Where the Jobs Are
The executive branch of the government employs 96 percent of federal civilian employees, excluding U.S. Postal Service workers. The executive branch is composed of the Office of the President, fifteen executive Cabinet departments — including the newly created Department of Homeland Security — and nearly ninety independent agencies.
Alert
At all levels of government, there are periods when no new personnel are hired. This often happens because of budgetary issues or because few employees are retiring and no new hires are needed. If you have taken a civil service test and are on a waiting list when a hiring freeze is enacted, you may have a long wait.
The Office of the President is composed of several offices and councils that assist the president in policy decisions. These include the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which oversees the administration of the federal budget; the National Security Council (NSC), which counsels the president on matters of national defense; and the Council of Economic Advisers, which makes economic policy recommendations.
The Cabinet
The Cabinet consists of the secretaries of the fifteen departments of the executive branch. These departments administer programs with direct influence on basic important aspects of life in the United States, and the secretary is the highest official in each department. Together, the fifteen members of the Cabinet report to the president and act as his personal advisory committee. While the president appoints his Cabinet members, Congress approves these appointments. Here are snapshots of the Cabinet departments:
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) manages the U.S. Armed Forces. The civilian workforce employed by the DOD performs various support activities, such as administering payroll and overseeing public relations.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administers programs to aid U.S. veterans and their families, runs the veterans' hospital system, and operates national cemeteries.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) works to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States. It also administers the country's immigration policies and oversees the U.S. Coast Guard, which used to be part of the Department of Defense.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury regulates banks and other financial institutions, administers the public debt, prints currency, and collects federal income taxes.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) works with state and local governments to prevent crime and ensure public safety against threats both domestic and foreign. It also enforces federal laws, prosecutes cases in federal courts, and runs federal prisons.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture promotes U.S. agriculture domestically and internationally, researches new ways to grow crops and conserve natural resources, ensures safe meat and poultry products, and administers programs including food stamps and school lunches.
The U.S. Department of Interior manages federal lands, including the national parks and forests, manages the Bureau of Indian Affairs, runs hydroelectric power systems, and promotes conservation of natural resources.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services performs health and social science research, assures the safety of drugs and foods other than meat and poultry, and administers Medicare, Medicaid, and other social service programs.
The U.S. Department of Transportation sets national transportation policy, plans and funds the construction of highways and mass transit systems, and regulates railroad, aviation, and maritime operations.
The U.S. Department of Commerce forecasts the weather, charts the oceans, regulates patents and trademarks, conducts the census, and compiles statistics.
The U.S. Department of State oversees the nation's embassies and consulates, issues passports, monitors U.S. interests abroad, and represents the United States before international organizations.
The U.S. Department of Labor enforces laws guaranteeing fair pay, workplace safety, and equal job opportunity, administers unemployment insurance, and regulates pension funds.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) coordinates the national use of energy and oversees the production and disposal of nuclear weapons.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds public housing projects and enforces equal housing laws. It is also involved in the Section 8 program that provides government-subsidized housing for low-income people and families.
The U.S. Department of Education monitors and distributes financial aid to schools and students and prohibits discrimination in education.
Other Agencies
Independent government agencies perform the tasks that fall between the jurisdictions of the executive departments. Some of the better-known agencies include the Peace Corps, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The majority of these agencies employ less than 1,000 workers — some have less than 100 employees — but others are pretty big. The largest independent agencies are the following:
The Social Security Administration issues Social Security numbers, administers the Supplemental Insurance Program, and pays retirement benefits to American workers.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) oversees aviation research and conducts space exploration.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) runs programs to control and reduce pollution of the nation's water, air, and land.
The Tennessee Valley Authority operates the hydroelectric power system in the Tennessee River Valley.
The General Services Administration (GSA) manages and protects federal government property and records.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) maintains confidence in the nation's financial system by insuring bank deposits up to $100,000.
Out of the Office
While it's true that many federal employees work in office buildings, hospitals, or laboratories, a large number can be found outdoors at places like border crossings, airports, shipyards, military bases, construction sites, and national parks. Inspectors or compliance officers visit businesses and worksites to ensure that laws and regulations are obeyed.
The majority of federal employees work full time, often on flexible or “flexi-time” schedules that allow them to have more control over their work schedules. An increasing number of agencies offer telecommuting or “flexi-place” programs, which allow workers to perform some job duties at home.
ssential
Before the FDIC was created in the 1930s, bank runs were a common occurrence in Depression-era America. After the Wall Street crash, banks could run out of money — just like any other business — and depositors could suddenly find that in a matter of minutes, they had lost all of their savings. The FDIC gave people peace of mind and allowed them to once again bank with confidence.
