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Government Watchdog Jobs (NOW HIRING)

City of New York

Intake Specialist (PT)

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$19.50 - $26/hr

The Public Advocate, an independently elected public official, serves as a direct link between city government and residents, acting as a "watchdog" for New Yorkers. The Public Advocate is a non ...

Baltimore Sun

News Reporter

Baltimore, MD · On-site

$50K - $80K/yr

... watchdog reporting that produces real impact and grows audience. Essential Functions * Break news ... Hold government, public institutions, and powerful interests accountable. * Identify misconduct ...

City of New York

Intake Specialist (PT)

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$19.50 - $26/hr

The Public Advocate, an independently elected public official, serves as a direct link between city government and residents, acting as a "watchdog" for New Yorkers. The Public Advocate is a non ...

City of New York

Intake Specialist (PT)

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$19.50 - $26.25/hr

The Public Advocate, an independently elected public official, serves as a direct link between city government and residents, acting as a "watchdog" for New Yorkers. The Public Advocate is a non ...

City of New York

Counsel

Manhattan, NY · On-site

DOI serves the people of New York City by acting as an independent and nonpartisan watchdog for New York City government, City agencies, and City employees, vendors with City contracts, individuals ...

City of New York

Counsel

Manhattan, NY · On-site

DOI serves the people of New York City by acting as an independent and nonpartisan watchdog for New York City government, City agencies, and City employees, vendors with City contracts, individuals ...

American Oversight

Investigator

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$62K - $78K/yr

American Oversight is a nonpartisan, nonprofit watchdog that advances truth, accountability, and democracy by enforcing the public's right to government records. We use multiple tools, backed by ...

City of New York

Counsel

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

DOI serves the people of New York City by acting as an independent and nonpartisan watchdog for New York City government, City agencies, and City employees, vendors with City contracts, individuals ...

City of New York

Counsel

Manhattan, NY

DOI serves the people of New York City by acting as an independent and nonpartisan watchdog for New York City government, City agencies, and City employees, vendors with City contracts, individuals ...

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How much do government watchdog jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for government watchdog in the United States is $62,882.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $52,500.00 and $70,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical daily responsibilities of a Government Watchdog?

Government Watchdogs routinely review government records and reports, investigate complaints or allegations of misconduct, and conduct interviews with public officials or community members. They often write detailed reports, present findings to oversight committees, and may collaborate with legal or enforcement teams when necessary. Much of the work involves independent research balanced with teamwork, as collaboration with auditors, analysts, or subject matter experts is common. This role can be dynamic, requiring quick adaptation to shifting priorities and responding to urgent public concerns.

What is a Government Watchdog job?

A Government Watchdog is responsible for monitoring government activities, ensuring transparency, and holding public officials accountable. They investigate corruption, misuse of funds, and policy compliance, often working for watchdog organizations, media outlets, or oversight agencies. Their duties may include reviewing documents, conducting audits, and reporting findings to the public or lawmakers. The goal is to promote ethical governance and protect taxpayer interests by exposing fraud or inefficiency.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Government Watchdog position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Government Watchdog, you need strong analytical skills, investigative experience, and a deep understanding of government operations, typically gained through backgrounds in law, journalism, or public policy. Familiarity with auditing software, data analysis tools, and compliance reporting systems is commonly required. Integrity, persistence, and clear communication are crucial soft skills that help navigate complex investigations and interactions with the public or officials. These skills are essential to ensure accountability, transparency, and effective oversight of governmental activities.

More about Government Watchdog jobs
What cities are hiring for Government Watchdog jobs? Cities with the most Government Watchdog job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Government Watchdog jobs? The most popular types of Government Watchdog jobs are:
What states have the most Government Watchdog jobs? States with the most job openings for Government Watchdog jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Government Watchdog jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Government Watchdog jobs are:
Government Watchdog jobs near you
Infographic showing various Government Watchdog job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $62,882 per year, or $30.2 per hour.
Intake Specialist (PT)

Intake Specialist (PT)

City of New York

Manhattan, NY • On-site

$19.50 - $26/hr

Part-time

Posted 5 days ago

City Of New York rating

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 77 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

483rd of 646 rated public administrative organizations

Job description

Job Description

The Public Advocate, an independently elected public official, serves as a direct link between city government and residents, acting as a "watchdog" for New Yorkers. The Public Advocate is a non-voting member of the New York City Council, an ex officio member of all Council committees and introduces and co-sponsors legislation. The Public Advocate serves on various City committees and appoints members to several boards and commissions.
The Office of the New York City Public Advocate reviews and investigates residents' complaints about City services and administrative actions, assists people having difficulty receiving City services, assesses whether City agencies are responsive to the public, and recommends legislative or policy proposals to address identified service deficiencies.
The Public Advocate's Constituent Services Department assists with complaints or inquiries involving government-related services and regulations. The Constituent Services Department provides information and referrals and works closely with New York City agencies to find solutions to help resolve the situation.
As an Intake Specialist the responsibilities are but not limited to:
-Conducting in person intake during walk-in hours
-Receiving and responding to telephone, email and written complaints to the Public Advocate's office
-Monitoring and responding to hotline voicemail messages
-Obtaining sufficient personal data from the constituent to ensure that Associates are able to contact them in the future by telephone, email, and/or mail
-Maintaining up-to-date and accurate casework records in our database
-Conducting follow up as needed
ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLIC ADVOCA - 94496

Qualifications

-Excellent written and communication skills
-Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to manage sensitive situations with discretion, professionalism, and diplomacy
-Strong attention to detail
-Proficient in Google Workspace or related

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

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