Career Connections

June 2023

Public Safety, Government, & Human Services

Public Safety Careers

Public safety is a niche area of study that focuses on nurturing and sharpening the skills needed to meet the challenges in public safety structures.

This field is in need of ambitious, results-driven professionals who have the skills needed to make a real difference in the lives of others — skills that are cultivated by pursuing an advanced field of study in public safety administration.

10 PUBLIC SAFETY JOBS:

1. CHIEF SECURITY OFFICER

A CSO is the highest-level executive directly responsible for an organization's entire security function.

2. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR

Emergency management directors prepare plans and procedures for responding to natural disasters or other emergencies. They also help lead the response during and after emergencies.

3. LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

Police officers protect lives and property. Detectives and criminal investigators gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes.

4. EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN

Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics respond to emergency calls, performing medical services and transporting patients to medical facilities.

5. FIREFIGHTER

Firefighters control and put out fires and respond to emergencies where life, property, or the environment is at risk.

6. CORRECTIONAL OFFICER

Correctional officers oversee those who have been arrested and are awaiting trial or who have been sentenced to serve time in jail or prison.

7. SECURITY GUARD

Security guards and gaming surveillance officers patrol and protect property from illegal activity.

8. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY SPECIALIST

Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians collect data on and analyze many types of work environments and work procedures.

9. SOCIAL & COMMUNITY SERVICE MANAGER

Social and community service managers coordinate with social service programs and community organizations.

10. DISPATCHER

Police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers, also called public safety telecommunicators, answer emergency and nonemergency calls.

Human Services Careers

Human services workers care for other people, tending to the psychological, social, and physical needs of individuals and families. They work to improve quality of life and promote safe, healthy communities. These workers can be found in a variety of settings, such as barber shops, spas, daycare centers, mental health centers, emergency shelters, hospitals, colleges and universities, or government agencies.

There are five career pathways in the Human Services Cluster:

1) CONSUMER SERVICES:
Examples of jobs in this pathway: Consumer Credit Counselor; Loan Counselor; Consumer Advocate; Customer Service Representative; Employee Benefits Representative; Hospital Patient Account Representative; Market Researcher; Event Specialist; Inside Sales Representative

2) COUNSELING AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES:
Examples of jobs in this pathway: Clinical/Counseling Psychologist; Sociologist; Career Coach; School Counselor; Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor; Mental Health Counselor; Vocational Rehab Counselor; Employment Counselor; Residential Advisor; Marriage, Child and Family Counselor; Licensed Professional Counselor

3) EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES:
Examples of jobs in this pathway: Childcare Facility Director; Elementary School Counselor; Preschool Teacher; Parent Educator; Nanny; Teacher Assistant; Childcare Assistant; Childcare Worker

4) FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES:
Examples of jobs in this pathway: Community Service Director; Adult Day Care Coordinator; Volunteer Coordinator; Religious Leader; Human Services Worker; Social Services Worker; Leisure Activities Coordinator; Geriatric Service Worker; Emergency and Relief Worker; Community Food or Housing Service Worker

5) PERSONAL CARE SERVICES:
Examples of jobs in this pathway: Barber; Cosmetologist/Hairdresser; Nail Technician/Manicurist; Esthetician/Skin Care Specialist; Funeral Director/Mortician; Personal and Home Care Aide; Spa Attendant; Personal Trainer; Massage Therapist

Government Careers

At the federal, state, and local levels, public sector employees keep the government running.

Jobs in the U.S. government include political careers working for the executive, judicial, and legislative branches of the federal government. At the federal level, government employees can work for the military, the post office, federal law enforcement agencies, and other federal agencies and departments. State and local governments also employ specialists in areas like education, taxation, public works, and civil service.

Thanks to the wide range of jobs available in government, people interested in civil service jobs can find opportunities in a variety of fields. For example, engineers can design public infrastructure and aerospace technology, while healthcare professionals care for veterans.

Government jobs are divided into several categories, depending on the sector in question. Here are some areas where government jobs are available:

1) ADMINISTRATION:

Administrative employees help with the day-to-day operations of the government. They keep the workings of the government organized and effective. Some examples of administrative workers are office clerks and database administrators.

2) SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

The fields of science and engineering in government are very broad and offer various areas for employment. As a scientist, you can work in areas like renewable energy, astronomy, defense, and botany. Government engineering jobs are also plentiful. You can work as an electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, civil engineer, or general engineer with agencies like the Department of Transportation, NASA, and the Department of Energy.

3) EDUCATION, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND SOCIAL SERVICES:

Many government jobs are in the areas of education, medicine, and social work. Taking a job in any of these areas also gives you a chance to improve public life. As a social worker, you create programs that benefit the disadvantaged in society. As an educator, you promote literacy and accelerate creativity. Finally, as a public health professional, you play a role in keeping citizens healthy.

4) COMMERCE AND TECHNOLOGY:

Government has a presence in the commerce and technology sector, so it needs skilled workers in that area. For instance, you could help manage government revenue and expenditure, control resources, and oversee accounting. Government technology-related jobs are for those skilled in information technology, programming, and related fields. This sector of government work will continue to grow as the government increases its input in finance and technology.

5) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND LINGUISTICS:

The U.S. government must maintain relations with other nations so it needs individuals who are skilled in international relations. Linguistics experts who can speak multiple languages are also necessary.