僚 coworker

My coworker is a person whom I have to make small talk with at the water cooler.

coworker ★★☆☆☆
同 (same) + 僚 (coworker) = 同僚 (coworker)

senior bureaucrat ★☆☆☆☆
官 (federal) + 僚 (coworker) = 官僚 (senior bureaucrat)

a senior bureaucrat - not the kind at the DMV, but the high powered kind that get like millions in bribes, kickbacks, and revolving-door funds.