What is Public Servant?

Definition and meaning of public servant: A public servant is an individual employed by government agencies or organizations to serve the public’s interests, ranging from local to federal levels.

Public servants include career civil servants, such as teachers, firefighters, social workers, and police officers, as well as elected officials like mayors and senators. Their primary duty is to uphold public trust and work impartially for the welfare of the community or nation they serve.

Career civil servants are essential to government operations, bringing technical expertise and institutional knowledge to their roles to ensure the continuous delivery of services that maintain societal stability. Elected officials, meanwhile, serve as both policymakers and representatives of their constituents, aiming to make decisions that benefit the public. They often work toward bipartisan solutions to complex issues, remaining accountable to the citizens who elect them.

In the United States, public service is grounded in democratic ideals, emphasizing governance “of the people, by the people, for the people.” Public servants, whether crafting laws, responding to emergencies, educating citizens, or administering public programs, play a crucial role in sustaining these democratic principles.

Learn more about what it means to be a public servant on our blog.