noun
subordinate official; government clerk
Refers to a lower-ranking official or clerk within a government office or public institution. Somewhat formal and bureaucratic.
彼は長年、県庁の属官として勤めてきた。
He has worked for many years as a subordinate official at the prefectural office.
Compound of 属 (zoku, 'subordinate, belonging to') and 官 (kan, 'government official'). The reading ぞっかん results from the assimilation of ぞく + かん.