Federal Government, Excluding The Postal ServiceIndustry Basics: The federal government without including the postal service is the nation’s major employer with an estimated two million civilian workforce. The important duties and functions of federal government employees revolve around the main objective of: defending the nation, implementing laws and regulations, representing the country abroad and managing domestic programs and agencies.
The responsibilities of overseeing the general affairs of an entire nation are divided into fifteen executive departments. The highest department official is a member of the president’s cabinet. The departments include: treasury, justice, veteran’s affairs, defense, homeland security, agriculture, transportation, state, labor, commerce, energy, education, housing and urban development and interiors.
Industry Outlook:
The wage and salaried employment opportunities are estimated to grow by 2.5% by the year 2014. While increase in job opportunities may be attributed to increased need for security and defense the cost cutting activities of the government will continue to reduce the number of jobs. Cost cutting by the federal government involves hiring private agencies to complete jobs on a contract basis. Retirement and consequents replacements will create job opportunities.
Expected rise in opportunities are largely in case of certain departments such as: border security, public health and emergency preparedness. Employment may be on the upswing for professionals, finance and business operations while office and administration staff may decline with advance in technology and consequent automation.
Designation and Roles:
The key designations held in the federal government are varied in terms of operations and required expertise. They can be broadly classified as under:
- Management
- Analysts
- Accountants and Auditors
- Professional
- Computer specialists
- Engineers
- Scientists
- Lawyers
- Physicians
- Service
- Police Officers
- Detectives
- Criminal Investigators
- Office and Administration Support
- Information desks
- Clerks
- Secretaries
- Construction and Extraction
- Production Occupations
- Inspectors
- Testers
- Sorters
- Samplers
- Installation and Maintenance
- Aircraft mechanics
- Service Technicians
- Electricians
- repairers
- Electronic /Electrical Installers
- Transportation
- Transportation Inspector
- Air Traffic Controller
Skill or Education Required:
The wide variety of jobs requires different levels of education, skills and expertise. Some common qualifications required to be part of federal government workforce are:
- Must be a U.S Citizen
- Veterans of Military Service are given preference over other candidates with similar education
- Advancement is based on pay levels or grades.
- Training depends on the federal department or agency for which the person is employed.
Remuneration:The average earnings of full time salaried workers were $61,375 as on March 2005. General attorneys were the highest paid occupations with an average earning of $105,557.
|
