Government Jobs

How to Get a Good Government Job in ND


Interested in getting a government job in North Dakota? With some of the best benefits, job security and chance of advancement in the workforce today it’s no real surprise that many people would like to be employed by the North Dakota government.  

Fortunately for job seekers, there are lots of ND government job opportunities at the city, county and state level. They run from entry level positions to highly specialized jobs which require years of training and expertise.

Benefits of Government Jobs in North Dakota

One of the most appealing things about North Dakota government jobs is the benefits. Pay is usually on par with averages in an industry, however when you are considering the extras like health care insurance and paid time off government jobs are likely to out-do the private sector alternatives.

North Dakota government job benefits to consider include: 

  • Insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Sick leave
  • Job security
  • Retirement benefits

Even if pay isn’t quite as competitive as working for-profit companies, the benefits are a portion of the overall compensation package that you should be taking into consideration.

Where to Find North Dakota Government Jobs

Despite the recent economic turmoil there are many government job openings waiting to be filled.  You just need to know where to find them.

There are many websites where you can find government job postings and apply for them online. USAJOBS.gov is the official website for locating jobs in the federal government and it has helpful information and advice on getting a government job .  If you’re interested in government jobs within North Dakota the Department of Labor sponsor’s the website CareerOneStop.org which provides links to state-specific job sites. These sites will list both state-wide and local positions.

Applying for a Government Job in North Dakota

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 can 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 will probably have a background check done when trying to get government jobs in ND. It’s common for people in government positions to have access to sensitive information which is why background and drug tests are typically a part of the hiring process.

Qualifications – Pay attention to the qualifications section of a job posting. Government jobs can be competitive and the government is only looking for highly qualified individuals. There is what’s known as KSAs which are given during the hiring process for many government jobs. KSA stands for knowledge, skills and abilities.

Age limit – Most government jobs in North Dakota are restricted to people 18 years or older.