What’s the Civil Service?

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Civil service is a term commonly used to identify government functions in many different types of government around the world. The term is used in two similar but distinct ways. Almost every nation in the world today has at least one civil service department as part of the overall structure.
A common use of the term “civil service” has to do with the specific arm or branch of the public service that oversees the hiring process. In this application, a specific department will set employment standards that are observed by the other departments that make up the administrative arm of government. It is not unusual for this department to develop and administer all examinations relating to potential employment with the government in question. At the same time, the function can also define and oversee the criteria for increases in merit and other employee benefits.

The second civil service usage is a more general term. When this is the case, the phrase can refer to one of many departments that make up a government. In most cases, this will be a broad application that will include all but military arms departments of government. However, there is some variation in the breadth of application. In some nations, the civil service is defined as applying to all government entities, while in others, the term is understood primarily to focus on departments that engage in clerical or administrative functions.

People who are employed in the public service field are often referred to as civil servants. The Government Official may be an employee of any federal, state or local government. Traditions vary on this point. For example, it is not uncommon for employees of local municipalities in the United States to be referred to as civil servants. In the UK, the term is restricted to civil servants who are regarded as Crown employees, thus excluding city or county employees.

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