What does it mean to work for a government agency?
Robert Miller
Updated on April 04, 2026
When someone says they are a civil service employee or a civil servant, it means that person works for a government agency, whether it be federal, state, or local. Each government entity is responsible for its own employment system, takes care of its own personnel needs, and engages in different hiring practices.
How do you negotiate salary for federal job offers?
Use these tips and resources to bolster your negotiating position:
- Review Government Pay Scales. A good place to start your research is the US Office of Personnel Management, where you’ll find the federal government’s General Schedule Pay Scale.
- Ask for a Higher Step Within Your Grade.
- Don’t Forget the Perks.
How long does it take to get tentative offer from federal government?
Since the details of the tentative job offer are “tentative” you will want to accept the tentative offer within the allotted time. Usually, you are allowed 2-3 days to accept.
Can you negotiate government job offer?
A common misconception is that federal job offers are non-negotiable. But just like in other industries, you can ask for changes to your offer.
Is working for the post office a federal job?
As a postal worker, you must follow federal rules, and you receive federal benefits. However, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t consider postal workers federal employees because the postal service is a quasi-federal agency.
Can you negotiate a GS salary?
It is possible to negotiate a higher federal salary, provided you have some basic information about government pay scales. Each government job has a salary range defined by steps within a pay grade. If the salary range is $43,000 to $50,000, you should have no problem getting $44,000 or even $48,000 for this job.
Do GS employees get bonuses?
Bonuses: Recruitment bonuses are cash incentives up to 25 percent of base pay given to new employees for jobs that have been difficult to fill in the past. Relocation bonuses up to 25 percent may be paid for current Federal employees to relocate to a new commuting area. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.
Where can I find a job in the federal government?
There are job openings in federal agencies across the country. If you’re interested in one, visit USAJOBS.gov. It’s the official job site for the federal government. There, you can: Learn how the government hires people. Search for jobs, including ones in high demand.
Are there any government agencies where you can work from home?
Pilot programs by U.S. agencies have shown that working from home is a viable option, which makes government agencies with remote jobs a great resource to consider if you want to work remotely.
Are there any government jobs that are flexible?
Federal government jobs with flexible work options are available across multiple agencies. Several of these flexible agencies also made the list of “ Best Places to Work in the Federal Government ” in 2018. Here are 15 government agencies known to hire for remote jobs. 1. NASA
What are the benefits of working in the federal government?
Federal benefits, including health insurance, retirement and vacation, can be superior to other sectors. Wherever you want to call home, federal jobs likely are available. Nearly 85 percent of federal government jobs are outside of the Washington, D.C., area, and more than 50,000 federal government employees work abroad.