Where are government jobs located?

I hear this question all the time from people seeking a job with the federal government, but usually it’s in a much more frustrated tone.  Something like, “If the G is supposed to be the country’s biggest employer, would someone PLEASE tell me where all those jobs are???”

This should come as no surprise (I hope!), but the greatest numbers of federal jobs are located in and around the greater Washington DC area.  Nearly all of the major agencies are located inside the beltway, and naturally most of the headquarters or management-related jobs are based here as well.  Now I hate the idea of fighting through rush-hour DC traffic as much as the next guy, but here’s an important point to remember: as long as the District is our nation’s capital, there’s always going to be a need for government employees here.  Relocating to DC is one of the best strategies for getting your foot in the door with the federal government, and if you don’t believe me, then just ask any of the government’s young interns from Georgetown or American University!     

While DC is the biggest point of focus for government job seekers, you shouldn’t rule out the other major US cities either.  Depending on your career specialty, there’s a good chance that similar positions are available with the G in a location near you.  For example, the US Mint has offices in both Denver and Philadelphia.  US Customs agents can be found in any port city.  National Parks can be found in all fifty states, along with positions working with wildlife or the environment.  Get the picture?  I could go on all day, but quite simply, the work is out there, and it’s probably not far from you.

For all you prior service veterans, don’t make the mistake of overlooking your nearby military installations.  These bases couldn’t function without an experienced staff of GS employees to keep the place running when the active duty servicemembers rotate in and out.  Working for a military command is a great way for vets to capitalize on their prior training, but the hiring process can be very competitive.  Military retirees tend to congregate near large bases in order to take advantage of the benefits they’ve earned, so it’s much harder for non-prior service folks to get their foot in the door.

Last, don’t forget that the federal government has many interests, and a lot of them extend around the globe.  Overseas positions are always being advertised on USAJOBS, and gaining cross-cultural experience is a real career builder.  Working for the Peace Corps or USAID would be an extremely challenging experience, but that kind of work is an opportunity that you just can’t get working for any other employer besides the federal government.

This post was a short one, but my main goal was to raise your awareness of the federal government’s footprint, so that hopefully you’ll be able to submit more applications to increase your chances of getting hired.  As you can see, being open to relocation is a huge advantage in searching for your first federal job!