Positions fulfilled for federal, state, or local agencies completed outside of a traditional office environment describe a segment of the modern workforce. These opportunities involve agreements between a governmental entity and an individual or company to provide specific services or deliverables from a location other than the contracting agency’s physical premises. An example would be a software developer building an application for a government department while working from their home office.
The increasing availability of geographically independent roles offers numerous advantages. For the government, it expands the talent pool, potentially reduces overhead costs associated with office space, and can improve employee satisfaction and retention. For individuals, such arrangements provide greater flexibility, improved work-life balance, and the opportunity to contribute to public service regardless of geographic location. Historically, these types of positions were less common due to technological limitations and security concerns, but advancements in communication tools and cybersecurity protocols have enabled their growth.