Police department

Responsible for enforcing laws and responding to emergencies, the police department plays a pivotal role in community safety. In addition to hiring police officers who patrol the community, the police department often hires detectives to handle criminal investigations. Leadership positions, including sergeant, lieutenant, captain and chief positions, may also become available. In addition, the department hires support positions, such as dispatchers, correctional officers and administrative assistants.

Hiring tips

When hiring for police department positions, keep these tips in mind:

• Look for a commitment to upholding laws fairly and without discrimination.
• Appeal to the purpose and satisfaction the positions offer by serving the public.
• Promote your career opportunities at community events, such as police open houses and community outreach activities.
• Offer ride-along opportunities or citizen academies to give job seekers a taste of the field.

Fire department

The fire department is another safety-focused city government office. Not only does the department respond to fires, but it also manages other emergencies and disasters. Fire departments often participate in community outreach programs, such as fire prevention education.

Firefighters make up the bulk of the hiring needs for fire departments. Some departments hire separate EMTs, while others combine the duties into one role. Those team members often move into leadership roles, including lieutenant, captain, assistant chief and fire chief.

Hiring tips

Tips for hiring for the fire department include:

• Host fire station open houses to let interested job seekers see behind the scenes.
• Develop a robust training program that includes ongoing training.
• Promote from within into leadership positions to show candidates they have opportunities for growth.
• Provide mental health resources to help team members handle the emotional toll of the job.

Parks and recreation

The parks and recreation department helps provide a safe, enjoyable community for all residents. This department maintains all public parks and spaces, which might include public pools, sports venues, playgrounds and natural spaces. Many communities feature educational programs, sports leagues, swimming lessons and classes operated through the parks and rec department.

Hiring needs depend on the types of areas the city manages. You often need seasonal groundskeepers to mow and maintain city spaces. If you host classes and sports leagues, you need coaches, teachers and referees. Parks and recs departments often hire program assistants and managers as well as directors for the department.

Hiring tips

Use these tips to fill parks and rec positions:

• Collaborate with local schools and universities with strong programs in recreation, sports management or environmental studies.
• Highlight opportunities for professional development in areas like recreation management, park planning or community engagement.
• Emphasize the opportunity for seasonal and part-time work.
• Provide extra perks, such as free pool passes or shelter house rentals, for employees.

Public school system

The public school system handles the majority of the community’s educational needs. Larger cities might have multiple schools within the city limits, while smaller rural communities often combine several towns into one school district. Hiring demands often focus on teachers, including elementary teachers, subject-specific high school teachers and special teachers for subjects, including music, physical education and art. Other school personnel include administrative assistants, counselors, nurses, assistants and principals.

Hiring tips

School hiring tips include:

• Attend teacher job fairs or college job fairs at universities with strong teacher education programs.
• Accept student teachers into your district and offer them full-time positions when they finish.
• Highlight what makes each school unique, such as a prominent STEM program or extra special education services.
• Provide meaningful staff training.
• Produce branded recruitment materials that reflect the school district’s goals.

Housing services

Some jurisdictions operate housing services departments to help the public with housing needs. These departments typically administer Section 8 rental housing assistance programs to help low-income residents find suitable housing. They might also offer assistance programs for situations, such as emergency repairs and weatherization.

Hiring tips

When filling housing services positions, keep these tips in mind:

• Look for compassionate applicants who want to assist those in need.
• Ensure your new hires use discretion and understand the importance of confidentiality.
• Candidates with experience in housing assistance programs or other human service positions often have the background to handle the position well.

Clerk’s office

The clerk’s office handles administrative services for the municipality. It typically maintains all types of public records, including agendas and recordings for public meetings, licenses, permits and public records requests. The staff typically consists of various clerks who manage different aspects of the recordkeeping process.

Hiring tips

Hiring tips for the clerk’s office include:

• Focus on soft skills, such as organization and attention to detail.
• Ensure candidates understand the importance of confidentiality and following department protocols.
• Consider skills testing for data entry and other key skills.

Public works

The public works department focuses on the infrastructure of the city. This often includes maintaining the sewer system, streets, storm drains and traffic control. In areas with winter weather, the department handles snow and ice removal. The efforts of the public works department keep the community safe and functional. Employees of this department include the workers who complete the maintenance and the team members who manage and plan infrastructure work and changes.

Hiring tips

Some tips for hiring in the public works department include:

• Be upfront in your job description about seasonal work, overtime and inclement weather so job seekers are aware of the job requirements before applying.
• Consider conducting thorough reviews of candidates’ backgrounds and driving records to ensure they can properly and safely operate equipment.
• Consider a physical exam for physically demanding public works jobs.

Human resources

A government department list typically includes human resources to handle hiring for all the other departments. Openings in other city and county government offices typically start in the HR department. The HR team handles posting the vacancies, screening the applicants and communicating with hiring managers and candidates throughout the interview and onboarding process. They also manage new employee paperwork and tracking PTO, leave, disciplinary action and other employee issues.

Hiring tips

To improve your HR hiring for local government offices, follow these tips:

• Look for previous government experience for a better understanding of procedures.
• Ensure candidates understand hiring regulations.
• Ask interview questions to check for unbiased candidates who can implement HR policies fairly.

Health department

Health departments typically operate at the county level with the goal of protecting public health. They help enforce relevant health regulations and educate the public on health and wellness issues, such as taking precautionary measures. Employees typically offer expertise in various types of health and health regulations.

Hiring tips

When hiring for the health department, keep these tips in mind:

• Look for candidates who understand public health concerns and are familiar with relevant regulations.
• Ensure selected candidates support your organization’s values and recommendations for public health and safety.
• Candidates should have an aptitude for educating the public on health-related matters.
• Emphasize any wellness-related benefits you offer, such as health screenings

Code enforcement

The code enforcement office upholds various codes, laws, statutes and ordinances in the jurisdiction. With those duties, the department aims to keep the local area safe. Code enforcement offices inspect various projects and areas, and they respond to reports of code violations.

Hiring tips

Code enforcement hiring tips include:

• Hire applicants with the ability to understand and interpret local codes.
• Ensure candidates can enforce the codes fairly and consistently.