What is a public servant?

A public servant is someone whose job duties involve meeting the needs of the public. Public servants serve at all levels of government and also work for public agencies and institutions. 

Although their specific roles and responsibilities vary, public servants should have a desire to serve others and skills that allow them to interact positively with the public. 

List of public servants by field

Public servants work in numerous fields, and this list explores job titles by field for easy navigation. Use the examples provided as a starting point for assessing your needs and developing a staffing plan.

Consumer protection

Consumer protection involves developing and enforcing regulations that protect people from financial losses related to purchases they make. Some examples of public servant jobs in this field include:

• Educators: Responsible for informing the public about consumer protection through seminars and information sessions
• Investigators: Specialists who determine the validity of consumer complaints
• Policy writers: Professionals who assist in drafting legislation related to consumer protection
• Researchers: Responsible for compiling information and conducting studies related to trade

Criminal justice

Criminal justice professionals protect people and property, enforce laws and impose sentences on those found guilty of crimes. Here’s a list of some public servants who work in criminal justice:

• Crime scene investigators: Responsible for gathering evidence from crime scenes
• Correctional officers: Tasked with overseeing incarcerated people in jails and prisons
• Detectives: Law enforcement officers who examine evidence, conduct interviews and identify suspects involved in crimes
• Judges: Professionals who oversee criminal trials 
• Police officers: Responsible for issuing citations, making arrests and responding to emergencies
• Public defenders: Criminal defense attorneys who provide free legal representation for lower income citizens
• Public prosecutors: Attorneys who argue the government’s case in criminal trials
• Probation officers: Responsible for monitoring individuals who receive probation as criminal sentences
• Victim services specialists: Professionals who provide support and resources for victims of violent crimes

Education

Public education provides free instruction for school-aged children and adolescents, and adults in some cases. Some examples of public servants who work in education include:

• Elementary teachers: Responsible for educating students from kindergarten to fifth grade
• High school teachers: Responsible for educating students from grades nine through 12
• Special education teachers: Tasked with educating elementary and high school students with disabilities
• ESL teachers: Responsible for teaching English to non-English speakers of all ages
• Principals: Administrators who oversee the day-to-day operations of schools, including implementing policies, managing budgets, supporting staff and ensuring student safety and success.
• Guidance counselors: Professionals who provide career and personal counseling to students
• School psychologists: Licensed psychologists who help diagnose behavioral and mental health issues in public school students

Emergency services

Emergency services respond to crises and manage responses to natural disasters. The following public servant examples relate to the field:

• Emergency medical technicians (EMTs): Responsible for stabilizing patients on-site and transporting them to medical facilities as needed
• Emergency management specialists: Tasked with drafting emergency preparedness plans
• Firefighters: Individuals who extinguish fires and rescue people from burning buildings and other dangerous scenes
• Crisis intervention specialists: Responsible for assisting individuals experiencing mental health crises
• Emergency dispatchers: Professionals who field calls and text messages to emergency response numbers and send first responders to provide assistance

Natural resources management

Natural resources management involves planning for, protecting and maintaining green spaces, parks and other publicly owned lands. Some public servant examples relevant to the field include:

• Environmental specialists: Professionals who conduct research and create plans to address environmental issues
• Fish and game wardens: Responsible for enforcing laws related to boating, hunting and fishing
• Forestry technicians: Individuals who monitor the health of forests and implement plans to manage the effects of inclement weather, fire, pests and disease
• Groundskeepers: Tasked with maintaining lawns and landscaping in parks and other public areas
• Park rangers: Responsible for enforcing park rules and responding to requests for assistance

Public health

Public health professionals promote healthier communities through policies, education programs and direct public services. Some job titles related to the field include:

• Community health workers: Individuals who provide advice and support to people living in communities traditionally underserved by healthcare systems
• Health educators: Professionals who develop and implement educational programs to raise awareness about preventive care, wellness, infection control and disease management
• Hospice nurses: Specialists who work for government agencies that provide end-of-life care to members of the community
• Mental health counselors:  Tasked with helping people cope with and recover from addictions, substance abuse and providing support for those with mental health disorders
• Public health scientists: Experts who conduct research to help inform public health policy

Recreation, arts and history

Governments are often responsible for developing recreational programs and art initiatives that enrich communities. They may also be tasked with preserving and protecting sites of historic and cultural significance. Some public servants who may work in these fields include:

• Activity directors: Management professionals who develop and implement programs that offer educational and recreational activities to the public
• Activity assistants: Individuals who run activity programs
• Curators: Tasked with managing collections and organizing exhibits for publicly owned museums
• Public historians: Professionals who research historic sites, offer educational programs and write reports on the historical value of various buildings, areas and structures
• Tour guides: Responsible for leading people through public buildings, museums, wild lands and historic sites, sharing educational information about the locations

Social services

Social services aim to improve the quality of life of individuals and families through programs related to housing, poverty, food insecurity and other issues. Some examples of public servants who play a role in social services are:

• Clerks: Responsible for processing applications for public assistance programs
• Housing specialists: Tasked with helping individuals procure affordable housing
• Service coordinators: Advocates who help people apply for public services
• Social workers: Licensed individuals who provide support and resources for vulnerable individuals

Transportation

Transportation services encompass everything from maintaining roads and bridges to providing public transportation to communities. This list of public servants includes job titles related to transportation:

• Civil engineers: Professionals who design roads, parking areas and bridges
• CDL drivers: Responsible for operating public buses, access vans and other vehicles used in public transportation
• Bus and truck dispatchers: Specialists who give instructions to and maintain communications with drivers operating public transportation vehicles
• Heavy equipment operators: Responsible for operating cranes, pavers, planers, rollers and other heavy equipment used for road and bridge construction
• Construction managers: Professionals who oversee crews building and repairing roads and bridges
• Construction workers: Tasked with using tools to perform tasks necessary for constructing, maintaining and repairing roadways and bridges

Urban planning and administration

Urban planning helps communities grow and revitalize themselves. It also leads to the development of policies that address concerns like urban sprawl, population decline and climate change. Administration relates to overseeing the efforts of various agencies and departments within a government. Examples of public servants involved in urban planning and administration include:

• City clerks: Individuals who perform clerical tasks like managing records and processing paperwork in city government offices
• City managers: Administrators who supervise and oversee local government employees
• Home inspectors: Responsible for ensuring that newly built homes comply with building codes
• Urban planners: Professionals tasked with developing plans to preserve, expand and revitalize cities
• Surveyors: Responsible for taking measurements to establish property lines and boundaries

Utilities

Public utilities provide electricity, gas, water, sewage, waste management and other essential services to communities. Some job titles related to utilities include:

• Field service technicians: Tasked with making repairs to electric, gas and water lines p>
• Line workers: Specialists who install, replace and repair wires and cables on utility poles
• Mechanical engineers: Professionals who design machines that produce and use power
• Plant operators: Responsible for operating and maintaining the equipment used for treating wastewater and generating power
• Solar installers: Charged with assembling and servicing solar cells used for electricity

Wind turbine technicians: Laborers who install, maintain and repair turbines used for wind power generation