15 Things You're Not Sure Of About Federal Employers

What Jobs Are Available at Federal Employers? Federal employees are responsible for important government functions such as making sure food is safe as well as investigating crimes, and providing emergency medical care. Their work affects millions of people. If you're a current CPSC employee, make sure to check your biweekly pay statement to ensure the deductions are accurate. Also, be aware of the following: Administrative There are a wide variety of administrative jobs within the Federal Government. Most commonly, they are administrative assistants and office support staff. These positions require performing or supervising secretary, clerical, or specific assistant work that requires the knowledge of the procedures and practices within the context of established guidelines. This job description includes positions that provide administrative support to the operations of an department, office or agency, and perform a specific job like budgeting and human resource management or public information. As a federal worker, you will have access to a variety of first-class benefits, including a competitive compensation package as well as generous holiday and vacation leave as well as life and health insurance, and retirement plans. The benefits packages are different by agency and by location but all offer employees an edge in competitiveness over similar private sector jobs. Another important benefit is flexibility in employment. The Federal Government offers flexible working arrangements, such as part-time work and job sharing. Part-time employment allows employees to work fewer than forty hours a week while still progressing in their careers. Job sharing gives two or more employees to share duties and responsibilities for a full-time position. The Federal Government offers a wide range of benefits and services to add to these competitive advantages. These include an Employee Assistance Program that is run by counselors who are trained to help with personal issues that affect health and performance at work as well as care for elders and childcare. The government also pays for the sick leave of 13 days and 10 holidays per calendar year (New Year's Day and the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. Washington's Birthday; Memorial Day, Labor Day; Independence Day; Veterans Day. Thanksgiving, Christmas). The Federal Government is committed to being a leading employer of disabled individuals. To achieve this it offers a range of resources and information to assist agencies in recruiting, hiring and retaining individuals with disabilities. These information and resources are available in the following Resource Centres: Professional The federal government provides a variety of professional positions. The work is similar to that done in the private sectors, but at a much larger scale. Examples include the development of vaccines against deadly diseases and helping combat discrimination on the basis of race and sexuality. Other jobs include providing health services and analyzing policies. The employees of the government have a great feeling of purpose and satisfaction from their job. The pay is comparable to jobs in the private sector. The federal government offers many benefits, such as free healthcare. In addition employees are eligible for periodic step increases that boost their salaries to the maximum of a particular grade. The number of steps required for each grade can differ between agencies. Candidates should study the specifics regarding the agency they would like to work for. In addition to their salary, federal employees are entitled to vacation and sick leaves and retirement plans, and life insurance. Employees can also be entitled to tuition reimbursement for certain classes. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the pay of federal employees is determined by their education, training and experience. Certain federal jobs are more lucrative than those in the private sector, such as those that require advanced degrees or specialized in specific fields. However, a ceiling on the highest pay for certain positions means that people who hold these positions earn less than their counterparts in the private sector. Many who opt to work for the federal government claim they do so not only because of their pay however, but because they love serving the public and doing important work. The size of the federal government could make it more difficult to find a job than in a smaller organization. Some government workers have also complained about their low pay and the lack of security they feel from losing their jobs. Visit the websites of the agencies individually to learn more about the different types of federal jobs that are available. Also, look into USAJobs. These websites offer tools to aid you in finding work in your area of interest. They include career guides and hiring paths for certain groups. You can also create your own profile on these sites and save up to five resumes that are customized for different opportunities. Technical The Federal Government employs over 2 million civil servants, making it one of the world's largest employers. A large proportion of the workforce is employed by the executive branch. Examples include the Federal Housing Administration, the Census Bureau and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The remainder of the Federal workforce is employed in the judicial and legislative branches. The federal judiciary comprises districts, courts of appeals, and bankruptcy courts as in addition to the Supreme Court. fela attorneys of Representatives, and the Senate are the legislative branches of the Federal Government. Both have representatives who are elected by the people. In addition to the job opportunities, there are also numerous benefits of working in the Federal Government. These include retirement, health and vacation benefits. The federal health insurance plan offers the most extensive variety of plans across the country. Employees are offered life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance as well. Federal employees can choose from a variety of retirement plans including the 401k. They also get paid sick and vacation time which begin accruing on the day they begin their job. Many agencies are involved in cutting-edge research in medical research, healthcare and technology development. These are just a few examples of what the Federal Government does on a daily basis to make the lives of Americans better. The Federal Government has a lot of work to complete, making it a great job for those with the appropriate skills as well as education and experience. Start by identifying your areas of expertise if interested in working for a federal government. Then, you can find out the positions available. Use USAJOBS to search for job openings or browse descriptions of job openings by category or occupation. You can also learn more about the Federal Government by reading career documents, flysheets on occupations and visiting agency websites, as well as talking to current and former federal employees. The Federal Government has bargaining units for most jobs. This means that unions are involved in negotiations concerning certain conditions of employment like compensation. Blue Collar The federal government employs various workers with varying levels of education and experience. Certain jobs require a college degree or higher, while others are open to those with the high school diploma. These jobs include administrative, professional, and technical occupations, and the clerical field. Federal employees could have also acquired specialized knowledge on the job or in an educational institution for trades. The federal government also provides numerous benefits to its employees. Blue-collar workers perform manual labor or skilled trades. They typically work in manufacturing, construction, or maintenance. These workers often wear hard hats, and a few work outdoors in construction or at airports. Some employees wear uniforms that have their names or the name of their company's name printed on them. The term “blue-collar” was once used to refer to someone who works in an unskilled job, but nowadays it's used more frequently to refer to those who work using heavy machinery or a highly specialized skill set. Contrary to white-collar workers blue-collar employees don't require an education degree from a college. Some learn the skills they require on the job. Others attend vocational or trade schools, which are less expensive and less time-consuming than four-year colleges. These skills are essential in a variety of industries, and they provide an invaluable service to society. In general, white collar jobs pay more than jobs in the blue collar category. There are a few factors that affect the difference in pay. These variables are generally outside of the employees' control. They include the economy, the demand for certain goods, and the competition. Some people opt to work in the federal government for its security, prestige, and excellent benefits. Other reasons include job security, a desire to serve the public, and a wide range of challenging and interesting work. Federal employees have the opportunity to work on projects that affect the health of the nation's population, economy, and environment, including the development of vaccines against deadly diseases or working with space satellite technology. Other benefits include generous vacation and sick leaves and low-cost life insurance. Certain federal agencies provide programs for training and development that help employees advance in their career.