Whether you’re driven by the desire to help others or just prefer a position outside of the private corporate structure, a career in city government is fulfilling for many people in the field. Working for your city is a way to give back to the community and ensure the safety and happiness of your friends and neighbors. There are tons of different jobs you could hold in municipal government, so let’s take a look at a few different fields that might pique your interest.

Public Works

Being part of the public works department means helping to keep city operations moving smoothly. This department includes things like trash pickup, wastewater management, road repair and more. As a public works employee, you might operate a garbage truck or work with a smoke pump tester to ensure city drainage is working properly. You might even be responsible for repairing potholes. It’s all these little tasks that keep a town moving and prevent bigger problems from occurring.

Police Department

Maybe you’re passionate about keeping people safe. In that case, working as a police officer or higher-ranking officer might be a good career path for you. Police departments are on the city payroll and operate through tax dollars. They not only respond to 911 calls and disturbances, but they also help facilitate fun things in towns like festivals or parades. 

City Finance

If you want to bring your passion for budgets to a city government career, then working in the accounting or finance division would likely be a good spot for you. In this role, you would help manage tax dollars to ensure city employees are paid, contractors are hired and there’s no deficit in the budget. You might also be responsible for extra duties come tax time, depending on how large your department and city are.

Parks and Recreation

This is a great job for someone who wants to make their city better for the children and families that live there. Working in Parks and Recreation encompasses caring for the grounds at each park in town, developing programs for local groups and creating fun spaces for the public to use. Park management might include installing new playgrounds, managing a community pool or developing programs through the community center.

There are tons of different jobs available through the city government fit to match any interest and skill level. So check out your local government job board today to find your next career.