Civil Service Defined
The definition of the term Civil Service is considered to maintain two separate and individual meanings and implications. On one hand, Civil Service may refer to the hiring process latent within the realm of employment; on the other hand, Civil Service – in conjunction to departments of Civil Services – may represent the classification given to individuals employed by a government or ruling body.
Civil Service Hiring Practices
Employment practices with regard to the protocol set forth by a methodology of Civil Service are conducted in terms of designating and mandating the hiring of prospective governmental employees in conjunction with the implementation of an examination or test substantiating the ability latent within an applicant:
Civil Service exams institute the structuring of employment-based hierarchy with regard to both the grade of pay, as well as occupational responsibility in accordance to the results of individual Civil Service examinations; these examinations are oftentimes referred to through the usage of the catchall colloquialism ‘Civil Service Exams’
The subject matter present on Civil Service examinations is liable for adjustment as per the evolution of inherent job requirements and job responsibilities
What are Civil Services?
The definition of Civil Service that does not involve the merit-based substantiation of governmental employment is commonly classified in accordance with its corollary catchall term - Civil Services. The classification of Civil Services will typically vary on a locational basis; while certain governmental departments belonging to certain countries or nations may be classified as Civil Services, those same classifications may not be applicable in peripheral nations.
Civil Service in the United States of America
Although the specification of Civil Services varies on the basis of country and gubernatorial structure, employment classified as Civil Services positions within the United States are largely classified as governmental employees, which typically excludes the United States Military; however, some individuals may unofficially categorize certain classifications of the United States Military as Civil Services – the classification is rarely uniform. Yet, the following governmental departments within the United States of America are officially recognized as Civil Services:
Executive Civil Services
The President of the United States
The Whitehouse Staff
The National Security Administration
The Office of Drug Control Policy
The Office of Science and Technologies
The Office of Veteran Affairs
The Department of Defense
The Department of Homeland Security
The Department of Treasury
The Department of Justice
The Department of Commerce
The Department of Education
The Department of Labor
The State Department
The Department of Energy
The Department of Housing and Development
The Department of Health and Human Services
The Department of the Interior
Independent Civil Services
The United States Postal Service
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration
The Central Intelligence Agency
The Environmental Protection Agency
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Office of Personnel Management
The Small Business Administration
The Social Security Administration
United States Civil Service Commission
In 1883 - following the assassination of President James A. Garfield, which occurred at the hands of Charles Guiteau – legislative reform was enacted with regard to the appointment and hiring processes regarding Civil Service employment. Charles Guiteau was rejected from his attempt to be employed under a Civil Service position under the Presidency of James Garfield; in response, he shot and killed President Garfield as a means of punishment for his rejected application. The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act enforced the following:
Civil Service examinations were required by all applicants
Civil Service employees were prohibited from the appointment, as well as the termination mandated by elected officials; the tactic was enacted in order to prevent similar recourse undertaken by Charles Guiteau
NEXT: Civil Service Exam