Public service is any activity that serves a community, whether the work is done for a government agency or non-profit organization. It can be as varied as the people who work for it, ranging from policy makers to firefighters and rescue workers. Those who choose to work in this arena often have a strong sense of social responsibility and an underlying belief that all of us need the help of our neighbors at some point in our lives.
Unlike the private sector, which produces goods, most of the services provided by civil servants are not tangible or directly marketable commodities. Rather, they are services that meet the aggregate needs of members of a society and can be provided by public utilities or by privately owned companies that are subject to heightened regulation for political reasons.
The civil service has its origins in the 19th century with the Northcote-Trevelyan reforms outlined by Charles Trevelyan and later reinforced by the Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883. The act established examinations, a career structure, a merit system, protections against political firings and a Civil Service Commission to provide oversight. It transformed the federal government into a major employer and efficient producer of essential goods and services.
Today, the civil service remains as important as ever. While the primary focus is still on providing reliable services, there is a growing emphasis on changing policies and programs that lead to better outcomes for all people. This ranges from responding to natural disasters to ensuring that medicines and food are safe for consumption.