Government Careers.

Public health plays a critical role in government and policy at local, state, and federal levels. Ranging from the Boston Public Health Commission all the way to the Department of Homeland Security, public health officials strive to ensure the safety of each one of its citizens. Government ensures this security by creating policies regarding public safety, prevention programs, and building healthcare systems.

Graduates interested in careers in the government have gone on to work as managers at local and state departments of public health, researchers for disease and crisis prevention centers, and lawyers for healthcare industries. Because government organizations hire across disciplines, visit other Researching Public Health Careers sections related to your specific interests.

Common Job Titles/Areas

Emergency Preparedness & Response
  • Disaster Preparedness Specialist
  • Emergency Planner
  • Crisis Response Manager/Coordinator
  • Emergency Preparedness Analyst
Policy, Planning, Government Relations, & Advocacy
  • Health Policy Analyst
  • Legislative Aide/Analyst
  • Public Affairs Specialist
  • Health Strategist
  • Government Affairs
  • Healthcare Lobbyist
Administration
  • Health Services Administrator
  • Health / Community Health Program Manager
  • Program Evaluator
  • Quality Improvement Coordinator
Regulatory/Compliance
  • Regulatory Affairs Specialist
  • Healthcare Compliance Officer
  • Food Safety Inspector
Research & Epidemiology
  • Epidemiologist
  • Data / Infectious Disease Analyst
  • Environmental Scientist
  • Biostatistician
  • Research Analyst
Health Education & Environmental Health
  • Health Educator
  • Health Communications Specialist

Where These Positions Can Be Found

Federal
  • Health & Human Service Departments (HHS)
    • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
      • National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
      • Office of Public Health Data, Surveillance, and Technology
    • National Institute of Health, Office of Disease Prevention & Health Promotion (NIH)
    • Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
    • Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS)
    • Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
    • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
  • Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • Department of Defense – often via military health systems (DoD)
  • United States Public Health Service
State
  • Departments of Health
  • Medicaid Agencies. Depending on the state, these are a part of the state health department or a separate entity within the state government. In MA the medicaid agency is MassHealth.
  • Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) & Managed Care Organizations (MCOs). Here is the full list of ACOs & MCOs in MA.
  • Environmental Health Agencies
Local
  • County and City Health and Environmental Departments. MA has 361 Boards of Health alone, although not all hire paid employees.
  • Community Development Agencies
International
  • United Nations. Must have fluency in a second language.
Research Institutions/Agencies
  • Universities
  • Centers on Emerging Infectious Diseases
  • Social Service Agencies
Consulting Firms

Visit our consulting page if you’re interested in a career in consulting.

Core Competencies & Skills Needed

These vary by sector; be sure to reach the job posting to learn more, but the following are some important skills that pertain to all government roles

  • Ability to think analytically and critically
  • Knowledge of data analysis and utilization of statistics programs and databases
  • Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
  • Ability to think practically and creatively
  • Cultural sensitivity for populations working with and strong ethical decision-making
  • Grant writing
  • Data visualization

Tips For Applying: Federal, State, Local Government Roles

Federal Resume Samples

Federal Government Application Tips

Tailor Your Resume to Federal Standards & Use USAJOBS Language

  • Federal resumes are generally longer and more detailed than a typical resume. Include detailed descriptions of your responsibilities, achievements, and how your experience aligns with the job requirements.
  • Federal agencies use specific terminology to filter applications. Use keywords from the job posting and language found in USAJOBS.gov (such as “public health management,” “healthcare delivery,” etc.).

Ensure you Meet the Qualifications & Submit All Required Documentation:

  • Federal positions have specific qualifications and often require additional documentation. Ensure you meet the exact requirements (education, experience, certifications) and include all requested documents. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
  • Check if roles require licenses, specialized experience, or public health certifications and make sure they’re included in your application.

Use the USAJOBS Resume Builder & Apply Early:

  • Using the USAJOBS resume builder aligns your resume with federal standards and can ensure you don’t miss out on key fields required by the system.
  • Postings can close quickly once they receive a sufficient number of applicants, so apply early.
State Government Application Tips

State-level applications can vary significantly from state to state. Review each job posting carefully to ensure you meet the format and requirements. Pay attention to whether they request a state-specific application form, a narrative on relevant competencies, or specific supplemental questions.

Emphasize local public health knowledge & community impact

  • State-specific health issues or policies (e.g., Medicaid expansion, public health initiatives, local health disparities)
  • Understanding of the unique needs of the population

Showcase versatile skills & policy implementation experience

Local Government Application Tips

Demonstrate adaptability & hands-on problem-solving.

  • Highlight instances where you’ve solved practical problems, improved processes, or taken on varied responsibilities.
  • Show that you’re comfortable with both strategic planning and direct service delivery, as local roles may combine these areas.

Local governments tend to appreciate straightforward, action-oriented language. Address each job requirement in your application.

Community and real-world experience stands out as much as formal qualifications. Go ahead and highlight your experience managing health screenings or vaccination drives.

Salary Expectations

Salaries for positions in the government are based on experience level, area of focus, and location. You can view the BUSPH graduate employment data here. Explore the different certificate salary ranges.

Entry levels on the hill are lower than SPH median salary, however they’re a great jumping off point and can open many doors for your career that can lead to a larger paycheck down the road.

It’s not uncommon internships in the government are unpaid, however it depends on the position and company.

Government Job Boards

  • USA Jobs
  • CampusGov
  • GoGovernment – Partnership for Public Service
  • GovernmentJobs
  • GovLoop
  • State Public Health
Regional Careers
  • APHA – State Public Health Associations
  • Association of State and Territorial Health Officials – ASTHO
  • Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists
  • Directors of Health Promotion and Education
  • National Academy for State Health Policy
  • National Association of Chronic Disease Directors
  • National Association of County and City Health Officials – NACCHO
  • National Association of Local Boards of Health