How to Get Work with the Federal Government

There is no larger employer in the world than the United States Government. Positions are available on a near regular basis, despite recent cutbacks. Not only are there opportunities domestically, but employment outside the United States is a possibility on military bases, overseas embassies and various departments of defense and state agencies.

You will have to become familiar with a whole new employment language. This is the federal government, after all. A special occupational classification system exists which determines pay and job grades.


There are four basic types of positions within the federal government:!

• The Career Position: is the one to which most federal workers ultimately subscribe.

• Career–Conditional: This position is of a probationary nature, lasting three years, after which you become eligible for a career classification.

• Term: These are positions filled for a finite period of time. Generally, an agency may be given a project or research study lasting for a set period of time (one, two, three years, for example), after which a report is due.

• Temporary: These positions are less than one year in length and do not carry any special privileges or benefits like health insurance. However, work well done is generally remembered.
  
   

As you can see, these are stepping–stone types of positions. This is the way the federal government works. Within this structure is a pre–programmed format within which one moves slowly up the ranks. There is little room for diversity and flexibility within this framework, but there is a certain amount of stability and security the farther along you go. There is also the chance for part–time work on either a temporary or term basis and that information would be listed along with the posting of the position itself.