Government employees make up a significant portion of every state's work force. State governments employ about 4 million workers, and local governments employ 10 million. The range of job opportunities includes just about every occupational and professional field.
Many government employees provide educational services, including instructional personnel and administrative and support services personnel. Most of these work in elementary and secondary schools administered by local governments; the remainder work for state governments, usually at college, university, and technical school levels.
State and local governments also employ workers in some phase of health care. This includes a full range of health care professionals such as physicians, nurses, dentists, and technical personnel.
Other persons work in general governmental control and finance activities including those employed in the administration of justice, tax collection, and general administration. Police and fire protection is supplied by law enforcement officers and support personnel and firefighters. Most of the police and practically all of the firefighters are employed by local governments.
Some government employees work in street and highway construction and maintenance. This includes civil engineers and surveyors, operators of construction machinery and equipment, truck drivers, carpenters, construction laborers, and highway toll collectors.
Places of employment and working conditions
Nearly three-quarters of the workers in this category are employed at the local community level. Those who work for state governments are located throughout the state, with most clerical and administrative facilities located at the state capital.
Working conditions vary depending on the job.
Qualifications, education, and training
State and local governments usually require the same educational and professional backgrounds as private employers.
Just about all state jobs and a majority of local government jobs are filled through some type of formal civil service test or examination. Most jobs are ranked by grade with each grade level having specific educational and experience requirements and pay ranges.
Qualified applicants are notified of testing dates; the test grades (plus a score for relevant circumstances such as area of residence or veteran's preference) then determine an applicant's position on the civil service list for that position. As openings occur, they are filled from the top of the list.
Potential and advancement
Over 14 million persons are employed by state and local governments. Employment opportunities are expected to increase substantially because of population increases and the trend toward providing more social services at taxpayers' expense.
Advancement to jobs at higher grade levels for state and municipal workers is usually through civil service examinations. Promotion to other positions is also possible, but the promoted worker is usually required to pass the appropriate examination at a later date.
Income
Government pay scales are usually comparable to those in the private sector.
Additional sources of information
Anyone interested in working for a state or local government should contact the appropriate agency or departments for job information and examination dates. The local office of the state employment service can also provide job information and will usually supply a list of current openings including requirements, pay scale, and examination dates.
