Government jobs have a reputation for being bureaucratic positions that have been relatively consistent throughout history. Yet, governments often change along with the developments in society and technology. Within the past two decades, however, jobs within this sector have experienced significant adjustments due to digital advancement.

This trend toward relevant adjustments is likely to continue in the immediate future. We’re already seeing the introduction of new tools, priorities, and working mindsets that make change not just inevitable but essential.

Let’s explore some of the areas that the future of work in government jobs is likely to head towards.

Cybersecurity Considerations

The future of government jobs is likely to involve the continued adoption of advanced technology. This can be a positive route to greater efficiency, innovation, and communication. Nevertheless, it’s important to recognize that a reliance on technology presents security vulnerabilities. This is particularly relevant for government positions in which agencies are prime targets and breaches can cause greater damage to public systems.

Therefore, one of the elements we can expect from the future of work in government jobs is a greater focus on cybersecurity and its various forms. Firstly, employees may be expected to be more responsible and vigilant in their individual activities when interacting with government systems. There may even be further restrictions on what types of devices, software, and networks workers can utilize. We’ve already seen various state and federal government departments implement or suggest bans on TikTok for employees’ work devices. 

It is also likely that the future of government jobs will see employees more closely interacting with advanced cybersecurity tools. Various departments and sectors of the government are already using Artificial Intelligence (AI) threat tracking and management systems.

Understanding how to effectively collaborate with these systems and provide them with useful data tends to minimize the negative impact of cybercrime. Therefore, workers that have a good technical knowledge of security systems and even hold AI cybersecurity certifications are likely to be increasingly valuable to government departments.

Mental Wellness

Government jobs require candidates to perform at their peak ability to provide the most benefit for everyone involved. This is becoming less focused on pushing employees to extremes of productivity. Rather, there’s an increasing recognition that government departments have a responsibility to ensure their workers maintain a positive state of mental wellness. This aids productivity, reduces the scope for errors, and enables government departments to retain valuable contributors.

This means that the future of government jobs is likely to involve leaders and employees collaborating on minimizing burnout. The diagnostic criteria of burnout includes a range of symptoms — both mental and physical in nature. Both employees and employers will need to be vigilant of these symptoms of burnout. Importantly, the causes of the condition tend to be specifically rooted in toxic elements of the working culture within an organization that prompt unwellness. Spotting the presence of such issues in government departments will be key to an effective approach.

It will also be wise for employees in government jobs to have access to mental health resources applicable to the challenges they face. Those dealing with high-stress situations or interacting with vulnerable populations may need access to immediate counseling services. In the near future, telemedical therapy appointments may be a standard option to minimize disruption and ensure workers get the support they need when they need it.