Administrative, Professional, and Technical Jobs at Federal Employers
Federal employees are involved in a wide variety of tasks that support government activities. They are classified as administrative or professional workers.
When preparing your federal resume, be sure to highlight your most important work as well as volunteer and academic experiences. Be sure to include the dates of the beginning and ending of each experience, as well as the number of hours you worked.
Administrative
A federal administration job provides you with an opportunity to be a part of the executive branch. This section of government is diverse in its departments and their work, ranging from treasury and agriculture to education to healthcare, and much 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 under this department, while the U.S. Copyright Office is within the Library of Congress. The General Services Administration, the Social Security Administration (which manages federal offices supplies, as well as supervises military operations) and the Department of the Army (which oversees military operations and training) are also government agencies which employ administrative staff.
Employees in this position are responsible for filing documents and answering phone calls, checking the status of requests and many other responsibilities. These positions are usually found in all government agencies, although they might be found in the more prominent, larger ones. These kinds of jobs are ideal for those who thrive in a high-speed environment, enjoy working with a large number of people, and are able to think strategically and remain secluded in sensitive situations.
A government administration job offers many advantages, including a high pay, great benefits and great career opportunities. The government offers its employees health insurance at affordable rates, in addition to competitive wages and pensions. It's not uncommon for a person in a government position to advance to different posts within their organization, or even to a new agency, as they are often qualified to do so without a break in service.
Additionally federal employees are able to take advantage of a substantial amount of sick leave as well as vacation time. The government also allows you to carry a certain amount from one year to another. Leave for sick days are earned at the rate of 13 days or 104 hours for each biweekly pay period. Likewise, annual leave is earned based on the length of time an employee has worked and can be carried forward up to 240 hours.
Professional
Whether they are investigating criminal activity, providing healthcare, or working on research, federal workers provide essential services that affect millions of people. Federal employees are a diverse set with more than 350 distinct tasks and responsibilities. OPM statistics show that administrative, technical, and professional jobs make up more than half of federal employment. Administrative employees manage payroll and training new employees and develop standard operating procedures. Professionals analyze policy and develop budgets. Lawyers and financial managers are among the professionals who need an education in order to get into their field. Some professionals acquire experience on-the-job training or specialized education, as is the case for occupational therapists and nurses in table 1.
Specialized skills are required for technical positions. Many of these jobs, such as researchers and computer scientists require a master's degree in order to be qualified. Statisticians, who are projected to have the highest growth rate in all occupational groups, apply statistical methods to gather and organize data. Scientists and engineers working for the National Institutes of Health and creating consumer goods and buildings might also require a bachelor's degree.
The government offers many benefits to employees, like health insurance and vacation plans. The government also gives employees the chance to travel and connect with colleagues in other areas of the nation or around the globe.
One of the best ways to find out whether a career in the government is the right choice for you is to speak with 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 currently work for the federal government, you can make use of the Career Transition Service (CTS) to switch agencies and not compete with other employees. To do so, you must first complete a transition plan. In the majority of cases, a transition plan will help you understand the requirements to be transferred to a position of competitive service within another agency.
Technical
The federal government is a massive organization that requires workers with a wide range of backgrounds and abilities to keep it running. It employs professionals in all kinds of technical jobs ranging from computer help desk expertise to cybersecurity. Many of these jobs require advanced degrees and a higher level of education. Many tech professionals are choosing to pursue careers in the federal government, since it offers a stable career without financial bubbles that could burst. It can also allow them to use their expertise directly.
Some of these jobs have relatively lower salary ranges in comparison to the private sector, but the pay is still competitive and there are a lot of additional benefits worth considering. The majority of government jobs provide dental and health insurance as well as long-term healthcare and life insurance. Federal employees also have the option to select from a variety of employer-subsidized sick and vacation days. fela lawyers can also carry over any unused time from year to year.
A federal job can be a good option for those who have family obligations or other commitments, because it offers flexible work schedules such as telework and remote-based jobs to maintain an equilibrium between personal and professional obligations. Additionally, a lot of federal agencies offer a range of monetary recruiting such as relocation, performance and award awards.
Some tech professionals choose to work in the federal government because of the unique opportunities it provides. There are fellowships for new tech professionals that provide opportunity to join the public service via the U.S. Digital Corps, Presidential Innovation Fellows program and the chance to directly work on issues that affect their community by way of the Federal Technology Careers Initiative or 18F.
Some of the most intriguing and impactful work in the federal government takes place in the fields of science, medicine, national security and engineering. These positions can involve the development of vaccines to combat deadly diseases, fighting racism and sexual discrimination and climate-related issues. These projects and their staff have a significant impact on the nation.
Blue Collar
Many blue-collar jobs require specialized or manual labor. These positions may be more physically demanding, but they also provide a greater satisfaction from work for those who prefer working with hands and learning a trade. Certain blue-collar jobs may require a higher level of education, depending on the industry. Some vocational schools offer a shorter, less expensive training programs than a four year college. Some offer apprentices who are paid or unpaid.
The term "blue-collar" is used to describe people who earn a salary per hour and are required to perform manual tasks, as opposed salaried office workers. The term has its roots in the 1920s when people wore darker-colored clothing, like denim or boilersuits, to conceal dirt, grime, and other debris on their clothes. This can cause them to appear dirty after work. Blue-collar employees may be unionized to guarantee their employment security and pay competitive salaries. They may work in many areas, such as construction, logging, mining, and manufacturing.
There is a widespread perception that blue-collar employees are lower in social standing than white-collar employees, but this isn't always the case. Some blue-collar jobs--like those of welders, electricians, and subway operators -- require a lot of qualifications and training and command high salaries. But, other jobs require less education and don't pay as well as retail jobs or office jobs.
The majority of white-collar jobs require at minimum a bachelor's level. Higher management roles often require specialized degrees or credentials such as an MBA or CPA. Certain professions, like doctors and lawyers, might also need licenses or certifications to practice.
White-collar positions with federal agencies might not be as lucrative as those in the private sector, but there are still benefits that are valued by many like low-cost life insurance, as well as generous vacation and sick leave. Some agencies have flexible work schedules, such as flexible hours and shorter work days and some offer childcare facilities. There is a high chance that a career in the government will require travel, particularly for field engineering crews and safety investigators. Many people are enthralled by this aspect of their work because it provides them with the chance to travel and make an impact on the lives of people.