Who is a Civil Servant?
The civil service is a “collective term for a sector of government. It is made of career civil servants hired on professional merit rather than appointed or elected. Their institutional tenure typically survives transitions of political leadership” [Source]. A civil servant, also known as public servant. It is a “person employed in the public sector by a government department or agency for public sector undertakings”. In most countries, civil servants are employed in central and state governments. They are under the government’s authority, not a political party.
Is the President a Civil Servant?
The president is part of the government and works in it, thus making the president a civil servant. Also, a president is in under both the party’s and government’s authority, so he or she becomes a civil servant in that regard. It equates a civils servant and a public servant. It is argued that “The office of the president is supposed to be filled with a person who will head the Executive branch in carrying out the nation’s laws. They should act as Commander in Chief of the armed forces when they are needed, and who can set policy and propose direction for the nation and her people. As such, the President is indeed a public servant” [Source].
Other views state that “The President (title) is supposed to be a public servant, yes. That job is the most familiar, most public face of the government, but the person in that position is responsible to the people he or she is supposed to lead. If a President forgets that fact, he/she should be reminded”. This means the presidential duties of caring for the public makes him or her a public servant. They must fulfil those duties in-order to be described as a good president and maybe amass votes for re-election.
Civil Servant vs Public Servant
Civil servant and public servant are usually used as synonyms. They seem to point to one aspect, but they are different. Their difference stem from the entities of civil service and public service respectively.
Civil service is “made up of individuals other than military personnel who are employed by federal, state, or local government entities” [Source]. It is a “service provided by the government to all citizens” [Source]. People who work in the civil service are civil servants. They are sometimes referred to as government bureaucrats or career governments.
Public service is a “service offered by the government to all individuals under its jurisdiction. It includes the most needy segment of societies” and it is performed by public servants.
Similarities between civil servants and public servants are that they offer services. They are rolled out by government to citizens or persons under the government’s jurisdiction. These servants work towards improving the country’s social environment and are employed by the government.
Differences between a civil servant and a public servant are that a civil servant occupies higher offices. They perform key duties as compared to public servants who are in lower offices and carryout simple tasks. Some public servants such as firefighters have to undergo training and others do not need. Civil servants must highly qualified and should have educational and professional experience. Job positions in the civil service are given to individuals who would have passed exams and tests, and are appointed on merit. A person can get a job in the publics service after passing an interview or tests. They might not even need educational or professional qualifications.
List of Civil Servant jobs
Civil servant jobs include ministers, members of parliament, members of embassies, consulates, lawyers, engineers, local or state or federal governments workers.
Are Police Civil Servants?
Wikipedia notes that “police officers and staff are also not civil servants” [Source]. It was noted that “Public servants include firefighters and police officers [Source]. Police fall under public servants and not civil servants.
