What Does a Career in Civil Service Consist Of?
Civil service workers are wage and salary workers who provide a wide range of public services and administer government functions. They work for agencies such as federal, state, and local governments as well as local, state, and foreign governments and international organizations.
The short answer is that a career in civil service consists of becoming an expert in a specific field. Employees in federal civil service positions such as lawyers, accountants, and engineers work to advance the public interest by performing work for the government. When you consider how many people there are in the country and that federal civil service employees work for the federal government, it becomes obvious that to be successful in this career; you will need to be an expert in your field.
What Is Civil Service?
Civil service is basically a career in the public service system. The focus of this system is to publicize, manage, and maintain the various public properties of the country. It basically involves helping people to understand the government’s policies and helping them access them.
A career in civil service sounds like a dream job for many people, but what exactly does a career in civil service consist of? The short answer is that there are three main types of civil servants:
Foreign Service Officers
The Foreign Service Officers (FSOs) are the senior-most career diplomats in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The titles given to these FSOs are Ambassador, Charge affairs, and Consul General.
Executive Branch Employees
The Executive Branch is the government of all governments. The most important body in this branch is the Executive Office of the President, which is led by the President and is, as such, the highest body in the Executive Branch.
Administrative Employees
Administrative employees have a vast array of different responsibilities, therefore varying job titles. These employees can work as clerks or administrative assistants in the government sector, but they may also be physicians, lawyers, teachers, or anyone who provides administrative support.
For those who aren’t familiar with it, the civil service is the name for the employees that work for the federal government. Working for the government isn’t necessarily for everyone and can actually be quite challenging, but for those with patience and determination, it provides many rewards.
The civil service is the backbone of federal, state, and municipal governments. These agencies provide essential services—from running national parks to providing disaster relief—to citizens. They also hire the people who work in those agencies. And lately, it seems like there’s a new civil service job opening every day. With so many openings, you may be tempted to try and land one of those positions. But what does that mean exactly? What types of positions can you hold, and what does a civil service career entail?
The Core Competencies of Civil Service
Becoming a public servant can be more than a lifelong dream. It can also give individuals the tools needed to pursue a meaningful career. There are a variety of federal and local jobs, and civil service provides career options for people of all backgrounds.
If you’ve spent any time at all on civil service boards, you’ve likely heard someone reference the core competencies. They’re key to understanding the basic expectations that civil service employees have to meet and determining whether or not your candidate can meet them. The core competencies provide a framework for all federal employees, while merit systems are left to each state. But what are they?
Career Civil Service Salary Ranges
If you are in the civil service, you may be wondering what your salary range is and what you need to expect. There are seven different pay levels for federal employees, ranging from GS-1 to GS-13, and each position has a rating from 1 to 9. The rating is based on what job your duties fall under, and your position level is determined by your grade level.
It is no secret that civil servants are some of the highest-paid government employees. The average salary for a civil servant can vary widely, however, depending on where the position is held.
The civil service is considered one of the highest levels of professional jobs. The positions in this profession are closely related to the executive functions of the government. These functions are concerned with the public welfare. Being employed in the service of unbiased goods is a blessing. Civil service jobs also offer better pay and benefits than the private sector. Job stability is also very high. A civil service job is known to be a rewarding experience.
