Employment in Local Government

The Career Services Division of Southern Canyon College is providing the following information for those
students seeking employment in government positions.

Overview of State and Local Government

The nature of government has changed. Since the 1990s, state and local governments have assumed the
responsibility for developing, implementing, and managing programs that had previously been
administered by the federal government.

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates there are approximately 87,500 local government entities, including
counties, municipalities (cities), townships, school districts, and special districts. Local governments
employ more than three times as many service workers than state government. The majority of local
entity employees are firefighters and law enforcement officers or support workers.

Local Government Employment Opportunities

The employment picture differs with each local government entity—the size of the jurisdiction and
prevailing local laws determine the structure of each organization, the number of people employed, and
the number of hours they work. For example, chief executives of very small towns or cities may work
only part time.

In addition to public safety employees, local governments also employee people in professional,
administrative support, management, business, and financial occupations. These entities employ people
in many of the same types of jobs found in most other types of organizations.

Types of Positions

Transportation
Public Safety
Health Care
Education
Utilities
Courts
Highway Construction and Maintenance
Tax Collection

Education Required

The education and experience level needed for jobs in local government will vary widely depending on
the specific position. A brief summary is included in this document. Contact Career Services for more
specific information.

Chief Executives

Chief executives often have a master’s degree in Public Administration.

Urban and Regional Planners

Urban or regional planners are generally required to have at least a Bachelor’s degree in urban planning.

Public Safety

Most applicants for firefighting and law enforcement positions must have a high school education and
pass a civil service examination. Candidates for police officer position are encouraged to have college
coursework. Community colleges offer comprehensive programs in law enforcement and criminal justice
that can be an excellent starting point for a career in law enforcement.

Although employment growth in the local government sector is expected to grow more slowly over the
next decade than in previous years, this is a large and vibrant sector for United States employment and
offers numerous opportunities for citizens in all education and experience brackets.