Government Jobs in Atlanta: How to Find, Apply, and Get Hired

Looking for government jobs in Atlanta can be a smart move if you want steady work, good benefits, and clear paths for advancement. Whether you’re interested in working for the City of Atlanta, Fulton County, the State of Georgia, or the federal government, Atlanta offers a wide mix of public-sector careers.

This guide walks you through the main types of government employers in Atlanta, common job types, how to apply, and where to go locally if you need in-person help.

The Main Types of Government Jobs in Atlanta

In Atlanta, most public-sector roles fall into four main buckets:

1. City of Atlanta jobs (municipal government)
2. County jobs (Fulton County and DeKalb County)
3. State of Georgia jobs (state agencies with offices in Atlanta)
4. Federal government jobs (US agencies based in or near downtown and Midtown)

Each level has its own hiring process, pay structures, and benefit packages, so it helps to target them separately.

City of Atlanta Government Jobs

The City of Atlanta employs thousands of people in roles that touch daily life in the city, from maintaining streets and parks to handling permits and public safety.

Common City of Atlanta Job Areas

Typical city job categories include:

• Public Safety: police officers, firefighters, 911 dispatchers
• Public Works & Transportation: sanitation workers, equipment operators, engineers, traffic operations
• Parks & Recreation: recreation leaders, lifeguards, groundskeepers, program coordinators
• Administration & Finance: accountants, HR specialists, IT staff, administrative assistants
• Planning & Community Development: planners, building inspectors, zoning officials
• Airport & Aviation (Hartsfield-Jackson): operations, maintenance, customer service, security support

Many entry-level roles only require a high school diploma or GED, while professional and technical roles may need specific degrees, certifications, or licenses.

Where the City of Atlanta Operates

Key locations tied to City of Atlanta employment include:

• Atlanta City Hall
  55 Trinity Ave SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
  6000 N Terminal Pkwy
  Atlanta, GA 30320

If you need in-person help with city employment or application processes, you can contact the City of Atlanta Department of Human Resources at City Hall. Calling ahead is recommended to confirm hours and services.

Fulton County and DeKalb County Government Jobs

Atlanta spans multiple counties, but most city residents interact primarily with Fulton County and, on the east side, DeKalb County.

Fulton County Jobs

Fulton County oversees services like health, courts, libraries, and elections. Common roles include:

• Health & Human Services: public health workers, social services staff, case managers
• Courts & Justice System: clerks, probation officers, legal support staff
• Libraries: librarians, library assistants, outreach staff
• Property & Tax: appraisal, records, customer service
• General Administration: IT, finance, HR, procurement

Key Fulton County government locations in Atlanta:

• Fulton County Government Center
  141 Pryor St SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303

• Fulton County Board of Health – Atlanta Office
  10 Park Place South SE
  Atlanta, GA 30303

For job-related questions, Fulton County’s Human Resources division at the Government Center can generally provide guidance on current openings and application requirements.

DeKalb County Jobs

If you live or work on the east side of Atlanta (e.g., near East Atlanta, Kirkwood, or Decatur), DeKalb County may be a major employer for you.

Typical DeKalb County positions include:

• Public Works & Road Maintenance
• Water & Sewer Services
• Sheriff’s Office & Jail Services
• Elections and Voter Registration
• Senior Services & Community Programs

Central DeKalb County offices are just east of Atlanta:

• DeKalb County Government – Maloof Center and Administration Building
  1300 Commerce Dr
  Decatur, GA 30030

Driving or taking MARTA to Decatur is common for job interviews and HR appointments with DeKalb County.

State of Georgia Jobs in Atlanta

As the state capital, Atlanta is home to a wide range of State of Georgia agencies, creating many state-level government job opportunities.

Major State Employers in Atlanta

Some of the most visible state employers in the Atlanta area include:

• Georgia State Capitol & General Assembly
  Legislative staff, policy analysts, communications roles, administrative assistants
• Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT)
  Engineers, inspectors, maintenance crews, planners, traffic operations staff
• Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS)
  Social services, benefits program caseworkers, call center staff, supervisors
• Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH)
  Public health nurses, epidemiology support, program coordinators, data analysts
• Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR)
  Tax processing, compliance, customer service, auditing

Key state offices in downtown Atlanta:

• Georgia State Capitol
  206 Washington St SW
  Atlanta, GA 30334

• Georgia Department of Transportation – One Georgia Center
  600 W Peachtree St NW
  Atlanta, GA 30308

• Twin Towers State Office Buildings (Floyd & Sloppy Floyd Buildings)
  2 & 10 Martin Luther King Jr Dr SE
  Atlanta, GA 30334

These buildings house many different state agencies. If you have an interview or HR appointment, double-check which building and tower you’re supposed to visit.

Federal Government Jobs in Atlanta

Atlanta is a regional hub for multiple federal agencies, especially in downtown, Midtown, and around the airport.

Common Federal Agencies with Atlanta Offices

You may find federal job opportunities with:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  Health scientists, analysts, IT professionals, administrative staff
• Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
  Tax examiners, revenue officers, support staff
• Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
  Healthcare roles, benefit counselors, administrative positions
• Social Security Administration (SSA)
  Claims representatives, customer service, office staff
• U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)
  Facilities management, contracting, property administration
• Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at Hartsfield-Jackson
  Transportation security officers, supervisors, management roles

Major federal facilities include:

• Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center
  61 Forsyth St SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303

• CDC Clifton Campus
  1600 Clifton Rd NE
  Atlanta, GA 30329

• Atlanta VA Medical Center
  1670 Clairmont Rd
  Decatur, GA 30033

Parking, security screening, and check-in procedures can be strict at federal buildings, so give yourself extra time for interviews or onboarding visits.

Types of Government Jobs You Can Find in Atlanta

Across city, county, state, and federal levels, many job types show up repeatedly in Atlanta:

1. Administrative & Office Support

These roles keep government offices running smoothly:

• Administrative assistants
• Office managers
• Receptionists
• Records clerks
• Executive assistants

These often require strong communication, organization, and computer skills, and can be good entry points for long-term careers.

2. Public Safety & Emergency Services

Atlanta has steady demand for:

• Police officers (City of Atlanta Police Department, campus police, transit police)
• Firefighters (Atlanta Fire Rescue Department)
• Sheriff’s deputies (Fulton and DeKalb County sheriff’s offices)
• 911 operators / emergency dispatchers

Public safety roles usually have clear training academies, structured promotions, and pension options, along with physical, background, and sometimes psychological screening.

3. Professional & Technical Jobs

Atlanta’s government sector hires many professionals in:

• Engineering (civil, transportation, environmental)
• Information Technology (network engineers, cybersecurity, help desk)
• Finance & Accounting (budget analysts, auditors, accountants)
• Planning & Development (urban planners, code enforcement, zoning)
• Legal & Compliance (attorneys, paralegals, compliance officers)

These typically require specific degrees, certifications, or licenses.

4. Human & Social Services

If you’re drawn to community-focused work, consider:

• Case managers
• Social service specialists
• Eligibility workers for benefits programs
• Youth program coordinators
• Outreach workers

These jobs often appear in county health departments, state human services, and community-focused city departments.

5. Skilled Trades & Maintenance

Government agencies in Atlanta need people who can build, repair, and maintain public infrastructure and facilities:

• Electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians
• Equipment operators
• Building maintenance workers
• Groundskeepers and landscapers
• Fleet mechanics

Trade certifications or licenses can make you very competitive in these roles.

Comparing Government Employers in Atlanta

Here’s a quick overview of what to expect by level of government:

*Benefits vary by agency and position. Always review the specific posting for details.

How to Search for Government Jobs in Atlanta

You’ll usually need to search and apply online, though some offices offer computer kiosks and in-person assistance.

City of Atlanta

• Look for sections labeled “Careers,” “Jobs,” or “Employment” on the City of Atlanta’s official website.
• You can usually:
  • Create a user account
  • Upload a resume
  • Fill out an online application for each job
• Some positions, like police or fire, may have separate recruiting pages with information on physical tests and academy training.

If you don’t have reliable internet at home, visit a Fulton County Library System branch, such as:

• Central Library
  One Margaret Mitchell Square
  Atlanta, GA 30303

Many branches offer free public computers and can be useful for job searching and completing online applications.

Fulton and DeKalb Counties

• Check each county’s official government website for “Careers” or “Job Opportunities.”
• You can filter by:
  • Location (Atlanta, North Fulton, South Fulton, Decatur, etc.)
  • Department (Health, Sheriff, Courts, Public Works)
  • Job type (full-time, part-time, temporary)

If you get stuck, you can call each county’s Human Resources or Personnel Department listed on their site to clarify application steps.

State of Georgia

• Most state jobs are posted through a central state careers portal.
• Filter by:
  • Location: Atlanta
  • Agency (GDOT, DPH, DHS, etc.)
  • Job category (administrative, engineering, social services)

State postings often include:

• Minimum education and experience requirements
• Any certifications needed
• Pay range (sometimes listed as an annual salary or hourly rate)

Federal Jobs in Atlanta

• Federal positions are generally posted on the main federal government careers portal, which allows you to:
  • Filter by city: Atlanta or nearby areas (Decatur, Chamblee)
  • Filter by agency (CDC, VA, IRS, TSA)
  • Filter by pay grade (GS levels) and job family

For federal roles, pay attention to:

• Who can apply (public, current federal employees, veterans, military spouses)
• Citizenship requirements
• Security clearance levels, if any

How to Prepare a Strong Application for Atlanta Government Jobs

Government hiring can be more structured than private-sector hiring. A few Atlanta-specific tips:

1. Tailor Your Resume to the Posting

Government agencies often use detailed job descriptions and may screen applications based on specific keywords.

• Match your skills and experience to the exact language used in the posting.
• For federal jobs, consider a longer resume (3–5 pages isn’t unusual) that clearly lists:
  • Duties
  • Hours per week
  • Dates of employment
  • Tools/technologies used

2. Carefully Answer Supplemental Questions

Many online applications for City, County, State, and Federal jobs include supplemental questions or questionnaires.

• Answer honestly and thoroughly.
• Don’t rush; incomplete answers can disqualify you from consideration.
• Some systems automatically score these responses, so detail matters.

3. Collect Required Documents Early

Commonly requested items include:

• High school diploma, GED, or transcripts
• College transcripts (official or unofficial, depending on the stage)
• Professional licenses or certifications
• Driver’s license (especially for roles requiring driving)
• DD-214 or other documentation for veterans’ preference (for certain state and federal roles)

Scan or photograph these documents so you can upload them when needed.

4. Be Ready for Testing or Background Checks

In Atlanta, many government roles will require one or more of the following:

• Background check (criminal history, employment verification)
• Drug screening
• Physical abilities test (police, fire, some public works roles)
• Written exams or skills tests (clerical tests, typing tests, or job knowledge tests)

Read the posting so you know what to expect after applying.

Entry-Level Government Jobs in Atlanta

If you’re early in your career or changing fields, you may want roles that don’t require extensive experience.

Examples of more accessible positions include:

• City of Atlanta
  • Customer service representatives
  • Administrative support assistants
  • Parks and recreation staff
  • Sanitation workers and equipment operators
• Fulton & DeKalb County
  • Clerk positions in courts or records offices
  • Library assistants
  • Call center or front-desk staff
• State of Georgia
  • Office assistants
  • Eligibility workers or support staff in human services
  • Maintenance and grounds crew jobs
• Federal
  • TSA officers at Hartsfield-Jackson
  • Entry-level clerical or support roles at agencies based downtown

These positions can be a starting point for promotions and internal transfers over time.

Using Atlanta Resources to Support Your Government Job Search

You don’t have to navigate everything alone. Several Atlanta-area resources can help with resumes, applications, and interview prep.

Atlanta Workforce Development & Career Centers

Local workforce centers often provide:

• Free resume and cover letter help
• Access to computers and printers
• Workshops on interviewing and job search skills
• Sometimes, direct connections to government job fairs

One central resource in the city:

• WorkSource Atlanta / City of Atlanta Workforce Programs
  Offices and partner centers operate within the city; check city resources or call ahead for the nearest location and current services.

Public Libraries

Both Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System and nearby DeKalb County Public Library branches offer:

• Public computers with internet access
• Printing and scanning (often for a small fee)
• Staff who can point you to job search resources and workshops

Central locations include:

• Central Library (Fulton)
  One Margaret Mitchell Square
  Atlanta, GA 30303

• Decatur Library (DeKalb)
  215 Sycamore St
  Decatur, GA 30030

Colleges and Universities

If you’re a student or recent graduate in Atlanta, career centers at schools like Georgia State University, Georgia Tech, or Atlanta Metropolitan State College may post government internships and entry-level roles, especially with:

• State agencies based downtown
• Local city/county offices
• Federal agencies like CDC or VA

Tips for Standing Out in the Atlanta Government Job Market

A few practical ways to improve your chances:

• Network locally: Attend job fairs, community meetings, or open houses hosted by City of Atlanta, Fulton County, or state agencies.
• Consider internships or temporary roles: Short-term positions can lead to full-time jobs once you’ve proven yourself.
• Look for “trainee” job titles: Some agencies offer trainee or apprentice roles that include on-the-job training.
• Be patient but persistent: Government hiring in Atlanta can take weeks to months from application to start date. Apply to multiple roles and track your applications.
• Keep your contact information updated: If you change phone numbers or email, log into each application portal and update your profile so HR can reach you.

Government jobs in Atlanta can offer stable pay, strong benefits, and the chance to serve the community where you live or plan to move. By knowing which agencies are here, how to navigate their application systems, and where to get local help, you can move from searching “government jobs Atlanta” to confidently applying for positions that match your skills and goals.