Public service is something, such as health care or the removal of waste, organized by a government or official body in order to benefit all members of a society or community. It is often regarded as a moral imperative to provide these services because they are vital to human life, and because private organizations usually seek profits rather than social good.
Civil servants are staff working for the government, at national or local level, who are selected through competition and have permanent tenure. They have expertise in the specific policy area they work on, and are expected to advise, warn and assist those responsible for state policy. In many countries, entry requirements for senior civil servants emphasize experience in the technical fields of accountancy, economics, medicine and engineering. In others, legal training is also important.
The modern concept of the civil service dates back to 17th and 18th century Prussia, when officials were hired through “spoils,” and the process of selection was formalized. Since then, the system has been adopted in most countries. In the United States, many state and local governments have competitive civil service systems, modeled after the federal system to some degree.
The 3.5 million federal employees are highly skilled and highly paid, and they enjoy first-class benefits. Federal agencies are seeking to restore trust in the workforce and attract younger people, but the job market remains tough. It is critical to recruit talent with energy, enthusiasm and empathy for other people.