Careers in government, public service, and nonprofit
Fifty-three careers across policy, administration, public safety, social work, community organising, and the institutional roles that operate the public side of society. Each card below carries the typical preparation path, the salary range from entry to senior level, and a short read on what the work actually involves day to day.
53 careers in Government, Public Service & Nonprofit
Access Control Specialist
Associate's Degree · $129,180
Manages and maintains physical and logical access control systems, ensuring security protocols are followed and…
Agricultural Policy Analyst
Master's Degree · $124,720
Analyzes agricultural policies, economic trends, and environmental impacts to advise government agencies,…
Assistant City Manager
Bachelor's Degree · $213,990
Assists the City Manager in overseeing municipal operations, implementing policies, and managing various city…
Assistant County Administrator
Bachelor's Degree · $213,990
Assists the County Administrator in managing and overseeing the daily operations, programs, and services of county…
Associate Pastor
Bachelor's Degree · $60,810
Support the Senior Pastor in leading the congregation, overseeing ministries, and providing spiritual guidance through…
Bishop / Denominational Leader
Master's Degree · $60,810
Leads a diocese, district, or denominational region, overseeing multiple congregations, clergy appointments, doctrinal…
Board Member / Advisor
Bachelor's Degree · $213,990
Provide strategic guidance and oversight to organizations, leveraging extensive experience to advise on critical…
Botanical Garden / Zoo Director
Master's Degree · $105,770
Leads a botanical garden, zoo, or aquarium, overseeing conservation programs, animal/plant care, education,…
Clergy
Master's Degree · $60,810
Conduct religious worship and perform other spiritual functions associated with beliefs and practices of religious…
Community Coordinator
Associate's Degree · $56,730
Foster positive relationships within communities by organizing events, managing communications, and supporting…
Community Organizer
Bachelor's Degree · $56,730
Mobilizes and empowers community members to identify common problems, develop solutions, and advocate for social…
Conflict Resolution Specialist
Bachelor's Degree · $75,530
Facilitate negotiation and conflict resolution through dialogue, helping parties find common ground and mutual…
Counterterrorism Analyst
Bachelor's Degree · $93,790
Analyzes intelligence to identify, assess, and counter terrorist threats. Develops strategies and provides…
Crime Analyst
Bachelor's Degree · $93,790
Analyze crime data and intelligence using statistical methods and GIS tools to identify patterns, trends, and hot…
Cultural Center / Arts Council Director
Bachelor's Degree · $80,390
Leads a community cultural center, arts council, or cultural affairs agency, overseeing arts programming, grants,…
Customs and Border Protection Officer
High School Diploma · $76,210
Customs and border protection officers inspect travellers, luggage, and cargo at airports, seaports, and land border…
Detectives and Criminal Investigator
High School Diploma · $93,790
Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.
Directors, Religious Activities and Education
Bachelor's Degree · $52,100
Coordinate or design programs and conduct outreach to promote the religious education or activities of a denominational…
Fire Inspectors and Investigator
Certificate or Vocational Training · $75,920
Fire inspectors check buildings for code violations, testing sprinklers, exit widths, and electrical panels on behalf…
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detective
High School Diploma · $106,040
A first-line supervisor runs a squad of patrol officers or detectives, assigning cases, reviewing arrest reports, and…
Forensic Science Technician
Certificate or Vocational Training · $72,060
Forensic science technicians test physical evidence from crime scenes in a lab, analysing fibres, fingerprints, and…
Fundraising Manager
Bachelor's Degree · $125,470
Fundraising managers plan donor appeals, write grant proposals, and run events to bring money into nonprofits. They…
Legislative Aide
Bachelor's Degree · $72,110
Assists elected officials by conducting research, managing communications, and supporting legislative processes.
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker
No Formal Education Needed · $33,580
Monitor recreational areas, such as pools, beaches, or ski slopes, to provide assistance and protection to participants.
Marriage and Family Therapist
Master's Degree · $66,940
Diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of…
Meteorological Technician
Associate's Degree · $62,280
Collects, records, and transmits meteorological data, such as temperature, humidity, pressure, and wind speed and…
Military Pilot
Bachelor's Degree · $232,140
Operates military aircraft to perform missions such as combat, reconnaissance, transport, and training. Requires…
Museum Director / CEO (Major Institution)
Master's Degree · $213,990
Leads a major museum, overseeing collections, exhibitions, curatorial staff, fundraising, community engagement, and…
Nonprofit Consultant
Master's Degree · $101,860
Guide non-profit organizations in strategic planning, fundraising, organizational development, and operational…
Performing Arts Organization Director (Symphony / Theater / Ballet)
Bachelor's Degree · $105,770
Leads a performing arts organization such as a symphony orchestra, theater company, or ballet, overseeing artistic…
Physical Security Specialist
Bachelor's Degree · $83,050
Protects an organization's tangible assets, personnel, and facilities by implementing and managing comprehensive…
Police Officer
High School Diploma · $76,210
Enforces laws, responds to emergencies, investigates crimes, patrols communities, and maintains public safety through…
Policy Analyst (Criminal Justice)
Master's Degree · $142,080
Analyzes criminal justice policies, programs, and legislation to provide recommendations for improvement. Conducts…
Private Detectives and Investigator
High School Diploma · $51,220
Private detectives gather evidence for clients such as law firms, insurance companies, and businesses by conducting…
Program Coordinator (Government)
Bachelor's Degree · $102,320
Organizes and oversees government programs, ensuring efficient execution and adherence to policy guidelines.…
Public Policy Analyst
Bachelor's Degree · $142,080
Analyzes complex societal issues, evaluates existing policies, and develops evidence-based recommendations for new…
Retail Loss Prevention Specialist
High School Diploma · $42,540
Retail loss prevention specialists monitor surveillance footage, audit cash handling, and investigate theft by…
School Bus Monitor
High School Diploma · $35,100
A school bus monitor supervises students on daily routes, managing conflicts, counting heads at each stop, and helping…
Senior Pastor / Head Minister (Large Church / Megachurch)
Master's Degree · $60,810
Leads a large church or megachurch congregation, overseeing worship, pastoral care, preaching, staff management, campus…
Ski Patrol Director / Mountain Safety Manager
Associate's Degree · $33,580
Manages ski patrol operations including avalanche mitigation, emergency medical response on slopes, trail safety, lift…
Social Services Agency Director
Master's Degree · $80,390
Leads a social services agency (public or nonprofit), overseeing child welfare, family services, disability services,…
Social Work Assistant
Associate's Degree · $45,930
Social Work Assistants support licensed social workers by providing direct client services, administrative assistance,…
Think Tank Senior Fellow
Doctoral or Professional Degree · $142,080
Conduct in-depth research, analyze policy issues, and contribute to public discourse through publications,…
Transportation Security Screener
High School Diploma · $66,770
Conduct screening of passengers, baggage, or cargo to ensure compliance with Transportation Security Administration…
VP Government Affairs
Master's Degree · $146,910
Develop and execute the organization's government relations strategy by monitoring legislative and regulatory…
Skip Tracer
Associate's Degree · $51,220
Locates individuals who have absconded on debts or legal obligations using various investigative techniques.
AI Policy Analyst
Master's Degree · $142,080
Research and analyse AI policy developments at national and international levels. Produce briefings, white papers, and…
Coroner Medical Examiner Investigator
Master's Degree · $80,730
Investigates deaths to determine cause and manner, often involving forensic examination.
Elections Administrator
Bachelor's Degree · $141,900
Organize and oversee local, state, or national elections, ensuring fair and accurate voting processes.
Emergency Management Director
Bachelor's Degree · $93,330
Plan and coordinate government and community responses to natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and other emergencies.…