How to Get a Good Government Job in AZ
Interested in getting a government job in Arizona? With some of the best benefits, job security and opportunity for advancement in the workforce today it’s no surprise that many people would like to be employed by the Arizona government.
Fortunately for job seekers, there are numerous AZ government job opportunities at the city, county and state level. They run from basic level positions to highly specialized jobs that require years of training and expertise.
Benefits of Government Jobs in Arizona
One of the most appealing aspects of Arizona government jobs is the benefits. Pay is usually comparable to averages in an industry, however when it comes to the extras like health care insurance and paid time off government jobs are likely to out-do the private sector alternatives.
Arizona government job benefits to take into consideration include:
- Insurance
- Paid time off
- Sick leave
- Job security
- Retirement benefits
Even if pay isn’t as competitive as working for-profit companies, the benefits are a portion of the overall compensation package that you ought to be taking into consideration.
Where to Find Arizona Government Jobs
Despite the recent economic turmoil there are thousands of government job openings waiting to be filled. You simply need to know how to locate them.
There are a number of websites where you can find government job postings and apply for them online. USAJOBS.gov is the official website for finding jobs in the federal government but it also has helpful information and advice on getting a government job . If you’re interested in government jobs within Arizona the Department of Labor sponsor’s the website CareerOneStop.org which supplies links to state-specific job sites. These websites will list both state-wide and local positions.
Applying for a Government Job in Arizona
In many ways applying for a government job is like applying for any other job. However, there are specific requirements to take into consideration.
Citizenship – Nearly all government jobs are available only to U.S. citizens. You will find exceptions, and at the federal level there are agencies that will consider non-citizens. There’s a special hiring process for non-residents and employability requirements that need to be met.
Background checks – You are likely to have a background check done when applying for government jobs in AZ. It’s quite normal for people in government positions to have entry to sensitive information which is why background and drug tests are typically an integral part of the hiring process.
Qualifications – Pay careful attention to the qualifications section of a job posting. Government jobs can be competitive and the government is only hiring highly qualified individuals. There's what’s known as KSAs which are given during the hiring process for many government jobs. KSA means knowledge, skills and abilities.
Age limit – Most government jobs in Arizona are restricted to people 18 years or older.