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The federal government must hire nearly 193,000 people to fill mission-critical jobs in the next two years, with much of the need in the areas of security and law enforcement, according to a new report by the Partnership for Public Service.

The report, released Tuesday, summarizes the government's most critical hiring needs -- by agency, occupation and skill -- through September 2009. The Partnership surveyed 34 agencies that employ almost 99 percent of all full-time permanent employees.

"This report confirms that job opportunities are there," said Max Stier, president of the Partnership. "People just need to seize them."

The need to replace hundreds of thousands of retiring federal workers over the next five years is one of two key factors driving recruitment, the report stated. Nearly one-third of the government's 1.6 million full-time employees are expected to retire or resign in the next five years, according to the Partnership.

The second key driver is the need to keep Americans safe. The report projected the need to fill 83,000 jobs at the Defense and Homeland Security departments over the next two years, and it noted that there will be a need to fill 62,863 jobs that are specifically related to security and law enforcement over the same period.

The report also cited the need to hire more than 23,000 nurses, 3,462 biological scientists, 22,329 transportation security officers and 8,300 contracting experts.

The Partnership added that the Federal Aviation Administration needs to fill 15,004 air traffic controller positions over the next decade. Labor unions and some lawmakers have expressed concern over the reported drop in controller staffing levels, with the loss being attributed largely to a retirement wave.

The group noted some trends in hiring since a 2005 report, including an increased need for law enforcement officers, information technology specialists and health care workers. The demand for secretaries, administrative assistants and clerks continues to decline, the report said.

The Partnership also highlighted some of the benefits of working in government, including recruitment bonuses, relocation incentives and graduate school scholarships.

Additionally, agencies can offer student loan repayments of up to $10,000 per year for a total of $60,000 in exchange for at least three years of service. The Justice Department is the leading agency for student loan repayments, having granted 3,073 payments totaling more than $27 million in fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2006, the report stated.

The Partnership also highlighted the government's focus on diversity, noting that about 17.6 percent of federal workers are African American, 7.6 percent are Hispanic, 5.2 percent are Asian and 1.9 percent are Native American. Men make up 56 percent and women constitute 44 percent of the federal workforce, the report stated.

The report said about 86 percent of federal jobs are located outside of Washington, D.C., and more than 50,000 are stationed abroad. Areas with the highest numbers of federal workers include Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Atlanta, San Diego, New York City, Chicago, Salt Lake City, Oklahoma City and Los Angeles.

COMMENTS

• I have come up against a wall, I am a Marine Corps Veteran, and a 16yr veteran police officer. I was assigned to an FBI Task Force and decided that I would like to join a Federal Law Enforcement Agency. The problem is I am 37 years old. I have alot of experience and cannot get the job I want because the Federal Government is actually under the impression that it is better to hire a 25 year old kid who's biggest struggle or responsibility has been who is getting the beer on Saturday night. There is a Bill to change the hiring age to 40 from 37 but the bill has been sitting on the desk of some sub-committee for over a year. If the bill H.R. 1258 were to pass it would open hiring to military veteran to the age of 40. Please contact your Congressmen and Congresswomen to support this bill. David Clark Posted June 13, 2008 9:37 PM
• I have a joke for my American brothers and sisters, it's called-Veteran! For a while I thought that title meant something in this country, but the joke is on me. I never would have thought that I would have to beg to get hired by the feds. I spent time in the Marines, and all the jobs form custodian to security guard, I don't qualify for. Could someone kick me in my face for serving my country instead of going to college first! Troy Schley Posted November 11, 2007 6:19 PM
• Here on September 12 the day after 9/11 and six years after the attack I wonder what direction we are taken in federal law enforcement . In January of this year I retired with over 29yrs service in Justice , Tres and DHS/ICE. My observation is that we live in what is called a "Mc Quick" society ..we want it now and it must be young and new . It appears with the mass retirement of federal agents appointed in the 1970's is at hand . Today you have young kids, untested and lack street smarts that are the " new " wonders of management . Management for the most part will be kids that are techcrats ..with little street time . The reality of re employment if that is what you want ...what are your "good old boy/girl contacts . You need a hook you don't have one or never part of a "club " forget about it ! . There is little to no interest to re employ or tap the knowledge , wisdom of those that served and have battle proven quality . I must report its all smoke even in this post 9/11 age in America . My advice ..move on take what you have schooling OJT/education and get non public employment . To all my fellow 1811's we saw much , did much ..take your talents and move on !!!! All the besT !!! Enzo F. Cannizzo Posted September 12, 2007 7:52 AM