People employed in this cluster focus on making a positive difference in communities and the country as a whole. They include people who work in government agencies, respond to emergencies, manage and deliver public services, stand up for justice, or defend the nation.
Explore careers by their typical level of education below. Click on a career title to see an occupation profile with average pay and other details, plus links to local training programs that can help you prepare.
High school diploma or less, plus some training
A brief training course or on-the-job experience can help you qualify for these jobs.
Correctional officers
Animal control workers
Parking enforcement workers
Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational workers
Retail loss prevention specialists
Security guards
Short-term certificate or associate’s degree
You can enter these careers with one to two years of training.
Firefighters
Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists
Customs and border protection officers
Police and sheriff's patrol officers
Private detectives and investigators
Court reporters and simultaneous captioners
Paralegals and legal assistants
Bachelor's degree
Earning a four-year degree can qualify you for careers that offer more responsibility and higher pay. Many of these roles include management, planning, or design tasks.
Budget analysts
Probation officers
Fish and game wardens
Forensic science technicians
Intelligence analysts
Graduate degree
Most jobs in these careers require a graduate degree and extensive related experience.
Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators
Judges and magistrates
Judicial law clerks
Lawyers