How to Find the Best Federal Government Contract Jobs
Have you ever wondered how individuals or businesses can win government contract jobs? Even if you’re a proactive business owner or a driven entrepreneur.
We are here to support you with all the tips and tricks you need to succeed in government contracting.
Ensure you read along to see the list of some government contract jobs, the steps you should take to win more government contract jobs, and why you work for the government.
The Top Professions for Government Contract Jobs
Government contract jobs are basically notices from federal offices looking to buy things or services.
If you want to do business with the government, you can check out these notices to find opportunities.
They might be about upcoming purchases, proposal requests, contracts awarded, or cases where only one supplier is being considered.
If you’re interested in working for the government, many jobs are available at different levels: federal, local, and state.
Federal government jobs cover a wide range of industries and tasks. Local government jobs are focused on serving your city, county, or community.
State government jobs are similar to local ones but also deal with issues related to the whole state.
Here are a few government jobs you should consider:
1. Treasurer
National average salary: $15.99 per hour
Primary Duties: A treasurer can work at either the city or county level of local government and is either elected by the voting public or appointed by the city manager or city council.
A treasurer’s duties include managing cash flow and revenue, banking on behalf of the agency, overseeing pension investment management, issuing and repaying debt, creating financial reports, and disbursing municipal funds.
2. Firefighter
National average salary: $44,868 per year
Primary Duties: A firefighter can work at either the city or county level of local government and ensure public safety.
And putting out fires and finding and rescuing victims of emergency situations.
Also, driving fire trucks, preparing emergency incident reports, treating injured or sick people, maintaining equipment, and providing public education on fire safety.
3. Aeronautical Engineer
National average salary: $100,788 per year
Primary Duties: Aeronautical engineers work with a team to design aircraft, satellites, missiles, and spacecraft for the federal government.
They also test aerospace creations, assess project proposals, and understand and communicate environmental challenges.
Also, maintaining engineering principles in correspondence with government requirements, maintaining quality standards, inspecting damaged products, and developing new aviation or defense system technologies.
4. Land Surveyor
National average salary: $71,847 per year
Primary Duties: Land surveyors work for cities or counties to ensure they take proper measurements for a variety of reasons.
A land surveyor will prepare sketches and maps, verify data and calculations of complex site measurements, and accurately record survey results.
Also, conduct descriptions of property boundaries, analyze survey records and land titles, and research legal documents for clarification.
5. Database Administrator
National average salary: $93,125 per year
Primary Duties: Database administrators are responsible for maintaining local government databases, securely storing data, and evaluating and managing database software purchases.
They also include modifying existing database software and maintaining and improving database performance.
Plus, informing other local government workers and management of database changes, and ensuring the security of government and public data.
6. Records Clerk
National average salary: $14.77 per hour
Primary Duties: A records clerk working for a state government holds the responsibility of performing data entry.
Completing forms; processing applications; updating file information; archiving files; and destroying files.
It also, helps the public to retrieve information; process, and scan data into a digital database.
Converting forms, reports, and receipts into electronic format; faxing files, and extracting file information from computers.
7. Social Services Assistant
National average salary: $44,950 per year
Primary Duties: Social services assistants and assistant social workers work for the state.
They help keep families updated, provide support to social workers, analyze and assess care plans, interview new clients, create treatment plans, recommend community services, and manage social service information.
They also provide consultations, determine eligibility for services, help clients complete paperwork and apply for assistance programs, monitor progress, and facilitate group activities.
8. Elementary School Teacher
National average salary: $57,015 per year
Primary Duties: The primary duties of an elementary school teacher include teaching a class of students, and effectively implementing the curriculum.
And creating a positive learning environment.
Also, discussing education-related issues with students and parents, attended staff meetings, administered exams, created discipline policies, and supervised students and student teachers.
9. Purchasing Manager
National average salary: $72,504 per year
Primary Duties: Purchasing managers and agents help state governments purchase products, services, and other assets.
Their other duties include evaluating suppliers based on quality and price, learning about various products and services, analyzing financial reports and proposals, and negotiating contracts.
Also, maintaining strict purchasing records, managing staff, determining corrective actions for unacceptable goods or services, monitoring and evaluating current contracts, and reviewing fiscal records.
10. Civil Engineer
National average salary: $82,505 per year
Primary Duties: A civil engineer helps a state government with designing, operating, and maintaining practical construction projects, including buildings, roads, bridges, and tunnels.
Their other duties include submitting permit applications; and complying with local, state, and federal regulations.
Overseeing soil testing and foundation strength; providing cost estimates for projects; designing engineering systems using the software.
Also, surveying and overseeing operations; supervising and communicating with crews and staff; testing building materials, and managing the repair and maintenance of public infrastructure.
11. Mail Carrier
National average salary: $18.95 per hour
Primary Duties: A mail carrier works for the federal government within a local precinct.
They also deliver mail and packages to residences and businesses, create or maintain routes, retrieve and return mail to the post office, and ensure signatures for deliveries when required.
Also, leaving notices for undeliverable packages, providing postal forms when requested, assisting individuals with heavy packages, and operating mail carrier vehicles.
12. Linguist
National average salary: $50,319 per year
Primary Duties: A linguist working for the federal government can work directly with people as a peer translator or in an office setting as a document translator.
The other duties of government linguists include completing language translations and interpretations, transcribing audio or text, and analyzing foreign documents.
Aiding in foreign or international relations, communicating and collaborating with other linguists, and providing translation and interpretation services when requested.
13. FBI Special Agent
National average salary: $98,942 per year
Primary Duties: An FBI special agent works in the criminal justice department at the federal government level.
They also investigate suspected criminals or terrorists, making arrests, executing search warrants, working undercover when needed, and identifying and monitoring organized crime groups.
Also, questioning suspects and witnesses, tracking stolen property, gathering evidence of criminal activities, and investigating public corruption.
14. Economist
National average salary: $99,020 per year
Primary Duties: An economist requires exceptional mathematics, finance, and communication skills to explain economic data to the public.
An economist’s duties include analyzing financial, historical, and economic data, following market trends, and advising the federal government about economic decisions.
Also, understanding the economic impact of regulations and laws, creating economic models and forecasts, creating and presenting technical reports, and contributing to economic journals and publications.
How to Get Government Contract Jobs
One of them is to follow these procedures for government contracts jobs;
1. Become Familiar with the Functions
Ask how government contracts operate. it may appear confusing at the beginning, but believe me, it is possible by mastering the game.
Know all the details about different certifications and regulations that you might be required to follow.
Take, for instance, the case of construction contracts; you must be familiar with regulations such as wage laws and safety rules.
The rules of the game are what will make you stand out and win.
2. Know Your Strength
Find out what you are good at and do the contracts that suit you best. If you are a tech expert, your way to go is IT contracts.
If you are selling green products, you have to look for opportunities that can be availed on sustainability.
It can be done by selling things, providing services, or making sense of projects. But, be consistent with what you’re good at.
Be creative and highlight your distinct abilities to enhance your visibility.
3. Spread the Information
It is essential to let people know that you are willing to take part in government contracts.
Work out a marketing strategy to bring your business to the attention of the agencies and decision-makers in the Government.
Instead of sitting at home and working on your computer, go to events and trade shows related to your industry and talk with people about your work.
Apart from that, do not forget to take advantage of the online platform LinkedIn to reach out to people and let them know you are in the game.
Why Work for the Government?
The government sector might have been one of your options, even if it was at the local, state, or national level.
Here are five compelling reasons why working for the government might appeal to you:
1. Generous Compensation
The Office of U.S. Personnel Management reports that the annual salary of the median federal worker is around $79,000.
The base hourly wage rate was increased from $7.25 to $10.10 for all new government contracts in 2014.
Under the Federal Wage System, a lot of the federal government jobs that are paid salaries by the federal government, are also mandated to be increased once every three years.
2. Better Benefits of Government Jobs
Government employment is often associated with health and dental insurance, and in many cases, providing affordable life insurance.
Another thing you should not forget is that you can come across more retirement pensions for government jobs.
3. Working to Better the Public
The workers of government in different sectors work for the welfare of the people.
They improved people’s living standards by creating jobs within the government and ensuring that all their demands were met.
Working in a government sector for a sector in which you know that you are making your nation or community better is an extremely satisfying career.
4. The Governments are Always Hiring
Though the process of hiring is a permanent one, the government will still be doing this. As funding can be falling in one field, another one can be booming.
Unlike a private corporation, the government will not disappear. Even if you work in one sector or another, you will always be able to find a good job in the government.
5. Job Security
Government jobs provide a sense of security because of the eligibility for permanent appointments in many sectors and government industries.
Many federal jobs offer permanent appointments after three years of consistent work. Many federal, state, and local agencies also consist of ongoing programs that can last indefinitely.
Office clerk, these sometimes overlooked jobs can be just as rewarding as other government fields.
Places You Can Find Government Contracting Opportunities
Here are some great places to find government contract opportunities:
1. Government Websites: Check out sites like the Federal Business Opportunities portal. They list lots of contracts that are up for grabs.
2. Specialized Resources: Use tools and databases made specifically for government contracts. They can help you find opportunities that you might not find otherwise.
3. Industry Publications: Stay updated with magazines and newsletters that focus on your industry. They often announce new contracts and give you helpful tips.
4. Team Up: Think about teaming up with other businesses. This way, you can go after bigger contracts together or find subcontracting gigs. Working as a team can make it easier to tackle large projects.
To become a certified government contractor, you first need to qualify as a small business according to legal standards. After that, you have to register as a government contractor.
Once you’re all set up, you can start searching for opportunities to work directly with the government or as a subcontractor for other contractors.
Government contract jobs offer exciting opportunities for businesses of all sizes.
By understanding the game, focusing on your strengths, spreading the word, and exploring various resources, you can unlock doors to lucrative contracts.
Even if you’re a technology guru, an eco-friendly supplier, or a skilled contractor, there’s a place for you in the world of government contracts.