Flexibility is important for success in the public service sector, reveals Public Service Careers, an online resource for public service professionals. Public administrators should be ready to shift jobs when opportunities arise. As a public administrator, you can work as a government policy analyst, public relations manager or regional planner. You could also work in nonprofit organizations. Public administrators perform various roles depending on the organization. Public administrators often need at least a bachelor's degree, but many also earn master's degrees in public administration.

Administrative Roles

Public administrators often fulfill administrative roles providing information to clients, and overseeing and implementing various programs for organizations. They are often responsible for directing and advising organization employees like researchers, program officers and consultants. They might also evaluate programs and services within an organization, as well as implement changes to public policy initiatives.

Fiscal Administration

Monitoring and approving budgets may also be a public administrator's role. They might be in charge of revenue and expenditure planning in their organizations. They may also design and evaluate accounting systems. Public administrators must comply with legal provisions while managing accounting information. Public administrators often need a balance of skills such as interpreting and reporting financial information in a way that people can easily understand it.

Public Guardian

Some public administrators take on a public guardian role, managing affairs for people who are unable to make their own health or financial decisions. People who may be in a coma, with a mental illness or Alzheimer's disease rely on public administrators to act as guardians or conservators of their estates. Some states require public guardians to seek the permission of a court before making decisions such as selling the property of an incapacitated adult. Public administrators might also become guardians to minors under judicial direction.

Fundraising

A career in public administration may involve fundraising activities for a nonprofit organization. Public administrators use effective techniques while maintaining ethical standards of honesty, integrity, empathy, respect and transparency in executing the fundraising role for their organizations. They must answer to the public their organization leaders and donors. They must also comply with fundraising laws and regulations.