guidance Counselor Do?
    What Does a School Guidance Counselor Do?
  • Mature woman serving food to students (12-14) in cafeteria
    Being a School Cafeteria Worker
  • Sanitation worker duties and responsibilities: Operate the truck mechanisms for lifting, dumping and setting the trash cans or dumpsters down; lift heavy objects; drive garbage trucks while others ride along
    What Does a Sanitation Worker Do?
  • What Does a Government Recreation Coordinator Do?
    What Does a Government Recreation Coordinator Do?
  • A day in the life of a public works director: A degree in public administration or engineering is recommended, coordinate with outside vendors, manage projects with large budgets and ambitious goals, many officials must approve this important appointment
    What Does a Public Works Director Do?
  • Image shows a woman in an officer's uniform standing at a podium with various press mics in front of her. Text reads: "A day in the life of a government public information officer: communicate critical information effectively to the public; write press releases and prepare information for distribution by media outlets; draft speeches and arrange interviews for government officials; respond to requests for information from media outlets"
    What Does a Government Public Information Officer Do?
  • Image shows a person ominously looking over a mini prison. Text reads: "A day in the life of a prison warden: supervise all prison staff for both juveniles and adults; determine staffing needs and allocate available staff accordingly; ensure that the facility and security equipments are properly functioning to keep everything safe; median salary: $44,320"
    What Does a Prison Warden Do?
  • A police chief must be comfortable addressing the public and answering questions.
    Police Chief Duties and Responsibilities
  • A day in the life of a parks manager: Direct park operations under government authority, oversees resource protection services, provides long-term vision as well as leadership, manages planning, construction and maintenance of facilities
    What Does a Parks Manager Do?
  • A day in the life of a parks & recreation director: Present information to the city parks board on department matters, oversee marketing and publicity tied to city recreation programming, create regular reports for the city council and board members
    What Does a Director of Parks and Recreation Do?
  • Day in the Life of a Mail Carrier
    What Does a Mail Carrier Do?
  • A day in the life of a food inspector: Examine food animals in privately-owned meat or poultry plants; maintain required sanitation procedures; occasional travel; work to ensure the product is fit to eat and compliant with federal laws
    What Does a Food Inspector Do?
  • A day in the life of a firefighter: Physical stamina and strength, EMT certification, provide treatment for sick or injured individuals, decision-making ability
    What Does a Firefighter Do?
  • A ribbon cutting ceremony
    The Role of an Economic Development Director
  • A day in the life of a curriculum specialist: Stay informed of trends in instructional methods and educational technology, provide feedback to teachers based on individual observation and student performance data, select textbooks and other instructional materials for implementation, assist teachers in incorporating new technology into their lessons
    What Does a Curriculum Specialist Do?
  • Businesswoman at desk holding pen
    What Does a City Finance Director Do?
  • Image shows a man sitting at a desk looking over a document. He is wearing a suit and in front of him is a nameplate that reads "city attorney". Text reads: "A day in the life of a city attorney: advise city on legal matters, keep track of changes to state and federal law, draft laws, review city contracts, $94,000 median annual salary"
    What Does a City Attorney Do?
  • A day in the life of a bus driver: Commercial driver's license, safety, high school degree, friendliness
    What Does a Bus Driver Do?
  • A day in the life of an assistant city manager: Communicate with and delegate to department heads; CMP and MPA degrees complement on-the-job experience; Report to the city manager, mayor and city council; work on the organizational side so the city manager can look at the big picture
    What Does an Assistant City Manager Do?
  • A day in the life of a parks maintenance worker: Keep trails and paths clear and in good condition, pick up litter and remove bagged trash, plant and care for trees, shrubs and flowers, mow, fertilize, aerate, water and weed lawns
    What Does a Parks Maintenance Worker Do?
  • A day in the life of a direct support professional: Keep the patient safe from health hazards; monitor behaviors and maintain records of problems and progress; reports suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation; help with daily tasks and teach patients easier tasks
    What Does a Direct Support Professional (DSP) Do?
  • Image shows a man sitting at a computer behind a desk, with the washington monument in the window behind him. There is also a woman walking in holding papers and a cup of coffee. Text reads: "A day in the life of a congressional staffer: take constituent phone calls; research policy; run errands; be a team player"
    What Does a Congressional Staffer Do?
  • construction worker using digital tablet
    Being a Code Enforcement Officer
  • Civil engineers working
    What Does a Civil Engineer Do?
  • Image shows a child protective services (CPS) caseworker kneeling on the ground with a small child, touching her shoulder in a comforting manner. Text reads: "A day in the life of a CPS Caseworker: Salary: $44,630, Review alleged cases, Investigate and interview, Collect evidence, Develop helping plan"
    What Does a Child Protective Services (CPS) Caseworker Do?
  • This illustration shows a day in the life of a business analyst including "Brainstorm requirements a solution needs," "Gain an understanding of the organization's business processes relevant to the project's goals," "Work in cooperation with their project managers," and "Document processes to help refine the problem the project is trying to solve."
    What Does a Business Analyst Do?
  • Three interviewees sitting in a row of chairs preparing for a government job interview
    Example Questions to Ask in a Government Job Interview
  • woman in empty work space
    5 Questions Hiring Managers Consider When Reposting Jobs
  • Woman Facing Pile of Paperwork
    Avoid These Job Application Mistakes
  • man applying online using laptop and tablet
    Why Are Government Jobs Reposted?
  • One on one job interview
    Who Decides Whether a Job Is Reposted?
  • Business woman interviewing a woman with a smile
    Easy Ways to Explain Gaps in Employment History on a Job Application
  • Man staring at cell phone waiting for a call on a job
    Why It Takes so Long for a Response on a Government Job
  • Date circled in red on a calendar
    Why Do Job Postings Have Closing Dates?
  • Business people talking in office
    Some Jobs are for Internal Applicants Only
  • Woman in job interview
    How to Post a Great Job Listing
  • young woman filling application form
    Can an External Applicant Apply for Internal Job Postings?
  • Businessman in job interview
    Why You Should Ask Questions in a Job Interview
  • Man trapped in giant maze
    10 Steps in the Government Hiring Process
  • Business executives listening to the interviewee
    How to Prepare for a Government Job Interview
  • United States Capitol dome
    How to Find Government Jobs Online
  • Co-workers having a serious conversation
    How to Express Disappointment to Your Boss
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