Find Your Passion
If you'd like a job where you can make a positive difference in the lives of people around you, there are numerous exciting public service career pathways for you to explore. Here's a list of the high-demand career fields we will highlight during this year's expo.
Administration
What is an “administration” department of a city or county? What are some of those positions that are essential to coordinating and supporting the overall work? Join this session to hear from a local city/county administrator, a human resources professional, a risk management specialist and a budget director. These positions each play a critical role in helping all other departments function. Come and learn some interesting details about each of these roles.
Community Development
Who wants to be on the front line of helping to design and build a city? If you have an interest in what all is involved with planning and developing a community, you will be fascinated to learn about careers in this area. We will explore several key positions, such as city planners, permit specialists, and even economic development managers. Get ready to see behind the scenes of how new buildings, neighborhoods, shopping centers, and entertainment districts happen.
Corrections
A county's Department of Corrections is typically responsible for overseeing the incarceration of individuals awaiting trial in a particular jurisdiction. The department generally serves both juvenile populations and adult populations. This department has so many functions that it has often been described as a "city within a city.” You will be inspired in this session as you hear from several individuals who have found a passion and purpose working in corrections.
Courts and Legal
A well-functioning court system is another essential piece of a community. But, what do legal positions look like inside city or county government? How are they different from other legal-related positions in the private sector? Talk directly with a local city prosecutor, court clerk, court administrator and maybe even a judge! Find out how these positions serve the community and why these employees chose to use their talents in the public sector.
Fire/EMS
You see your local fire trucks and ambulances out and about. These first responders serve the community 24/7 by providing critical emergency communications, medical and firefighting services. But, what is it really like to be the one inside that vehicle or on the scene -- responding to emergencies? Join this session to meet employees who serve in three critical roles – firefighter, paramedic and 911 dispatcher. Hear their real-life experiences and bring your own questions to see if this might be your future career.
Human Services
Cities and counties provide a wide variety of support services to the community. This support may look like medical and mental health services available through a local health department, programs that promote wellness and help prevent disease, as well as food and utility assistance to indivdiuals in need. If you have a passion to serve others and positively impact your community, you may find this career area appealing. Talk directly with people working in human services and the career options available.
Information Technology
Some of the most exciting careers in Information Technology (IT) can be found within local city and county governments! IT professionals working in the public sector are on the cutting edge of technology to ensure police, fire, parks, public works and other departments can serve the community in a modern and efficient manner. Join this session to speak directly with IT experts working in software, hardware and cybersecurity. Prepare to be shocked by how fun and rewarding an IT career can be!
Law Enforcement
There is a great need to recruit the next generation of police officers, sheriff deputies and park police officers! These positions serve the public in ways such patrol, forensics, crime prevention, community education and so much more! There are many different jobs within law enforcement – some of which may surprise you! Tune into this session to hear directly from various types of law enforcement officers serving different roles. Find out what motivates them to do what they do and learn what it takes to follow in their footsteps.
Parks and Rec
Do you love the great outdoors? Did you know that you could make a career of it? Local park and recreation departments include careers as diverse as the services they offer. From protecting land and wildlife, to planning recreational programs for young people, to developing and maintaining beautiful outdoor spaces, jobs in parks and rec have something for all outdoor enthusiasts. Join this session to chat with positions like parks director, park biologist, natural resource technician, wellness coordinator and museum curator.
Public Works
Roads, bridges, traffic lights, water, sewer, even GPS – somebody has to design, build and maintain these critical pieces of infrastructure. That somebody could be YOU in the future! Public Works careers range from opportunities right out of high school in street and utility maintenance to city engineers with masters' degrees to everything in between. They are ALL essential careers to ensuring our communities have safe means of transportation, clean water, and a functioning wastewater process. Be part of this session to find out if a rewarding public works career is the path for you!
