Government Jobs

How to Get a Good Government Job in UT


Interested in getting a government job in Utah? 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 Utah government.  

Fortunately for job seekers, there are many UT government job opportunities at the city, county and state level. They run from basic level positions to highly specialized jobs that demand years of training and expertise.

Benefits of Government Jobs in Utah

One of the most appealing things about Utah government jobs is the benefits. Pay is usually comparable to 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.

Utah government job benefits to consider 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 part of the overall compensation package that you ought to be taking into account.

Where to Find Utah Government Jobs

Despite the recent economic turmoil there are many government job openings waiting to be filled.  You simply 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 Utah 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 Utah

In plenty of different ways applying for a government job is just like applying for any other job. However, there are specific requirements to consider.

Citizenship – Most 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 has to be met.

Background checks – You will probably have a background check done when trying to get government jobs in UT. It’s not unusual for people in government positions to have access 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 looking for highly qualified individuals. There's what’s known as KSAs which are given throughout the hiring process for many government jobs. KSA means knowledge, skills and abilities.

Age limit – Most government jobs in Utah are limited to people 18 years or older.