This section of GovernmentJobs.org covers information on federal, state, and local government jobs located within the State of California. Because California is a highly populated state, jobs in government have many different functions and responsibilities. If you have an idea of what kind of job you want, there are various opportunities for you to pursue.
California Federal Government Jobs
California jobs with the federal government include some of the most coveted positions the public sector can offer. These are generally well-compensated and offer many benefits. Federal government jobs also offer tremendous potential for personal growth and career development.
What are Federal Government Jobs?
Federal government jobs are positions that the federal government has created to carry out their various functions. Federal government jobs include all positions within the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of the federal government, along with a number of independent agencies.
The federal government has the legal authority to create government positions to carry out its various duties. These positions are generally called federal government jobs. The federal government has created a number of federal jobs that allow employees to carry out its various functions. These jobs include the federal judicial and legislative branches, federal agencies, and government contractors.
Examples of California jobs with the federal government include food inspectors, highway maintenance workers, and census takers. Federal employees usually work in the communities where they live. To become eligible for most federal jobs, you must be U.S. citizen. To qualify for a federal job, you must pass a criminal background check. In most cases, you must have your fingerprints taken and provide a certified copy of your fingerprints. It may take weeks to complete a background investigation and a drug test may be required.
Some of the top job opportunities in California for the federal government include:
• U.S. Marshal – Federal marshals, who handle security for the president, the vice president, the Supreme Court, federal courthouses and other U.S. agencies, are also based in California. The largest U.S. Marshal’s office is in San Diego County.
• United States Coast Guard – California is home to several Coast Guard stations and facilities.
• Federal Bureau of Prisons – The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is responsible for running the nation’s prison system, and also provides medical and psychiatric care. This includes the incarceration of the world’s most dangerous criminals, the long-term treatment of mentally ill offenders and the rehabilitation of released offenders.
• Environmental Protection Agency – The EPA’s main office in California is located in San Francisco.
• United States Forest Service – Major U.S. Forest Service regions are located in California.
• United States Bureau of Reclamation – The California-Colorado river is home to the Hoover Dam and several dams along the Colorado River, all managed by the United States Bureau of Reclamation.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency – FEMA has offices and disaster recovery centers in California.
• Federal Prosecutor – In California, federal prosecutors handle cases at every level of court, from small felony cases to large terrorism and white-collar crime cases. There are about a dozen vacancies in California’s federal courts, including a U.S. Attorney in the Central District of California, which encompasses Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and San Diego Counties.
• Federal Immigration Judge – Immigration judges for the Immigration Court of the United States, the Board of Immigration Appeals, the Executive Office for Immigration Review, and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services oversee the nation’s immigration court system and process the thousands of immigration cases filed annually. The immigration court system includes all of the hearings for an applicant or petitioner and issues final deportation or removal orders in their cases.
• Immigration Lawyer – Immigration lawyers in California may represent clients before an immigration court, with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), a U.S. Department of Justice or Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agency, or a U.S. federal court in matters related to immigration.
• Immigration Paralegal – Paralegals represent an applicant or petitioner in an immigration matter before an immigration court, a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) or DHS agency, or a U.S. federal court. They may do this work in person or by telephone.
• Immigration Paralegal Assistant – A Immigration Paralegal Assistant assists immigration lawyers in representing applicants or petitioners in immigration matters before an immigration court, a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) or DHS agency, or a U.S. federal court.
• Immigration Specialist – Immigration Specialists are employed by an immigration court to investigate and adjudicate cases of petitions to cancel removal and applications for asylum.
• Federal Trial Judge – Trial judges for the federal court system are responsible for deciding whether a case will go to trial. Their decisions often set precedent for other judges in the court system.
• U.S. Court of Appeals Judges – Judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit are appointed for life by the president. They preside over appeals from the federal district courts.
• U.S. Federal District Court Judges – Judges on the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California are appointed for life by the President. They preside over the largest number of federal civil cases.
• Federal Public Defender – The Federal Public Defender provides representation to all defendants who are financially unable to hire an attorney. The office provides legal representation in federal criminal proceedings.
Jobs with California State Agencies and Departments
Many government jobs in California are with state run agencies and departments. These departments are responsible for overseeing or regulating industries such as utilities, banking, healthcare and transportation. Many of the best jobs in California are with state government agencies that provide services for the state of California and its citizens. The top employers in this category are:
- California State Water Resources Control Board
- California Department of Social Services
- California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
- California State University System
- California Highway Patrol
- California Department of Justice
- California Department of Education
- California Department of Public Health
- California Department of Water Resources
- California Department of Motor Vehicles
Local City Government Jobs Within the State of California
If you want to make an impact on your community, a job working in local government in California may be the answer. The term local government refers to California cities, towns, census-designated zones, and other municipalities.
California cities have many jobs for its residents, including administrative, clerical, computer, custodial, engineering, and maintenance positions.
Many of the city’s jobs, including its fire, police, and emergency management departments, are necessary in both small towns and large metropolitan areas. While these departments are essential to the operations of the city, the city also offers many jobs for those looking for more administrative positions. Some of these jobs include human resources, accounting, legal, and information technology. Some city jobs are paid well, some are not, some require a college degree, and others require just a high school diploma.
In California, city employees are compensated with a base pay plus overtime pay. They also offer benefits such as health insurance, pension plans, vacation, sick leave, and more.
Cities around the state offer different jobs in different areas. Cities like Fresno, Stockton, Santa Clara, and Los Angeles offer a wide variety of job opportunities in areas such as business, education, healthcare, law, parks, and more. Some of the jobs that are available include:
- Accountant
- Administrative assistant
- Clerical assistant
- Communications worker
- Custodian
- Dock worker
- Dry cleaner
- Electrician
- Financial officer
- Hospital/medical office worker
- Healthcare assistant
- Janitor
- Law Enforcement
- Librarian
- Manager
- Meeting room manager
- Office manager
- Park ranger
- Police sergeant
- Public relations worker
- Resident aide
- Security guard
- Social worker
- Teacher
- Utility worker
Finding a Government Job in California
Finding a government job in California is no easy task. The job-search process can be frustrating, and many people are having a hard time finding a job, even though they have a solid resume and professional references. However, it is possible to find a great government job in California, whether you’re new to the field or have years of experience.
A well-done resume will help you to get noticed and considered for a government job. For the best opportunities, you should make your resume as professional as possible. Another thing to consider when searching for government jobs in California is your level of experience. Many California government jobs that are available have a minimum requirement of two to four years of professional experience. However, if you have more, make sure to check for special requirements for hiring, and don’t just go for what’s easiest for you.
How to Get a Local Government Job in California
All applicants must have a high school diploma or general education development (GED). They may also have to have some college credits or one year of professional work experience. Some cities require their applicants to have specific degrees and/or certifications. Some cities do not require these types of degrees, but the applicant will most likely be required to have specific skills.
Many cities are currently having open job positions posted on their website. They are usually posted in the job section of the city website. Check the official .gov website for Los Angeles, Sacramento, Oakland, San Diego, or your location.
Some cities are hiring to fill their position while others are hiring for specific departments. Some local governments offer apprenticeships and on-the-job training, which may be required for some jobs. Some cities may offer college tuition or financial assistance.
California Government Job Finding Resources
1. Federal Government – https://www.opm.gov/
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management provides a wide variety of government jobs, including employment-related information, career information, and current government job openings.
2. State of California – https://jobs.ca.gov/
California is one of the leading states in terms of state government jobs. The California Job Bank has a variety of job categories from federal to county and city government jobs for many cities throughout California.
3. Local California Government – https://www.caljobs.ca.gov/
CalJobs contains hundreds of jobs available in both the private and public sector in California. You can search by department, county, or by job category.
4. California Employment Development Department (EDD) – https://edd.ca.gov/
California Employment Development Department (EDD) is the state agency for administering the California Unemployment Insurance program. The mission of the Department is to improve the economic well being of California’s workforce by assisting eligible unemployed workers through the provision of a comprehensive, coordinated, and effective benefits system that is readily accessible and affordable to job seekers and employers. EDD has also set out to assist employers through the development and implementation of state-of-the-art workforce solutions.
5. California Employment Development Department – State Unemployment – https://edd.ca.gov/unemployment/
The Unemployment Insurance (UI) Program is a self-funded, tax-funded, managed benefit program that provides benefits to individuals who are unemployed and seeking work, and who have contributed to the program during the year. In California, UI was developed in 1935 as an alternative to the existing state social service welfare programs, and was administered as a single-occupation benefit for the duration of the Great Depression. Currently, the UI Program is funded by both employer and employee taxes.
6. California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) – https://www.calhr.ca.gov/
The California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) is the agency within the California Department of General Services that provides public assistance services in the areas of eligibility and benefits. CalHR is the largest state social service agency in the nation.