Clerical Jobs at Federal Employers
Apart from offering competitive salaries and excellent benefits, federal jobs also offer the chance to make a difference, which is said to be an attractive feature. They also appreciate the security of employment.
To get a federal job, applicants need to craft resumes that match the qualifications listed in the specific job announcement. To do this, emphasize your volunteer, academic and work experiences that bolster your skills.
Blue-collar
The federal government employs a diverse workforce. They perform a broad range of duties that help the government operate and provide services to citizens. The government divides its employees into categories based on their job duties. They include technical, administrative and professional positions.
Blue-collar positions typically require a greater amount of manual labor than white-collar jobs. Some jobs require a degree or certification from a vocational school. Many of these jobs require specialization and use heavy machinery. Blue-collar employees could also be exposed to dangerous substances or animals. The term "blue collar" has been traditionally associated with employees with lower incomes and is used to denote their position from the white collar professionals.
Traditionally blue-collar workers worked in fields such as mining, manufacturing, and construction. Their work is usually done in an outdoor environment, and they are likely to wear overalls or blue jeans since they can hide dirt. They must also be able stand for long periods of time. They typically earn hourly wages while their white-collar counterparts earn annual salaries.
The federal government uses a number of different methods to classify its employees and determine their pay which includes the federal pay grade system. Each position is assigned a specific pay grade based on the duties and qualifications required for the position. Federal employees are eligible to receive "step increases" every 3 to 5 years, which entail the possibility of a modest increase in salary.
Pophal says that although some people opt to work for the government because of the security and benefits, the vast size of the federal bureaucracy may pose challenges for certain. The challenges are exacerbated by a shaky budget.
Clerical
Clerical workers are responsible for the everyday office tasks that keep businesses running smoothly. Answering the phone, filing documents, and entering data are all part of their job. They also assist with scheduling appointments and processing requests for information. They are therefore essential in nearly every industry.
Most often, clerical positions are entry-level positions. Candidates might be required to take short courses which introduce them to basic office procedures and equipment. This may include learning to use a PC and other software that is relevant. Some employees in the clerical field must undergo a security test to ensure they're not a threat to national security.
In general, clerical staff have little to no supervisory authority. They are required to follow the directives of a senior employee. Some clerical jobs do offer opportunities for advancement into administrative roles such as executive assistants and secretaries. Other positions, such as those at insurance agencies or financial institutions are more likely to be managerial-oriented.
While clerical jobs are generally considered entry-level jobs, candidates for these roles must be detail-oriented. They should be able to read resumes quickly and find any errors or inconsistencies. They should also be able to explain these details in more depth. Some clerical employees need to know how to use company databases or operate them. Other employees in the clerical field may have to travel or manage mail.
Many clerical employees are employed in a variety of industries. They can be found in the health care industry as well as finance and human resources. They can help with tax and payroll accounting, documentation or making hiring and firing decisions. Certain clerical employees are entitled to additional benefits in addition to the benefits provided by their employers.
Administrative
The federal government provides its employees with an outstanding compensation and benefits package. The benefits include life insurance, health insurance and retirement plans. They also permit their employees to take sick and annual leave as needed. Employees are able to use their accrued annual leave and sick leave for themselves or family members. However, the length of time available is contingent upon the length of service.
Administrative employees are exempt from the Federal minimum wage and overtime pay provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). However, they must be paid at least their regular rate of pay for any hours worked in excess of 40 per week. They may be required to perform tasks directly related to management or general business operations of the client or customer of the employer, including providing advice or consulting services. This includes auditing, tax and accounting work as well as computer and information technology support activities, like managing databases, data management, security, and web-based customer service.
Certain federal employees of the administrative branch are eligible for a variety of work schedule flexibility options such as part-time and job sharing. These arrangements allow employees to modify their work schedules to suit their personal and professional requirements. Federal employees also receive holiday pay. Employees also have the option of carrying over 30 days of vacation or take leave from one year to the next.
In the event of a health crisis that is pandemic, administrative managers are critical to an agency's ability to accomplish its mission. This material can be used by managers to gain a quick overview on what to do in the event of a crisis. It covers what information to communicate to employees and what procedures are in place for closing or dismissal outside of Washington DC.
Professional
In offices all over the nation, the federal government hires people with diverse professional skills. These jobs require an extensive background check and drug test as well as security clearance for many jobs. The Federal Government pays well and provides excellent benefits to its employees, including low-cost insurance policies, generous sick and vacation days and flexible working hours. The Federal Government offers pension plans that include an indexed pension that is uncommon for private sector employers.
The majority of technical and professional posts within the Federal Government are paid on the General Schedule pay scale, which includes 15 grades from GS-1 to GS-15, and 10 steps within each grade. Senior Executive Service is the highest-level position in the Federal Government.
In fela lawyers of situations federal agencies can choose to make promotions, demote or reassign employees who are career-conditional or on a career path. They can also offer temporary promotions to finish projects work, fill temporary vacancies or to meet other temporary requirements. Promotions to higher pay grades usually are handled through the career ladder or merit-based promotion process.
The Federal Government faces challenges, as do all organizations. Insufficient funding is a frequent issue, which can limit the capacity of an agency to improve equipment or promote the development of new ideas. The bureaucratic nature in the Federal Government can also be a challenge, as it can cause lengthy and frustrating delays in processing paperwork or bringing on new employees. The sheer size of the Federal Government can be intimidating for a new employee. Employees must be prepared to spend a substantial amount of time navigating complex administrative procedures and figuring out how to navigate through the numerous departments and offices.
Technical
Federal agencies are seeking tech-savvy employees. Since the beginning of 2023, Handshake has seen a 5x increase in applications for federal tech jobs. If you are recently graduated from college or have strong technical skills and experience, then working for the government may be the right choice for you. Many federal employees are drawn by the opportunity to "serve" others by utilizing their technical expertise to help our country. Many federal employees say this is a new way of looking at work.
Additionally, many people who are looking to work for the federal government are drawn to its stability and competitive pay packages. According to the Partnership for Public Service (PPS) federal employees have more security in their jobs and generous vacation, personal, and sick leave policies than private sector employers. In addition, the federal government is a leader in implementing innovative workplace practices such as the use of telework, which has become an increasingly popular option for some employees.
The federal workforce is smaller than the workforces of most US industries, but it is larger than certain sectors, such as mining and utilities. It is similar in size to the information (publishing broadcasting, telecommunications and publishing) industry which employs more than 3 million workers.
To help recruit and hire top candidates, the federal government is exploring new methods to streamline the hiring process and make it more accessible to tech-savvy professionals. This includes launching a searchable online catalog of positions in technology at each agency, as well as expanding the use of expert assessments on subject matter to identify groups of talented candidates and prequalify them for specific roles. This can lead to an efficient and equitable hiring process, while also reducing time for the agency and its stakeholders.