15 Things You Didn't Know About Federal Employers

Administrative, Professional, and Technical Jobs at Federal Employers Federal employees are involved in a vast range of duties that aid in government operations. They can be classified as administrative, professional or technical. When preparing your federal resume, be certain to highlight your top work or volunteer experiences. Make sure to include the dates of the start and end of each experience, as well as the number of hours you worked. A federal administration job provides the opportunity to be part of the executive branch. The departments that comprise this section of the government are diverse in the responsibilities they have and the kind of work they do, from agriculture to treasury, education to healthcare and more. The Department of Agriculture is responsible for everything from food safety to rural development while the Bureau of Labor Statistics handles statistics-related tasks. The Census Bureau is another agency within this department, and the U.S. Copyright Office is within the Library of Congress. The General Services Administration, the Social Security Administration (which manages federal offices supplies, supervises military operations) and the Department of the Army (which oversees military training and operations) are other agencies which employ administrative staff. A person in this position is expected to be responsible for filing documents, handling phone calls, investigating status on requests and other related tasks. These positions are typically found in all government agencies, but they might be found in the more prominent, larger ones. These jobs are perfect for those who love a fast-paced work environment as well as those who think strategically and remain discrete in delicate situations. Some of the most significant benefits of a job in the government administration include a good salary, great benefits, and excellent career prospects. In addition to competitive pay and a pension as well, the government provides health insurance to its employees at reasonable rates. It is not uncommon for a person employed by the government to be promoted to a different position within their company or to a different agency. They are often eligible to do this without a break in their service. Federal employees also have the option of taking advantage of generous amounts of vacation and sick leave. The government also permits you to carry a certain amount over from one year to another. The sick leave accrues at a rate of 13 days or 104 hour per biweekly pay period. Annual leave is earned based on the length of service of the employee and can be carried over up to 240 minutes. Professional Federal workers provide vital services to millions of people, whether they are providing healthcare, investigating criminal activity or developing scientific research. Federal employees are a diverse workforce, with more than 350 jobs and duties. OPM data show that administrative, technical and professional jobs make up more than half of federal employment. Administrative workers manage payroll, train new hires and create a standard operating procedure. Professionals study policy and design budgets. Certain professionals require an education to enter the field, such as lawyers and financial managers. Others are trained through on-the-job or through specialized education like in the case of the occupational therapists, nurses and chemists shown in table 1. Technical jobs require specific skills. Many of these jobs such as computer and research scientists require a master's degree to be eligible. Statisticians, who are projected to have the highest growth rate in all occupational groups employ statistical methods to collect and organize data. Scientists who work for the National Institutes of Health, and engineers who design consumer products might also require an undergraduate degree. The government provides a variety of benefits to employees, like vacation and health insurance. Additionally, the government provides employees with unique opportunities to travel and learn from colleagues in different regions of the nation and around the globe. One of the best ways to find out if a career in the government is to talk to federal employees. Talking with an Wellesley Advisor or attending a panel discussion on federal hiring can help you learn more about the process and get tailored guidance. If you are currently employed by the federal government, you can use Career Transition Service (CTS), to change agencies and not be competing with other employees. To do so, you must first complete a transition plan. In the majority of cases, a transition plan will allow you to know what you need to do to move to a position of competition in a different agency. Technical The federal government is a huge organization that requires workers with diverse backgrounds to run the government. They employ professionals in all kinds of technical roles, ranging from computer help desk expertise to cybersecurity. Many of these jobs require advanced degrees and a higher level of education. A increasing number of tech professionals are pursuing careers in the federal government since it provides a steady job without any financial bubbles that could burst, and allows for the opportunity to apply their skills directly to their set. Some of these jobs have salary ranges that are lower when compared to private sector, but the pay is still competitive and there are a lot of other benefits to take into consideration. For instance, the majority of government jobs provide generous dental and medical insurance in addition to life insurance and long-term care coverage. fela lawsuit settlements have the option to pick from a range of employer-subsidized vacation and sick days and may carry over unused leave year to year. A federal job can be a great option for those with family obligations or other commitments as it allows flexible working hours, such as telework and remotely-based jobs to maintain a balance between professional and personal responsibilities. Additionally, a variety of federal agencies offer a variety of financial incentives for recruiting as well as relocation and performance awards. Apart from the obvious advantages to a career in the field of technology, some professionals are drawn to working for the federal government due to the unique opportunities it can provide them. There are fellowships available for young technology talent that offer an entry into the public sector via the U.S. Digital Corps, Presidential Innovation Fellows program and the chance to directly work on issues that affect their community through the Federal Technology Careers Initiative or 18F. Some of the most fascinating and significant work done by the federal government occurs in the fields of medicine, science, national security and engineering. These positions can involve developing vaccines to fight deadly diseases, tackling discrimination on the basis of race and gender and tackling climate change issues. These kinds of projects and the people who do them have a profound impact on the country. Blue Collar Many blue-collar positions require manual or skilled work. These jobs can be more physically demanding, but they also offer a higher satisfaction from work for people who prefer hands-on work and gaining knowledge of a trade. Certain blue-collar positions require a higher degree of education, depending on the specific industry. Some vocational schools offer courses which are less costly and shorter than a four-year university, while others offer apprenticeships that are paid or unpaid. The term “blue collar” refers to workers who are paid per hour for their work and perform manual tasks, as opposed to salaried office workers. The phrase dates back to the 1920s, when workers often dressed in darker colors — like boilersuits or denim—to conceal dirt and other debris from their clothing, which could make them look dirty after working. Blue-collar workers can be unionized, ensuring they are guaranteed employment and that their wages are competitive. They can be employed in a variety of different fields, such as mining, construction, and logging. It is widely believed that blue-collar workers are less socially privileged than white-collar employees. However, this is not always true. Certain blue-collar jobs — like those of electricians, welders, and subway operators — require significant skills and training and can be highly lucrative. Certain jobs require less education, but pay less, such as retail or office jobs. The majority of white-collar jobs require at minimum a bachelor's degree. Higher management roles often require specialized degrees or certifications such as an MBA or CPA. Certain professions like lawyers and doctors may require licenses or certifications to practice. White-collar jobs with federal agencies might not be as lucrative as positions in the private sector, but there are benefits that are valued by many, such as low-cost life insurance, as well as generous sick and vacation leave. Some organizations offer flexible schedules for work, compressed work weeks and childcare facilities. There is a high possibility that a career in government will involve travel, especially for field engineering crews and safety investigators. Many people enjoy the travel aspect of their jobs because it allows them to travel the world and make a difference in people's lives.