Government and Public Administration

America’s farms and ranches feed the world. The wood from our forests is also in great demand. Agricultural Inspectors help to make sure that everything grown for commercial purposes meets government standards for quality and safety. Inspectors are involved in all aspects of the production process…often examining samples along the way. They also inspect the equipment used in the production; checking to see that it’s clean and in proper working condition view more

Helping to make air travel safer is the job of federal airport screeners. These are federal employees who staff security checkpoints at aviation facilities across the country. They make sure that all airport personnel and travelers are carefully checked before they are allowed access to the concourse areas. Some screeners guards monitor those entering the metal detectors. If a person trips the alarm, he or she will be more closely examined view more

Finding a new job is difficult enough. Having to support yourself while looking for work makes being unemployed all the harder. That’s why the work done by Claims Takers for Unemployment Benefits is so important. They help people get access to funds made available through state unemployment insurance. Working in state unemployment offices, claims takers usually spend their days in phone banks, fielding calls from applicants view more

Coroners are medical detectives. They work with other investigators to find the cause of deaths that are accidental, violent, or unexplained. The coroner is a public official who may be appointed or elected. When a coroner is also a physician, he or she is called a medical examiner. The coroner may visit the scene of the death and confer with law enforcement and public health officials view more

One of the great things about America is that it offers help to its residents in need. There are many government assistance programs and agencies that provide benefits. For example, welfare, social security, public housing and employment and training. Determining who is qualified to receive this assistance is the job of Eligibility Interviewers. An interviewer usually works in an office. There, he or she meets with an applicant view more

When a crisis occurs, whether an act of war or terrorism, a technological emergency such as a nuclear power plant accident or hazardous waste spill, or a natural disaster, someone has to coordinate the response. Emergency Management Specialists work for law enforcement agencies, the military, local, state or the federal government and for private industry, to imagine the worst—and plan for it. When times are good, these specialists prepare emergency plans, provide training, develop warning systems, and run drills view more

In a Democracy, citizens look to elected officials to create or change laws and provide funding for essential services, such as education and roads. Legislators may serve on a city council or town commission; in a state house or senate; or in the United States Congress. They introduce, examine, and vote on bills that determine how taxpayers’ money will be spent, and what laws will govern their community view more

Highways are an essential part of America. All across the country, people use highways to travel to work, for vacations, to visit family, and even just to go shopping. Because of this, our nation’s roads are in constant need of maintenance. Snow, storms, and heavy equipment also add to the burden. Highway maintenance workers keep our nation in gear, by repairing and restoring these roads. These men and women patch damaged pavement, erect guardrails, and establish highway markers to improve safety view more

In a Democracy, citizens look to elected officials to create or change laws and provide funding for essential services, such as education and roads. Legislators may serve on a city council or town commission; in a state house or senate; or in the United States Congress. They introduce, examine, and vote on bills that determine how taxpayers’ money will be spent, and what laws will govern their community view more

The U.S. Postal Service handles more mail than any other postal system in the world. Organizing this vital stream of letters and packages is the responsibility of Postal Service Sorters, Processors, and Machine Operators – also called Mail Processing Clerks. In small post offices, mail may be sorted by hand. In larger facilities, huge electronic letter sorting machines and computer scanning equipment are used view more

Postal mail carriers deliver mail to every business and residence in the country. Routes can cover just a few blocks in a city’s central business district, several miles in small towns or up to one hundred miles in remote, rural areas. Some carriers deliver the mail by foot, others use a vehicle – still others use a combination of the two. Mail carriers may start work at the Post Office as early as 4 AM, organizing the mail for their routes view more

The U.S. Postal Service handles more mail than any other postal service in the world. That makes the typical post office a very busy place. Making sure that everything is operating properly is the responsibility of Postmasters and Superintendents. These senior managers oversee all aspects of the post office. From the mechanical systems that move the mail… …to the personnel that comprise the staff, this is a career that requires solid business, management and interpersonal skills view more

What will the cities of the future look like? And how must today’s cities transform themselves to meet the future’s demands? Answering those questions is the fascinating work of Urban and Regional Planners. They promote the best use of a community’s land and resources for residential, commercial, institutional and recreational purposes. They develop short term, and long term plans to provide for the growth and renewal of all kinds of areas, from rural to urban view more

Water, water, everywhere: but it is safe to use? Water & Waste Treatment Plant Operators treat water so it's safe to drink, while Waste Treatment Plant Operators remove pollutants and other harmful materials from wastewater, making it safe to return to the environment. Water and Waste Treatment Plant Operators read gauges and meters and use computers to make sure that the equipment is operating properly view more