Why Work For the Government? Pros of Civil Service Employment

From industry-leading healthcare benefits to excellent retirement plans and greater job stability, the civil service offers some of the best incentives. And the variety of positions that come under the government umbrella means that you have plenty of options to find something you like.

Plus, studies show that government jobs are a lot more secure; in fact, the gap widens during economic downturns and recessions.

With over 2 million civilian employees, the federal government is one of the country’s biggest employers. Meanwhile, state and local governments employ over 7.9 million people—not including hospital and education employees.

Let’s look at some other reasons why working in the civil service might just be the best thing for your career:

The Opportunity To Make A Difference

Needless to say, civil servants impact the lives of every American; they play a critical role in addressing nation’s pressing issues, from homeland security to homelessness—by working for the Department of Homeland Security and NYC Department of Homeless Services, respectively.

So, if you’re passionate about making a difference in thecommunity, civil service jobs are ideal for you! You get to see how your work affects the people you’re serving. And this doesn’t just mean rescuing people from dangerous fires and vehicle crashes, even public school teachers are responsible for educating young minds.

Once such example is of a seven-year veteran working in the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, David Barker, who helped convert over 200 asphalt schoolyards into community playgrounds. Taking in the fruits of his labor, David remarked, “There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing all the parts of the city you’ve affected.”

Comprehensive Medical Coverage

One of the most attractive benefits of government jobs is that they give the employees access to a variety of health plan options that fall under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB). These options include preferred provider organizations (PPO) plans as well as consumer-driven healthcare plans.

Simply put, you have the freedom to opt for a health package that best suits you and your beneficiaries, from high premiums with low-deductible plans to higher deductibles with affordable premium plans. What’s more, differently-abled federal employees—even under the age of 65—are eligible for Medicare coverage.

Generous Retirement Benefits And Pensions

There are only a few careers that offer retirement benefits similar to those found in the government. These retirement plans are protected and covered under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).

Moreover, federal employees also receive a pension on retirement. The amount of pension varies with your service years but the amount is always predictable, which takes the uncertainty out of your retirement plans.

So if you’re interested in applying for a job with flexible working environments, generous time-off benefits and incentive awards, apply for civil service jobs right away! In fact, the NYC Court Officer and NYS Sanitation Worker exams are anticipated for April and late 2020.

We can help you prepare for the exams with in-depth course materials, exam workshops and scheduled classes.

Register today to become a New York State civil service worker!