You don’t have to join the military or work in Washington D.C. to find these jobs, which provide a measure of stable employment and good benefits. About 9 out of 10 federal jobs are located outside of Washington and more than 50,000 workers are stationed abroad, officials say.

Metropolitan areas with the highest numbers of federal workers include Norfolk-Virginia Beach-Newport News, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Atlanta, San Diego, New York City, Chicago, Salt Lake City, Oklahoma City and Los Angeles.

The federal government’s hiring needs were highlighted recently by the Partnership for Public Service, which seeks to inspire a new generation of public servants and transform the way government works.

In its survey of projected hiring needs titled “Where the Jobs Are: Mission Critical Opportunities for America,” it states the U.S. government will need to fill 193,000 mission critical jobs by 2009, including police officers, investigators, food inspectors, security and prison guards, airport screeners, customs and border patrol, immigration agents and intelligence analysts. In some cases, federal agencies offer recruitment bonuses, retention incentives, relocation incentives and graduate school scholarships. And, they offer student loan repayments – up to $10,000 per year for a total of $60,000 in exchange for at least 3 years of service. 

Moreover, the federal government has a good hiring record when it comes to diversity. About 17.6 percent of workers are African Americans. Jobs are available for individuals with a range of skills, with more than 2,000 separate job categories at 15 cabinet-level agencies, 20 large and 80 small agencies.  

The Partnership for Public Service’s report was based on a survey of 34 federal agencies representing nearly 99 percent of the federal workforce.

Why is the federal government hiring at a time when the economy has started to sputter?

First, a good number of federal workers are baby boomers nearing retirement age.  Nearly one-third of the 1.6 million full-time federal workforce is expected to retire or resign by 2012.

The other driver is the government’s effort to combat terrorism and keep the country safe, the Partnership said. More than 83,000 jobs need to be filled at agencies charged with protecting and securing the nation—47,897 jobs at the Department of Homeland Security and 35,505 jobs at the Department of Defense.

“I can think of no better way to display one’s patriotism than to work for our country. This report confirms that the job opportunities are there. People just need to seize them,” said Max Stier, president of the Partnership for Public Service.  

In addition, the report finds the federal government would need to hire:

• More than 23,000 nurses and nursing assistants, along with physicians, pharmacists and occupational therapists to fill 35,350 medical and public health jobs.

• Biological scientists to address the threat of bioterrorism. The Department of Agriculture projects 2,462 hires and the Department of Homeland Security expects to hire nearly 1,000 workers.

• Transportation security officers for 22,329 jobs at the Department of Homeland Security.

• More than 8,300 contracting experts at the departments of Defense, Homeland Security and other agencies.

• Accountants, tax examiners, auditors, and budget and financial analysts to fill 21,248 jobs at the IRS, Department of Treasury and other agencies.

• IT experts for at least 11,562 positions.

• Attorneys, paralegals and other legal positions to fill 9,691 jobs at the Department of Treasury and other agencies.

• Air traffic controllers to fill 15,004 jobs at the Department of Transportation over the next 10 years.

To find federal job vacancies go to www.USAJOBS.gov, a site that guides you through the process of creating a resume and profiles jobs and employers. http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/

For job seeker tips, check out www.makingthedifference.org, the Partnership’s site for those interested in federal careers.