Local, state and Federal agencies provide millions of Americans with steady jobs and great benefits. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Federal Government, excluding the Postal Service, is the country’s largest employer, putting 1.8 million civilians to work.

Civil service positions employ a range of qualified workers. Nearly all positions require American citizenship and most require a high school degree at minimum. Also, veterans are given preference in hiring over other candidates with equal qualifications. Some positions require applicants to undergo background investigations covering their criminal, credit and employment history, in order to obtain security clearance.

The range of job opportunities in civil service is broad and encompasses many different backgrounds and skill levels. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Career Guide to Industries, 2008-09 Edition, State and Local Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals, “State and local governments employ people in occupations found in nearly every industry in the economy, including chief executives, managers, engineers, computer specialists, secretaries and health technicians. Certain occupations, however, are mainly or exclusively found in these governments, such as legislators; tax examiners, collectors and revenue agents; urban and regional planners; judges, magistrates and other judicial workers; police and sheriff's patrol officers; and correctional officers and jailers.”

Service occupations make up the largest share of state and local government employment. These positions include police and sheriff’s patrol officers, bailiffs, correctional officers and jailers, firefighters, nurses, psychiatric and home health aides, detectives and criminal investigators, lifeguards, ski patrol, building cleaning workers, landscapers, gaming service workers and recreation workers.

Similar to the private sector, many civil service jobs in managerial or professional and related occupations require a four-year college degree. Some positions, such as engineers, physicians and surgeons, and biological and physical scientists, require a bachelor’s degree or higher in a specific field or study. Other positions, like registered nurses and many technician occupations, may be obtained with two years of post-secondary school training. Office and administrative support workers typically need only a high school diploma, although additional training and experience are assets that may speed an employee’s advancement in either status or pay.

Local, state and Federal departments and agencies often offer workers opportunities to improve their job skills or earn the necessary qualifications for advancement. Through tuition reimbursement programs, training session, seminars and on-the-job skills training, civil servants are often encouraged to develop professionally. As they advance their skills, they may become eligible for promotions and raises. Civil service positions are often regarded as offering a clear and structured pay scale and career track, as well as excellent benefits.

For those interested in obtaining work in civil service, a number of online resources with detailed information are available. To start, www.usajobs.gov is the official site of the Federal Government for Federal jobs and employment information. Job seekers can search by Government agency, job location and occupation or title. Also included on the Web site is “Ten Tips for Letting Federal Employees Know Your Worth,” a valuable document worth reviewing as you update your resume and draft a cover letter for any position in the Federal Government.

The Pennsylvania State Civil Service Commission hosts a job listing database for positions in the state government. Go to www.scsc.state.pa.us. For jobs available nationwide in state and local governments, go to www.govtjob.net. Also, www.phila.gov lists openings in the City of Philadelphia. The New Jersey Civil Service Commission also hosts a job listing database online at www.state.nj.us/personnel/jobs, as does Camden County at www.co.camden.nj.us/employment. To search for volunteer opportunities nationwide, go to www.serve.gov.