A career in government services could mean anything from tax assessor to postal worker, and includes opportunities in departments such as police, fire, social services, judicial divisions. There are also opportunities as managers and supervisors, program administrators and clerks.

Local government employs almost four times more service workers than state government, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Chiefs and leaders are often elected, and are often subject to various regulations and residence status.

The federal government is the largest civilian employer in the United States, and that is excluding the Postal Service. The Postal Service, which employs hundreds of thousands, is expected to see a decline in available opportunities due to automation and private postal and package servcies.

When all is said and done, there are many different options for employment in the governemtn services at all levels of government. In addition, there is a wide array of different types of positions actually available to people with all types of skills within the government services.

Educational Requirements

Because the field of government services encompasses so many subfields and specializations, the education requirements are also highly variable. For instance, judges and some other courtroom employees will require a law school education; social workers have a bachelor's and often a master's degree; secretaries may be required only to have a certificate or to pass an examination; police departments often require an associate's degree in police science (some now require a bachelor's degree); and fire fighters have training programs in fire science and prevention.

If you are interested in government services, check to make sure you have the education and/or training necessary for the position you seek.