Legal Definitions - civil service

Definition: Civil service refers to the administrative branches of a government and the group of people employed by these branches.

For example, in the United States, the civil service includes all federal government employees except for those who are elected or appointed by the president. This includes people who work in agencies like the Department of Defense, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Internal Revenue Service.

The purpose of the civil service is to provide a stable and efficient workforce for the government. Civil servants are hired based on their qualifications and skills, rather than political connections or personal relationships. This helps to ensure that the government is able to function effectively and serve the needs of the people.