Five Lessons You Can Learn From Federal Employers

Jobs Available at Federal Employers

Government jobs are subject to Federal civil service laws and regulations, which are augmented by additional Executive orders and statutes. The ability of government agencies to offer competitive benefits and compensation packages is a major benefit.

Administrative employees oversee operations such as payroll, training and developing standard operating procedures. They work in government buildings and offices, as well as at remote sites.

Administrative

Government agencies require employees to perform a wide range of administrative jobs that range from data collection and analysis to specific research projects. Some of these jobs require a bachelor's degree, while others only need a high school diploma or GED certificate. Whatever the job it is important to follow the directions in the job announcement carefully so that your application is complete and meets all the required elements.

As as a Federal employee, you are protected from discrimination based on of gender, race or religion, age, national origin, or sex by civil service laws and Executive Orders including Title VII. These laws are applicable to all aspects of employment, including hiring and firing pay, compensation, assignments, classification, promotion, transfer and layoff. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission enforces these laws.

Working for the Federal Government has another benefit: the government will do everything it can to help you find an opportunity in the event that the one you've got was eliminated because of the budget being cut or a consolidation. However, this doesn't mean that you cannot be dismissed for reasons like ineffective performance or disciplinary actions.

Many Federal employers’ liability employers offer good health insurance and retirement benefits, which include a defined benefit pension. Federal employees also have the option of taking advantage of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program to help pay back their educational loans. Most agencies have an Employee Assistance Program staffed by experts who can assist employees with stress, depression and substance abuse. These programs can also assist with elder or child care. They also help with financial concerns such as reconciling a checkbook, or filing tax returns. The federal employers’ liability government also offers flexible options for working like telework or compressed work schedules.

Professional

Federal workers can find meaningful work in a variety fields. They can help develop vaccines, combat discrimination on the basis of race and gender or address climate changes. They also get great compensation and benefits like low-cost life insurance, flexible schedules like telecommuting and generous sick and vacation leave. Many companies also offer educational assistance, including paying for a graduate degree.

The work can be challenging and demanding, but many employees say it is satisfying and rewarding. They feel their work is meaningful and makes a difference to the general public. This is the reason why many of the top jobs listed on the annual "Best Places to Work" lists are with the federal government.

Federal job seekers can utilize a variety of ways to explore career paths and apply, but the most effective way is through USAJobs. The website offers a variety of resources to help you explore careers and apply for jobs. It also provides advice on how to navigate the long and thorough federal application process for jobs.

There is a common misconception that you need to be connected with someone at the federal level in order to get a position. In reality, a majority of jobs are open to all. All applications are reviewed by human resources professionals and the most qualified applicants are referred to hiring managers. The site is also a good source for jobs that match your major or professional background.

Technical

The federal government offers a wide variety of technical jobs that allow applicants to utilize their skills and training. Tech jobs with the federal government are generally more lucrative and come with advantages that are competitive compared to those in private sector. The average salary is higher in the federal sector than in the private and non-profit sectors and pension and health insurance plans are superior to those offered by the majority of private businesses.

A report that was released in January reveals that the number of federal posts has increased on Handshake by 22% from last year. This means that the number of applicants to the positions has risen by 55 percent. Candidates are attracted by the greater job security as well as the benefits and time-off that comes with working in the government.

Candidates who are interested in a career in the field of technology within the federal government can choose from a variety of jobs that include national security, medicine and science. Federal agencies require employees to design buildings, carry out medical research and ensure safety of aircrafts. There are also jobs for those with a technology background like managing and maintaining computer systems.

The qualifications standards for these roles may vary by agency, but generally will be based on an individual's educational background and relevant work experience. For instance computer jobs may require a bachelor's in information technology or a related field as well as an understanding of databases. An applicant may also need to be knowledgeable about the transfer of information from source to destination and possess a solid understanding of how to create and maintain the performance of a system. Web administrators and digital forensics analyst are two computer-related jobs that are available in the government. These positions are not as prevalent in the federal government as those with a military focus, but still exist in certain agencies, such as the Department of Defense and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Blue-Collar

Federal employees can choose from a range of blue-collar jobs. These are typically manual labor jobs and include welders and plumbers as well as electricians and construction workers. Many of these jobs require special training and apprenticeships. They can pay hourly wages or be based on salary and are often accompanied by benefits of a union.

Blue-collar jobs are more physically demanding than white collar jobs however, they also offer the feeling of security. They will always be required to provide the expertise and services they offer. Toilet pipes can break, wires can be burned, and packages need to be delivered. Work-life balance is difficult however there are many ways to achieve a healthy work-life balance.

Federal employees, just as well as those employed in the private sector, perform various valuable and essential tasks. They are responsible for creating vaccines to fight deadly diseases, fighting gender, sexual and racial discrimination and tackling climate-related changes. Many people opt to work in the federal government because of the security of their job and the opportunity to serve their country.

If a job announcement states that it is open to "Agency Employees," this means that current Federal employees from the Department which published the job are eligible to apply. However, it is wise to go through the "Area of Examination" or "Who May Apply" section carefully as some announcements don't specify that temporary (also called time-limited) and student 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 have someone who works in a field that you are interested in.

Clerical

Clerical jobs, also referred to as administrative or office support positions, focus on handling the details and carrying out routine tasks for an organization. The most common clerical duties include answering phones, managing the customer or office needs, and recording and maintaining the company's records and data. They can also be accountable for office equipment tasks such as operating photocopiers scanners, and voicemail systems. Office clerks also communicate with colleagues and clients to answer questions, collect messages, or respond to complaints. Other common clerical tasks are creating and updating mailing database systems and delivering or picking up mail that is outgoing and inbound, documents and packages.

Office clerks are employed in a variety of industries and government agencies. A medical billing clerk, for example records and files insurance claims and manages inbound and outgoing mail for the health facility. A hospital receptionist is responsible for managing the front desk telephones and directing visitors or patients to patient's rooms. She also maintains the records of outpatients and inpatients.

The qualifications most relevant to jobs in clerical depend on the specific job and the industry. In general, good computer skills are essential, and a high school diploma or equivalent is required for the majority of entry-level clerical positions. Clerical positions also require the ability to work under pressure and pay close attention to the details. Since a lot of clerical jobs involve working with numbers in some capacity and math skills are a must, being proficient is also beneficial. The best candidates have a professional demeanor, and they are well-versed in proper telephone manners as well as email protocols. They also must have a great customer service experience. It may be useful to provide examples of instances where they have demonstrated strong customer service or problem-solving skills in previous jobs.