If I work for the federal government can I work part-time as a consultant in an unrelated field?

Most likely you would be able to have a side job in an unrelated field. You would want to check to be sure though because it could depend on what exactly you are doing as a government employee.

I worked for the IRS and we were told that it was fine to have a part-time job as long as there was no conflict of interest. We couldn’t help people with taxes or give personal information about famous and well known people. I don’t know what department you will be in but if it’s in a different field then you should be fine. If you still have questions they will be able to give you more in depth information.

Just clear it with your supervisor before you start and you should have no problems.

When I was an electronics technician in the Navy, I had a part time job in an appliance store fixing televisions. My bosses didn’t mind and as long as it doesn’t require a security clearance, it shouldn’t matter. Of course if you want to be a lobbyist, you could and should have problems.

My dad works for the Federal Gov’t and owns a small consulting company that is related to his business, but neither conflicting nor competing, and it’s okay.

It depends on the regulations of the agency you are working for.