The Federal Bureaucracy

Chapter 10The Federal BureaucracyThe Civil Service SystemSection II (Pg. 284-289)Who Are Civil Servants?Only 11% of government workers work in Washington D.C.The rest: FBI agents, forest rangers, air traffic controllers, etc.Over 40 years oldWorked in government for approx. 15 yearsMajority earn between $25,000-$50,000 per year

Who Are Civil Servants?About 30% are members of minority groupsAs opposed to about 22% of private work forceWomen make up 44% of federal workersSame as total workforce30% of all federal employees had family members who also worked for the government

Where do Americas Federal Employees Work?

Origins of Federal ServiceThe Spoils SystemPractice of victorious politicians rewarding their followers with government jobsThis has fostered inefficiency and corruptionPendleton Act (1883)Sets up Civil Service Commission (since replaced by Office of Personnel Management & Merit System Protection BoardCivil Service System Today

The Civil Service System TodayExtremely competitive job marketCivil Service Test (Example)Benefits of Government Service:Less educated make much more as compared to their private sector counterparts (and visa-versa)Medical/Vacation/PensionJob security (difficult to remove an incompetent government employee)Pay ScaleABC News ArticlePlease Mr. PostmanThe ShirellesGirl Group Greats, track 62001Other146840.8