Best Places to Work in the Federal Governement

Additonal Resources

Where the Jobs Are

Where the Jobs AreDesigned to help a broad audience of job seekers, policy makers and agency leaders, Where the Jobs Are has identified nearly 273,000 anticipated mission-critical employment opportunities in the federal government from Oct. 1, 2009 through Sept. 30, 2012. The jobs involve numerous disciplines, are at locations throughout the country and overseas, and have been described by the federal agencies as essential to carrying out their service to the American people.

This job survey, conducted by the Partnership for Public Service with support from Aon and Monster Government Solutions, covers 35 federal agencies employing at least 1,000 full-time, permanent workers. All of the survey participants except the Government Accountability Office, a congressional entity, are in the executive branch.

To better inform potential job applicants about available opportunities, Where the Jobs Are summarizes the occupational categories where hiring will occur, identifies the hiring agencies, and projects the number of jobs to be filled in each category. In addition, each agency is profiled with information on its mission, employee demographics, hiring priorities and recruitment programs, employment and retention incentives.

The survey also can be extremely useful to agencies, providing managers with a broad perspective on government-wide hiring needs as well as relevant information that will enhance their workforce planning for mission-critical jobs. More importantly, the survey offers an opportunity for agencies with similar hiring needs to pool their resources and work together in the recruitment, intake and training of new employees.

Making the Difference

The Partnership for Public Service's Making the Difference website has free resources, including tips for using USAJOBS.gov and information about student loan repayment and security clearances.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting Government Jobs

Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting Government JobsThe Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting Government Jobs, available at bookstores nationwide and through online book outlets, was written by the Partnership for Public Service staff in 2010 to help job seekers navigate the complex federal hiring process. Whether you’re a student looking for an internship, a recent graduate, a mid-career professional looking for a change, or a retiree looking to return to the workforce, this book will provide invaluable information about the needs of government agencies and how to go about applying for federal employment.

The Best Places to Work rankings — the most comprehensive and authoritative rating of employee satisfaction and commitment in the federal government — are produced by the Partnership for Public Service and American University's Institute for the Study of Public Policy Implementation (ISPPI).

Complete List of Agencies and Subcomponents