US governments struggle to keep pace with rapidly advancing technologies and with the expectations of the public for governmental service delivery akin to what they experience in other aspects of their normal daily lives. While more technologists are needed to serve in local government to help accelerate its digital transformation, no guide for aspiring Public Sector Technologists exists.

Until now.

Many technologists already volunteer their time and skills in civic technology organizations, such as Code for America brigades or in data science for social good organizations. This book argues that more technologists should consider going beyond volunteering, and complete a tour of duty within local government itself. It highlights the importance of local government in our communities, and the incredible challenges that it’s facing caused by increasingly rapid advances in the power and reach of new technologies, and how building the pipeline of talent from the private to the public sector can help address those challenges.

Readers will benefit in four main ways:

Why: they will gain a new understanding and appreciation of local government and the key role it plays in our society, insights into why more people with their skills and passion for public service are needed, and incentives for why they should seriously consider this as a future career option.

What: they will learn more about local government structures and its role and responsibility within our society, gain insights into the specific needs that technologists can help address, and what local governments can do to attract and retain more talented technologists.

How: they will learn how to get started on their own journey into public service, how working in the public sector differs from the private sector, and strategies for how to succeed and have impact within their local government.

Future: they will gain perspectives into how ‘future of work’ issues and emerging technologies will likely affect the way that local governments will provide public services in the next five to ten years, and provide insights and ideas for how government itself can do more to attract and retain talented technologists.