Alam joined the Bangladesh Civil Service as an administration cadre in 1989 and started as a land commissioner. He held a number of field level administration posts including Land Acquisition Officer and Upazila Nirbahi Officer. He served as Senior Assistant Secretary at the Economic Relations Division. He is a former Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Patuakhali District in 2011 where he oversaw removal of illegal structures from Kuakata Beach.
