State and local governments provide vital services to their constituents, such as transportation, public safety, healthcare, education, utilities, and courts. Excluding education and hospitals, State and local governments employ about 7.5 million workers, placing them among the largest employers in the economy. Almost two-thirds of these employees work for local governments, such as counties, cities, special districts, and towns.

The Federal Government affects Americans in countless ways. It defends them from foreign aggression, represents their interests abroad, enforces laws, and administers many different programs and agencies. Workers employed by the Federal Government play a vital role in these and many other aspects of American life.

Some Government and Public Administration jobs are appointed positions, some are elected positions, and others are positions where the general public is hired.

The Congress and President determine the Government s payroll budget prior to each fiscal year, which runs from October 1 through September 30 of the following year. Each Presidential administration and Congress have different public policy priorities, resulting in increasing levels of Federal employment in some programs and declines in others.

Due to the wide range of Federal and State jobs, most of the working conditions found in the private sector also are found in the government. Most white-collar employees work in office buildings, hospitals, or laboratories, and most of the blue-collar workforce can be found in warehouses, shipyards, military bases, construction sites, national parks, and national forests. Work environments vary from comfortable and relaxed to hazardous and stressful.