State Civil Service

State civil service jobs are all the jobs that come under the government sector except for uniformed jobs such as the army, navy, and air force. The jobs include the executive, judicial and legislative sections of the government. Most of the state civil service jobs are merit based and earned after extremely competitive examinations. This is practiced for the lower post in the state civil service. The senior posts such as important agencies and executive positions are given to politically appointed persons. However, at the beginning of the 1800s the state civil service jobs were awarded by the president and could be taken away at any time.

The state civil service is divided into two main categories; the competitive service and the excepted service. The competitive service is where job candidates need to go through rigorous testing in order to be accepted. Almost all state civil service jobs in the executive branch. Except for jobs that are specially exempted from the competitive service by statute, jobs that are nominated by the United Sates Senate, and jobs in the Senior Executive Service. People employed through the competitive service are given a significant amount of rights to protect their positions, while the government maintains its control over the employees.

The excepted service mainly consists of the national security and intelligence areas of the state civil service. The most popular divisions of the excepted service are the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National Security Agency (NSA). The main difference between jobs in the excepted service and those in the competitive service is the lack of the employee’s rights under the excepted service. When it comes to being fired or being disciplined on the job, members of the excepted service are no given letter thirty days ahead and the right to a trial.

The salaries of the state civil service workers tend to be higher than those of the private sector. In addition to their base pay, members of the state civil service receive additional benefits depending on the state they live in. The General Schedule is the pay scale that is used by the executive members of the civil service, whereas the lower positions use a Wage Grade pay scale. Other agencies such as the Federal Reserve System have developed their own pay scale.

The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 created three agencies to monitor the State civil service. Each agency is responsible for different areas. Together they make sure that employees are not treated unfairly, guiding the various agencies within the state civil service, and overlooks the rights of employees of the state civil service. The main cause behind this act was to make sure the state civil service does not encourage incompetency.

Police Civil Service Exam

Police service falls under the category of law enforcement jobs in U.S. civil service. Homeland Security, the Justice, Defense and Treasury departments all fall under the umbrella of law enforcement, which house a host of state employment opportunities. All police officer applicants must take the police civil service exam as the first step to be qualified for police service.

Prior to taking the police civil service exam, applicants have to satisfy the minimum qualifications as specified by the state, such as age, citizenship, education received, and also physical and mental fitness. Applicants who satisfy the minimum requirements become eligible to sit for the examination. The police civil service exam comprises of a written component and an oral component. The exams are offered by municipal civil service agencies in each state in the U.S. Therefore, the examination criteria, subject areas, scores, and expected performance levels may vary from state to state. Candidates who successfully pass the police civil service exam in his/her state are included in the eligibility list, which brings them closer to be instated in a prestigious position as a police officer.

The written section of the police civil service exam basically tests the applicant's competency in spelling, grammar, punctuation, mathematics, logical thinking and reasoning, situational awareness, processing information using charts and graphs and reading comprehension. The oral examination focuses mainly on assessing the candidate's reasoning and judgment skills through scenario based questions.

A candidate is retained in the eligibility list for a period of months, after which he/she has to repeat the process from start. The retention period is again a decision made by the respective state. In addition to police civil service exam scores, candidates who have served full time active duty can be eligible for veterans credit. These extra points add up to the final tally, which determine the candidate's position in the eligibility list. Some states may enforce additional assessments for those who successfully pass the police civil service exam. These additional assessments may include background checks of the candidate, polygraph tests, credit histories and similar aspects.

As in all examination preparation work, the more practice a candidate has, the better his/her chances are in passing the police civil service exam with high scores. Local book stores, as well as online resources have exam practice kits and other study materials available for applicants to prepare well for the police civil service exam. Additionally, it is important for candidates to be vigilant about unorthodox learning avenues. The police civil service exam, tests practical applications of law enforcement in depth. A tactful method of obtaining plenty of practical knowledge is to befriend police officers and making them share knowledge and experience with you. Some police departments allow civilians to ride along with the officers on duty. Making use of opportunities such as these ensures the applicant getting through the police civil service exam with exceptional results.

Louisiana Civil Service

Louisiana civil service is made up of the civil servants employed in the state public service. Louisiana civil service offers career opportunities in the metropolitan and rural area. The state civil servants are entitled to attractive pay, various benefits and professional development.

Louisiana civil service includes state departments, agencies, colleges and universities. Some state departments under the Louisiana civil service are department of public safety, department of economic development, department of social services and department of agriculture and forestry. Louisiana state university, University of Louisiana and Louisiana community and technical college are some colleges and universities under the state civil service.

 Since they are the largest employer in Lousing, they offer a wide variety of employment opportunities. Some of the career opportunities offered in the state service includes jobs in public safety and security, information technology, administration and engineering. There are both permanent and temporary employments in the Louisiana civil service. They also offer part time employment opportunities.

The state civil service benefits include retirement benefits, health and life insurance and deferred compensation program.

The department of civil service is the main personnel agency for Louisiana. They are responsible for the management of human resources in the Louisiana civil service. The civil service commission is a member body that has authority over the administration of the civil service system in Louisiana. They enact civil service rules and regulate civil service activities. Six members of the civil service commission are appointed by the governor while one member is an employee who is elected by the state employees.

Louisiana civil service is governed by the state civil service rules adopted and amended by the state civil service commission. Many Louisiana civil service job s do not require written exams. The number of written civil service exams in Louisiana has been reduced recently. The state service continues to streamline the testing procedures. Some of the state civil service exams include accounting paraprofessional test, engineering aide test, enforcement and protective services test, professional supervisor test and clerical, office and administrative support test. There are study guides available for most of the civil service exams in Louisiana.  For non competitive or shortage jobs, Louisiana state agencies are allowed to hire directly. The hiring is not done through the state civil service in such cases. The state agency may hold their separate tests when hiring directly.


Louisiana civil service has a majority of female employees.  The number of civil service employees in Louisiana was reduced in the 2006 due to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The number of classified states employees has increased since then but is still below at 2005 level. The average salaries of both classified and unclassified employees of the Louisiana civil service have continued to increase over the years.

Civil Service Work

An individual employed and doing work for a government agency is known as civil service work. An example of this would be public school employees, postal service employees, librarians and much more. A person who chooses to do civil service work will receive every benefit the government has to provide for people in the public sector. Such as a brilliant retirement plan, health benefits and other similar perks.

Individuals doing civil service work are notorious for being lethargic; however the situation has changed in the recent years. A person doing civil service work will have competitive salaries with those working in the private sector. Wages would generally increase for those working in the government agency as time passes.  Civil service employees would in general receive an average benefits package of $40,785 per employee. Federal employees would receive a benefit that is four times greater than a worker in the private sector.

Doing civil service work would mean that the people employed would get every public holiday, this is an advantage over working in a private agency. Civil service work would mean (depending on the type of job) that a worker is entitled to get a number of benefits such as caregiver support, credit union membership and child care subsidies. Civil service work has become more competitive as it now gives employees an incentive to work. Individuals might be given alternative work schedules and awards in order to keep them motivated and challenged.

In order to apply for civil service work one has to keep in mind that every applicant is judged on performance and nothing else. Civil service jobs are in plenty and listed on the internet. Each position available has a list of requirements and you should for the least meet the minimum. When applying for a number of jobs, one will need to complete different applications for each job. A limit is not placed upon the number of jobs one can apply for. Hence an applicant can apply for a number of jobs they might be interested in. After the individual has applied for the job there will be a time gap of when you can sit for a test. You can repetitively take different tests, so if you don't earn the job on your first try, there will be other opportunities. If you have fared well in the test you will be scheduled for an interview.

The U.S department of state puts in a colossal amount of effort in order to ensure a balanced quality of life for its civil service employees. One can consider themselves fortunate if they have obtained a job as it would mean that they are entitled to a number of benefits including an excellent retirement plan.

Civil Service Exam Books

Any individual searching for a government job can benefit from civil service exam books no matter if you work in the postal service, military, teaching or law enforcement. Civil service exam books act as guideline for your assessment. You are able to save time with every test because it enables you to be meticulous and well prepared. The candidate is well aware of the subject matter and will not misuse precious time in pondering.

A civil service exam book will assist you in what you study.  It will mainly test your knowledge in grammar, math, reading comprehension, spelling, and vocabulary. A number of civil service examinations are DANTES, CLEP, SAT, AP, CN, PRAXIS, GRE, LSAT. An individual sitting for one of these exams can order civil service exam books online.

The candidate must be well aware that, his/her score on a civil service exam will determine the odds of him/her getting a job. Hence civil service exam books will also provide you with advice on approaching the questions in the best possible manner. The books will also supply you with practice tests and answers along with free access to online practice tests with instant scoring and individualized feedback.

Civil service exam books will help people who are in the process of planning a career in the civil service sector to be sure of the line of work. Civil service exam books, in addition, provide candidates with contact information and job hunting tips to help you land on your desired career path.

There have been a number of reviews on civil service exam books. Some individuals find it enlightening and a perfect method of studying. Some comment that it has assisted them to remember facts that they may have forgotten, whereas other candidates discover that various civil service exam books to be filled with errors making their learning experience more frustrating.

Civil service exam books might cost candidates a lot of money especially if they plan on buying more than one book to enhance their studying experience and to also get a better perspective of the awaiting exam. It is possible to download some civil service exam books as e-books and to find second hand books on the internet. This might be a cost effective method as one can save up on shipping costs.

If one is searching for civil service exam books make sure that you research and order the one with the best reviews and feedbacks. However, keep in mind that though some civil service exam books help certain individuals, it might not necessarily help you. This might make the task of finding a good exam book to be a strenuous process.  Yet a number of websites will aid you to make the best decision.

Civil Service Vacancies

Many people would still probably prefer government sector jobs over private sector ones. However, not everyone is able to get such jobs as demand for jobs in the public sector tends to be very high. Therefore, civil service vacancies don’t usually last for a long time. If you want to be a public servant and if you see such a job vacancy, apply as soon as possible.

What are civil service vacancies? Generally all public servants excluding those employed by the armed forces would fall under this category. You might not be aware that civil service vacancies are not just job vacancies in the federal government structure. Even vacancies at state and local level would fall under this category.

Why is there so much demand for these jobs? There are several reasons for this. Many who want stable, secure jobs always look out for civil service vacancies. In addition you are will receive many benefits even after your retirement. Various health benefits are also available to public servants. In most cases, salaries are not inferior either when compared to the salaries in the private sector. People seek out civil service vacancies due to all these factors. The workload of an average private sector worker could be greater than that of government worker in a similar capacity.

There might be certain disadvantages of being employed by the government as well. Some apply for civil service vacancies with the notion that it is easier to work in the public sector since you won’t be penalized for being inefficient. This idea is completely wrong and many civil servants are quite skilled and are as efficient as private sector workers. Before applying for civil service vacancies you should also be aware that though your job would be more secure than if you were in the private sector, there is no guarantee that you won’t be fired. During certain periods civil servants have been retrenched due to various reasons. Inefficiency, corrupt and illegal practices and deterioration of government finances could lead to contraction in civil service.

You can find civil service vacancies that suit your interests whatever they might be. Whether you are interested in law enforcement, forest conservation, foreign affairs or education, you can find jobs that match with your field of interest, in the public sector. If you apply for civil service vacancies you would have to go through a screening process and would have to sit for an exam. Based on the results and your qualifications, you might or might not be chosen to fill the vacancy in question.

You won’t be able to find all civil service vacancies in one place but there are many websites that could be helpful. You could also get the contact numbers from the ‘blue pages.’ The websites of various government departments could provide information on the civil service vacancies pertaining to the particular department. Keep your eyes and ears open for such opportunities.             

Civil service tests

The Civil service tests are mandatory for some professions and sectors such as Foreign Service, postal service, law enforcement air traffic control, customs, and some secretarial and clerical jobs; however in most government sector jobs civil service tests are not necessary.  A competitive assessment of the applicants back ground, education, and work experience is what is required in 80% of the job vacancies available in the civil service.

Most administrative and secretarial exams have been replaced with what is called “Occupational questionnaires” The Office of Personal Management and various other job posting sites such as  USA jobs announce their vacancies online. Interested candidates may apply to the positions directly. They have to complete the application, a federal style resume- which is a  standardize resume expected of candidates applying for jobs in the US Government, and a questionnaire, all these nay be submitted online with the respective job  agency. When or if the civil service tests are required of the applicant the agency will notify the time and the venue.

Most of these civil service tests pertain to jobs in the clerical and administrative area, Samples of the clerical and other civil service tests are available in The Book of U.S. Government Jobs, there is also in this books examples of tests of reading, vocabulary, arithmetic reasoning etc, however most such exams are now being replaced by the Occupational Questionnaire which measure ones educational and professional experience for the job at hand. Clerical job announcements are usually found in The Admintrative & Clerical GS-300 Job series, you have to identify the clerical job announcements available in your state, city or town before applying online. If civil service tests are required the agency will alert the applicant and you have to bring with you to the test center the following items of a three median No.2 led pencils, eraser, a pen and the forms and documents required of you.

The clerical civil service tests consists of two sections, the civil service tests usually measures clerical aptitude and verbal ability, to pass the test the candidate has to score a minimum of 33 in the verbal ability section and have a combined score of 80 on both sections of verbal clerical aptitude. The score is then converted to a numerical rating which will be the final score of the test. Other than sitting for the exam applicants also have to complete the Occupational Supplement for Clerical Positions (OPM form 1203- A1). With this application the reviewer will have an insight in to the academic and professional qualifications along with ones performance at the exam. A final result will be arrived to with the test and the supplements and notification will be given within five to ten working days.

Civil Service Testing

People who wish to take on jobs as a civil servants need to undergo civil service testing. The test will vary depending on the occupation and the rank that you apply across departments. Before undergoing civil service testing you need to be aware of the procedures and what’s in store for you. Like with an educational exam, civil service testing is based on three types of area.  Civil service testing is in place for you to gain confidence and to confirm if you are able to take on responsibilities and meet expectations that are set.

The three key subject areas in civil service testing comprise of; general knowledge, specific knowledge in relation to qualifications gained and finally job knowledge. The success of passing civil service testing of course depends on how well you have excelled in the three key subject areas.

General knowledge questions are based on basic arithmetic, reading, writing and memory tests. This is almost certain and evident in almost all civil service testing. This will give an insight your proficiency levels for your future employer. Civil service testing is based on the qualifications that you have accumulated and deemed as necessary for the job. This type of civil service testing area will vary depending on the position or department applied. Furthermore it will be based on the level of criteria that is essential for the job. On the other hand, job specific knowledge is also an important part of civil service testing. This aims to bring about a proper understanding of what the job expectations are and how well you could perform.  It also is used to test your understanding of the job description.

Civil service testing is essential and it’s a prerequisite as part of the employment contract that everyone should have successfully passed it. Like wit any examination body, for civil service testing you could obtain sample past papers to practice. Preparing yourself for the exam will increase the chances of you doing well at civil service testing and higher chances of you getting the job. You could take time to read about civil service testing through the Internet.  This will give create some idea as to how civil service testing will turn out to be.

Internet, local library or government institutions will all be able to help you when it comes to preparing for civil service testing. You could purchase online practice guides, books and other resources so that you can prepare yourself in advance.

The most important is that you need to apply for civil service testing so that you can get a place. You will be able to find the dates, time, venue and the cost affiliated to this on government websites. With good study guides and practices, you will be able to sit confidently and do well in your civil service testing.

Civil Service Test Prep

Be it for your Bachelor’s degree or your final Accounting exam, the Internet has helped many prepare for their career. To be almost anything in life, you have to study and be open to new concepts and ideas always.  In order to pursue any career, it is important to study further in your chosen field. Similarly, if one wants to be a civil servant, one must pass a test. Taking a test can be a stressful experience for many. However in this age of technology at our fingertips, there are many ways of engaging in civil service test prep.

Many civil service test prep guides or material are available for download via the Internet. These civil service test prep guides contain sample tests, preparation material from previous years as well as all the subjects and answers one needs to take the test successfully.

The civil service test can be one based on knowledge or one based on skill and ability depending on the post of the civil servant.  Civil service test prep for a test based on knowledge should involve a lot of gathering of knowledge. This can be done through reading material on the subject area or talking to people who are experts in the area. Civil service test prep for a test based on skill and ability is a tad bit difficult. The best way to improve one’s skill and ability in an area is practice. However while skills like typing are easy to master, other skills like preparing written material requires one to be innovative. One way to perfect such a skill is by writing a few paragraphs on a chosen subject and getting others to read it and provide invaluable feedback.

Whatever the format or the content of the test, there are few civil service test prep guidelines anyone can follow. During one’s civil service test prep, it is important not to focus on what might go wrong but instead dwell on good preparation. Also during the entire duration of one’s civil service test prep it is important to maintain a positive attitude. When doing sample tests, make it a point to break down large problems into simpler little ones and then analyze each one separately.  When doing multiple choice sample questions, work your way to the answer using the process of elimination or guess if you are not sure of the right answer. Most importantly when doing sample tests, read the question carefully and learn the art of time management. Perfecting simple techniques such as these is important during one’s civil service test prep.

On the night before one’s civil service test, get a good night’s sleep and eat right. It is also important to prepare the material one needs to take to the test the day before.

Working for the civil service is a great opportunity and is ones for taking if one adheres to simple civil service test prep guidelines.