The Role of the Public Servant

Many of us were hired into the role of a public servant without an awareness of the honor that accompanies government employment. What does it mean to be a public servant? Possibly dedicating yourself to the well-being of others, often in ways that may go unnoticed but have a great impact on the lives of community members including one’s family and neighbors. Government employment requires compassion, integrity, and a genuine desire to make a difference — plus, an uncanny ability to survive endless meetings fueled by lukewarm coffee.

• Public service is about responsibility and trust. The community relies on public servants to provide essential services, uphold laws, ensure safety, and create opportunities for everyone to thrive. This trust requires honesty, transparency, and a strong ethical foundation — and occasionally the patience of a saint when the copier jams for the third time that day. A public servant must be mindful that their decisions and actions affect not just individuals, but the collective well-being of society.
  
  
• Being a public servant also means embracing challenges. Work isn’t always easy. Budgets are tight, resources are limited, and the needs of the community are often greater than can be met. Despite these obstacles, public servants find ways to innovate, collaborate, and advocate for those who are most vulnerable. It’s about problem-solving with empathy and resilience and maybe a little humor to get through the tough days.
  
  
• There’s also a great sense of purpose that comes with public service. Knowing that your work contributes to the greater good can be incredibly fulfilling. Whether you’re helping a family find housing, supporting someone in their career journey, or creating policies that make life safer and fairer, you’re playing a part in shaping a better future. No matter what your position — IT, human resources, janitorial or administrative — every role is needed to get the job done.
  
  
• Working for the government frequently requires active listening — and maybe a friendly smile, even when you’ve answered the same question 14 times before lunch.

Many of us are familiar with the phrase “good enough for government work.” In today’s world, this phrase is most frequently used sarcastically. However, “good enough for government work” originally had a positive meaning. During World War II, the phrase was commonly used in military and government contract work. It meant that a product or task met the strict, high standards required by the U.S. government, particularly in industries like manufacturing and engineering. Over time, the phrase flipped in meaning. Instead of implying high standards, it became a way to joke about work that was just barely passable, slow-moving, or done with minimal effort. It is time to flip this phrase once again, to highlight the great work that the public servant does every day.

To be a public servant is to be a steward of hope, fairness, and progress. It’s a commitment to lifting others up, even when the work is hard, and finding intrinsic satisfaction, knowing you’ve made a positive impact. It’s a calling — one that makes the world a kinder, more just, and more connected place, even if the coffee is terrible.

Sandra Sharp works for the Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation as the State as a Model Employer (SAME) Development Specialist. She has worked in state government for over 10 years, including working for the Colorado Department of Corrections as a teacher. She has recently served as Board Member for the Denver Metro Cultural Committee and the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) Denver. Sandra has the heart of a Public Servant.