Federal Agencies
Explore the agencies that power the federal government. Learn what they do, who they hire, and how to join them.
NASA
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NASA explores space and advances aeronautics research. From the International Space Station to the Artemis lunar program, NASA pushes the boundaries of human knowledge and technology. With roughly 18,000 civil servants across 10 centers, it's one of the most sought-after employers in the federal government.
DHS
Department of Homeland Security
DHS protects the United States from terrorism and other threats. It encompasses agencies like FEMA, TSA, Coast Guard, ICE, Secret Service, and CISA. With over 240,000 employees, it's the third-largest cabinet department — and one of the largest federal employers.
VA
Department of Veterans Affairs
The VA is the largest civilian employer in the federal government, with over 400,000 employees. It operates the nation's largest integrated healthcare system, with 1,298 healthcare facilities serving 9 million enrolled veterans. If you're in healthcare, the VA is one of the best places to work.
DOD
Department of Defense
DOD is the nation's largest employer, period. With over 750,000 civilian employees across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and dozens of defense agencies, it offers more job variety than any other organization. From engineers at Army Corps to analysts at the Pentagon, DOD has it all.
DOJ
Department of Justice
DOJ enforces federal law and administers justice. It includes the FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals, Bureau of Prisons, and the U.S. Attorneys' offices. With about 115,000 employees, it's the go-to agency for legal careers, law enforcement, and criminal justice.
EPA
Environmental Protection Agency
EPA protects human health and the environment. Its 15,000 scientists, engineers, and policy experts work on everything from air and water quality to chemical safety and climate change. EPA is headquartered in DC with 10 regional offices and major research centers.
DOE
Department of Energy
DOE manages the nation's nuclear stockpile, oversees 17 national laboratories, and leads research in energy, nuclear security, and advanced computing. With about 14,000 federal employees and over 100,000 contractor employees at the labs, DOE is a science powerhouse.
DOI
Department of the Interior
DOI manages 500 million acres of public land — about one-fifth of the entire United States. It includes the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Geological Survey. If you want to work outdoors, DOI is your agency.
DOC
Department of Commerce
DOC promotes economic growth and innovation. It includes NOAA (weather and ocean science), Census Bureau (national statistics), Patent and Trademark Office, and NIST (measurement standards). About 46,000 employees work across a surprisingly diverse range of science and technology roles.
OPM
Office of Personnel Management
OPM is the federal government's HR agency. It manages the civil service, sets pay and benefits policies, runs USAJobs.gov, and administers background investigations. With about 2,500 employees, it's small but incredibly influential in shaping how every federal agency operates.