Are you interested in politics? Are rules and laws important to you?
The Government and Public Administration Career Cluster focuses on planning and performing governmental functions at the local, state, and federal levels, including governance, national security, foreign service, planning, revenue and taxation, and regulations. This is the largest sector in the U.S. in terms of the number of workers employed.
Careers in this field range from politics to planning and developing affordable housing, public transportation, and recreational areas, as well as managing the preservation of historic buildings and neighborhoods, and dealing with public health, social, and safety issues.
Government and public administration workers help pass and enforce the law. You could work in national, state, or local government. You will find almost every type of occupation within the government, including some jobs that are only found within the government.
For example, you might inspect new or remodeled buildings for safety, help people file the paperwork for a marriage license, or create proposals for urban development.
If you are interested in shaping or protecting the future of your city, state, and country, the Government and Public Administration Career Cluster may be for you. Though there are some areas that are unique to military service, virtually every occupation can be found within the government.
Government and Public Administration relates to planning and performing government functions at the local, state and federal levels, including governance, national security, foreign service, planning, revenue and taxation, and regulations.
The Government and Public Administration career cluster involves national and state government agencies and local government offices, the armed services, and elected offices that run city, county, tribal, state, and national governments.
A primary goal of virtually all careers in public service is to help improve the quality of life and livelihood for the citizens represented, while supporting the betterment of the overall community.
The federal government deliberates and passes laws and administers a large number of programs. Among other roles, its agencies are responsible for strengthening the economy, representing U.S. interests abroad, national security, determining how natural resources are used, taxation, and establishing and enforcing regulations for many industries and products. Federal jobs are influenced by public policy priorities set by the President and Congress.
State and local governments cover similar ground at their respective levels. Citizens elect state and local leaders who determine priorities and make decisions affecting their constituencies.
Activities of state and local government offices include passing laws and ordinances, providing vital services such as public education, police and fire departments and parks, collecting taxes, managing budgets, enforcing laws and ordinances, and protecting the environment.
Quick facts to know:
- About 1.6 million people work in civilian occupations in this cluster.
- There are currently approximately 1.3 million active-duty personnel in the U.S. Armed Forces, who work in more than 800 different jobs.
- Increasing population in many localities, along with growing demand for public services, is fueling higher than average employment growth in this cluster over the next 10 years.
- Regulatory and compliance careers are growing within this cluster, and impact large-scale public issues such as lending practices or anti-corruption work in government.
This career cluster is organized into seven career pathways:
- Governance
- National security
- Foreign service
- Planning
- Revenue and taxation
- Regulation
- Public management and administration
Students headed for government and public administration careers need to learn and practice skills that prepare them for diverse post-high school education and training opportunities, from apprenticeships and two-year college programs to a four-year college and graduate programs.
Government and public administration careers include:
- Elected official (city council, mayor, governor, etc.)
- City manager
- Lobbyist
- Legislative assistant
- Military member (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard)
- Foreign service, diplomatic or consular officer
- Planner
- Census clerk
- Federal aid coordinator
- Tax examiner
- Internal revenue agent or investigator
- Auditor
- Bank examiner
- Election supervisor
- Cargo or border inspector
- Child support officer
- Court administrator
- City, county, or court clerk
- Guardian ad litem
- Agricultural Inspectors
- Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate
- Appraisers of Personal and Business Property
- Aviation Inspectors
- Bioinformatics Technicians
- Compliance Officers
- Construction and Building Inspectors
- Coroners
- Court, Municipal, and License Clerks
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs
- Emergency Management Directors
- Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers
- Financial Examiners
- Government Property Inspectors and Investigators
- Legislators
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
- Occupational Health and Safety Technicians
- Postmasters and Mail Superintendents
- Statistical Assistants
- Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents
- Transportation Inspector
