Administrative, Professional, and Technical Jobs at Federal Employers
Federal employees carry out a variety of tasks that support government operations. They are classified as administrative or professional workers.
When writing a federal resume, highlight key work, volunteer and academic experiences. Include the dates of the start and end of each experience as well as the hours spent.
You can be a part of the executive branch through working in federal administration. The federal government is diverse in its departments and work, ranging from agriculture to treasury to healthcare to education, and much more. The Department of Agriculture is responsible for everything from food safety to rural development while the Bureau of Labor Statistics handles the statistical aspects. The Census Bureau falls under this department. The Library of Congress houses the Copyright Office. Other organizations that hire individuals for administrative positions include the Social Security Administration, which administers retirement and survivors insurance benefits for Americans and the General Services Administration, which manages federal offices and supplies, and the Department of the Army, which oversees military operations and training.
Employees in this position are responsible for filing documents, answering phone calls, checking the status of requests, and other duties. These positions are typically found in all government agencies, but they might be found in the more prominent, larger ones. These positions are ideal for those who enjoy an environment that is fast-paced as well as those who think strategically and remain secluded in delicate situations.
Some of the most significant benefits of a government administrative job include good salary, good benefits and excellent career opportunities. In addition to competitive salaries and a pension as well, the government provides health insurance to its employees at reasonable rates. It is not unusual for someone working in a government position to move to another position within their organization or to a different agency. fela claims are often eligible to do this without a interruption in their employment.
Federal employees also have the option of taking advantage of large amounts of sick and vacation leave. Additionally, the government allows you to carry over a certain amount of annual leave from one year to the next. The sick leave is accrued at a rate of 13 days or 104 hours for each biweekly pay period. Likewise, annual leave is based on the length of time an employee has worked and is able to be carried over up to 240 hours.
Professional
They are either investigating criminal activities, providing healthcare, or developing research, federal workers provide vital functions that affect millions of people. Federal employees are a diverse bunch with more than 350 different tasks and duties. OPM data shows that administrative, technical, and professional jobs make up more than half of federal employment. Administrative workers manage payroll, train new employees and create a the standard operating procedure. Professionals create budgets and analyze policies. Certain professionals require qualifications to be able to work in the field, such as lawyers and financial managers. Some professionals gain experience by gaining on-the-job or specialized training such as the one for occupational therapists and nurses in table 1.
Skills that are specific to technical jobs. Many of these jobs such as computer and research scientists require a master's degree to be able to apply. Statisticians, who are projected to have the highest rate of growth among all occupational groups, apply statistical methods to gather and organize data. Engineers and scientists working for the National Institutes of Health and creating consumer goods and buildings might also require a bachelor's.
In addition to competitive salaries, the government offers various benefits for employees, including health insurance as well as retirement and vacation plans. The government also offers employees the opportunity to travel and connect with colleagues in other areas of the nation or across the globe.
One of the best ways to determine whether a career in government is to talk to federal employees. You can learn more about the federal hiring process and get specific advice by speaking to a Wellesley advisor or attending a federal panel discussion.
If you already work for the federal government, you may make use of the 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 enable you to understand the steps required to transfer to a position of competition within another agency.
Technical
The federal government is an enormous entity that requires employees with diverse backgrounds to keep it running. They employ professionals in all sorts of technical positions, from computer help desk expertise to cybersecurity. A majority of these jobs require advanced degrees and a higher level of education. A increasing number of tech professionals are looking to work in the federal government as it is a stable job that is not subject to financial bubbles that could burst, and allows for the opportunity to apply their skills directly to their set.
Some of these jobs have lower pay ranges in comparison to the private sector, but the pay is still competitive and there are plenty of additional benefits worth considering. Most government jobs offer generous dental and health insurance in addition to long-term health insurance for life and health. Federal employees also have the option to pick from a range of employer-subsidized sick and vacation days, and can carry over any unused time from year to year.
Federal careers can also be ideal for those with family commitments or other obligations, as it allows flexible work schedules such as remote work and telework to maintain an equilibrium between personal and professional obligations. A variety of federal agencies also offer a range of monetary awards for recruitment, relocation, and performance.
Besides the obvious career benefits, some tech professionals are drawn to working for the federal government due to the unique opportunities it has to provide them with. There are fellowships for emerging tech talent that provide entry into the public sector through the U.S. Digital Corps, Presidential Innovation Fellows program and the chance to work directly on issues that affect their community by way of the Federal Technology Careers Initiative or 18F.
In the federal government, some of the most interesting and impactful work is done in the areas of engineering, science medicine, and national security. These positions may involve the development of vaccines against deadly diseases, tackling discrimination based on race and sexuality, or solving climate change issues. These projects and their staff have a profound effect on the nation.
Blue Collar
A lot of blue-collar jobs require skilled or manual work. These jobs may be physically demanding, but they provide greater job satisfaction for those who prefer to learn an industry and perform hands-on work. Depending on the type of industry certain blue-collar jobs require higher education than white-collar jobs. Some vocational schools offer less expensive, shorter training programs than a four year college. Some offer paid or unpaid apprentices.
The term "blue collar" refers to people who are paid by the hour for their work and do manual tasks, as opposed to salaried office employees. The phrase dates back to the 1920s, when people often were wearing darker-colored clothes -- such as boilersuits or denim -- to hide dirt and other debris from their clothing, which could make them look dirty after work. Blue-collar workers are often unionized, ensuring that they are secure in their jobs and that their salaries are competitive. They can work in many different fields, like mining, construction, and logging.
It is widely thought that blue-collar workers are less socially wealthy than white-collar workers. However this isn't always the case. Some blue-collar jobs--like those of welders, electricians, and subway operators --require significant skills and training, and earn high wages. However, some jobs require less education and pay as well as retail jobs or office jobs.
Most white-collar positions require at least a bachelor's degree. Higher-level management positions typically require specialized degrees or credentials like an MBA or CPA. Certain professions like lawyers and doctors might require certifications or licenses in order to practice.
White-collar jobs in federal agencies may not be as lucrative as positions in the private sector, however there are still benefits that many people value, such as low-cost life insurance and generous vacation and sick leave. Certain agencies offer alternative schedules for work, such as flexible hours and shorter work days and some even offer childcare facilities. A career in the government is likely to involve travel, particularly for safety investigators and field engineering teams. Many people like the travel aspect of their jobs because it lets them see the world and make an impact on the lives of people.