United States Federal Government and Capitol Hill Field Guide
- Jessica Smith (Deactivated)
Overview
The US Federal Government is the largest employer in the United States. Federal employment is generally not affected by cyclical fluctuations in the economy as are other private sector industries, but political changes can influence staffing levels. Each presidential administration may have different public policy priorities that result in greater levels of federal employment in some programs and reductions in others. After an election is an especially opportune time to search for positions, since new congressional members or a new White House administration will need fresh staff. Hiring also is increased at the end of September – the end of the government’s fiscal year. Any leftover money is often used to fill vacancies, so start informational interviewing early to get ahead of the game. Hiring within the federal government is decentralized. Each agency manages its own hiring and is best viewed as a separate employer. The US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) functions as the federal government’s human resource division, regulates hiring practices and provides vacancy information for the entire federal government.
Career Opportunities
Most white collar federal jobs fall under the “General Schedule” or “GS” pay scale. Under this system, jobs are ranked according to level of responsibility and difficulty, and are assigned corresponding “grades” and salaries. College graduates with a four-year degree typically enter the system at GS-5 or GS-7. Master’s level graduates usually enter at a GS-9 or higher, depending upon number of years of work experience. PhD graduates typically enter at GS-ll or higher. A combination of three factors can help potential employees understand where they fall in the GS scale: education, experience, and location. Even if a candidate fall solidly into a specific GS level, there may be room for negotiation along the “steps” within that GS level that depend on these three factors. Some graduates start at the GS-11 or GS-12 rate if they can show prior experience in a specific content area and/or prior federal experience. Lastly, it’s important to note that since the federal government offers opportunities in just about every field and at all levels, working for the federal government can be a great career builder, not simply a career.
Types of Jobs
There are two main types of jobs to consider:
Foreign service
Civil service
Qualifications + Skills
Superior written and oral communication skills
Excellent research and data analysis skills
Demonstrated leadership
Ability to work in a team environment
Strong work ethic and dedication
Sample Employers
Department of Agriculture
Department of Commerce
Department of Defense
Department of Energy
Department of Health and Human Services
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Department of the Interior
Department of Justice
Department of Labor
Department of State
Department of Transportation
Department of the Treasury
Congressional Budget Office
Congressional Research Service
Environmental Protection Agency
Central Intelligence Agency
General Accounting Office
National Security Council
Office of Management and Budget
US Trade Representative
Federal Reserve System
Sample Maxwell Classes
Policy Budgeting
Urban Policy
Managing Individual, Group & Systemic Conflicts
Education Policy
Public Administration and Law
Tax Politics & Policy
Health Economics & Policy
Digital Government
Social Media in the Public Sector
Regulatory Law and Policy
Ethics and Public Policy
Resources
AvueCentral
Making the Difference
Partnership for Public Service
USA JOBS
Related Career Guides
Foreign Service
State and Local Government
Government Relations and Lobbying
PRO TIP: The tried and true method for securing government positions is networking. Despite a rigid civil service competitive process, insider connections and recommendations can weigh heavily on the hiring decision and some agencies even see their internship program as a direct feeder for future full-time offers (OMB, CIA, Treasury, Fed). Integrating yourself into the network can often be the quickest way to employment, therefore it is important to do your homework on which agencies or departments interest you most and start developing contacts.