What Is a Public Sector Organization?

Individuals considering a career in the public sector will be interested to know that 80% of people working in public service are happy with their jobs, according to a recent survey of more than 1,100 public sector employees by financial services firm Corebridge Financial.

For those thinking about pursuing an educational path that will lead them toward working in a public service sector such as social services, health care, or education, it can be helpful to know more about what a public sector organization is and the types of careers these organizations offer.

Public Sector Organization Definition

A public sector organization is an entity that a government funds and operates. Organizations in the public sector are government-owned or government-affiliated. They include entities that operate at the local, state, and federal levels.

Public sector organizations operate for the benefit of the public and focus on offering services in areas such as:

• Education
• Health
• Housing
• Infrastructure
• Law and order
• Natural resources
• Public welfare
• Safety
• Security
• Transportation

Unlike organizations in the private sector, organizations in the public sector operate with taxpayer funds, and this means they must be careful stewards of the funds they use. Additionally, while private sector organizations typically have profit-oriented goals, public sector organizations center on objectives such as:

• Maximizing the value of public services
• Maintaining accountability
• Using resources efficiently and effectively

Benefits of Working in the Public Sector

Whether they work as program analysts, social services professionals, or public health officials, people who work for public sector organizations have the opportunity to enjoy several benefits. For example, they can:

• Make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Working for a public sector organization offers a chance to make a contribution to society and help others improve their lives.
• Climb the career ladder. People can begin their career in an entry-level public sector position, and as they acquire experience and expand their expertise, they can progress into supervisory and managerial roles.
• Receive robust employee benefits. Public sector jobs typically come with health insurance, paid vacation, and even a pension.

Types of Public Sector Organizations

Organizations in the public sector encompass an extensive variety of types of entities. They include:

• Local government agencies, such as a city parks agency, a city public works department, or a county health department
• State government agencies, such as a state department of corrections, a state department of insurance, or a state child protective services agency
• Federal government agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Public authorities, which are entities created through statute to serve public interests in a wide array of areas, such as infrastructure, housing, ports, health care, and transportation
• Government corporations, such as the Tennessee Valley Authority or the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae)

Public and private sector organizations often work together in public-private partnerships. These partnerships are formed to create new solutions to address challenges that public sector organizations face and develop new structures for financing public projects.

Careers at Public Sector Organizations

Individuals who want to launch a career in public service can pursue a wide range of roles at public sector organizations. Some examples are described below.

Social and Community Service Manager

Social and community service managers have responsibilities such as:

• Identifying a community’s need for specific services
• Managing community service programs to ensure they meet program objectives
• Finding ways to improve community programs’ effectiveness
• Drafting funding proposals for community programs

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), social and community service managers had a median annual salary of $78,240 as of May 2024. The BLS projects 8% job growth between 2023 and 2033 for the profession, which is double the 4% job growth projected across all occupations.

Social and community service managers need to have related work experience and a bachelor’s degree in a field such as public sector management, social work, or humanities. Some also have a master’s degree such as a Master of Public Administration (MPA).

Supply Chain Manager

Public sector organizations employ supply chain managers to perform duties such as:

• Acquiring and allocating the items the organization needs
• Forecasting the organization’s needs for materials and supplies
• Reviewing logistical operations and identifying ways to improve those operations
• Developing strategies to reduce costs or delivery times

According to the BLS, logisticians, including supply chain managers, had a median annual salary of $80,880 as of May 2024 and are projected to see 19% job growth from 2023 to 2033. Individuals in this field typically have a bachelor’s degree in a field such as logistics, public management, or business as well as work experience in a logistics role.

Operations Manager

Operations managers for public sector organizations perform duties such as:

• Creating and managing operational budgets
• Addressing operational issues as they arise
• Identifying improvements to operational processes
• Recruiting staff

According to the BLS, the median annual salary of general and operational managers was $102,950 as of May 2024. The BLS projects 6% job growth for the role from 2023 to 2033. Operations managers in the public sector must have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field as well as several years of experience in their field, and some also have a master’s degree.

Administrative Services Manager

Administrative services managers oversee one or more of a public sector organization’s office support functions. People in this role have responsibilities such as:

• Managing the organization’s records
• Planning for upgrades to the organization’s office equipment
• Overseeing the distribution of mail
• Recommending improvements to administrative functions

According to the BLS, administrative services managers had a median annual salary of $108,390 as of May 2024 and are expected to see 6% job growth from 2023 to 2033. Administrative services managers typically have a bachelor’s degree in a field related to business or public administration as well as relevant work experience.

Facilities Manager

Facilities managers in the public sector are responsible for overseeing an organization’s buildings, grounds, or large equipment. They perform duties such as:

• Overseeing maintenance of the facilities
• Managing renovation projects
• Monitoring the facilities’ safety operations
• Ensuring the facilities’ compliance with environmental, health, and security requirements

Facilities managers had a median annual salary of $104,690 as of May 2024, according to the BLS. The BLS forecasts 5% job growth for the role from 2023 to 2033. Facilities managers usually have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, and they typically have considerable experience in their field.

Public Sector Organizations Offer Individuals Meaningful Careers

Public sector organizations provide vital services, and the people who work for them have the opportunity to perform fulfilling work that makes a lasting difference.

If you are interested in acquiring the expertise needed to pursue a management career in the public sector, then explore the online Bachelor of Arts in Public Sector Management degree program from Tseng College at California State University, Northridge, to learn how it can help you achieve your career goals. Tailored to working adults who have 60 transferable units, the program prepares students for career advancement in public sector management.

For individuals who are interested in pursuing a graduate degree, Tseng College also offers a Master of Public Administration degree program.

Start working toward your public service career goals today.