Personnel Practices
Conversions of Employees from Political to Career Positions May 2005-May 2009 Gao ID: GAO-10-688 June 28, 2010Political appointees in the federal government sometimes seek appointments to career competitive and other positions which, unlike political appointments, do not terminate at the end of an administration. Federal agencies must use appropriate authorities and follow proper procedures in making these conversions. GAO was asked to determine for departments and selected agencies (1) the number and characteristics of all political to career conversions occurring during the period from May 1, 2005, through May 30, 2009, and (2) whether appropriate authorities were used and proper procedures were followed in making these conversions at the GS-12 level and above.
Twenty-six of the 42 departments and agencies selected for review reported converting 139 individuals from political to career positions from May 1, 2005, through May 30, 2009. The other 16 departments and agencies reported making no conversions during this period. Five agencies accounted for 79, or 57 percent, of the 139 reported conversions: the Departments of Justice (32), Homeland Security (17), Defense (13), Energy (9), and Commerce (8). Agencies appeared to have used appropriate authorities and followed proper procedures in making the majority (92) of the 117 conversions reported at the GS-12 level or higher. However, for seven of these conversions documentation indicates that agencies may not have adhered to merit system principles, followed proper procedures, or may have engaged in prohibited personnel practices or other improprieties. Some of the improper procedures included pre-selecting particular individuals for career positions and selecting former political appointees who appeared to have limited qualifications and/or experience relevant to the career positions. Of the seven conversions, five will be reviewed by OPM; one involves an issue most appropriately reviewed by the agency's ethics officer, and one does not warrant further action as both the official solely responsible for the conversion and the convertee are no longer with the agency. For 18 conversions there was insufficient information to make a determination as to whether appropriate authorities and proper procedures were followed. In some cases this was because the document retention period had passed by the time of our review and agencies no longer maintained the files. In other cases, agencies did not provide enough documentation for us to fully assess the process they used to make the conversion. Political appointees can bring valuable skills and experience to the federal workforce, and the merit-based conversion of political appointees to career positions can be a useful means to achieving a highly qualified workforce. OPM's newly implemented pre-appointment review of these conversions could help better ensure they are done appropriately. GAO recommends that OPM review five of the seven conversions GAO identified where it appears that certain agencies did not adhere to merit system principles, did not follow proper procedures, or may have engaged in prohibited personnel practices, and determine whether additional actions are needed. OPM agreed with this recommendation. Regarding the remaining two conversions that raised questions, one is currently being reviewed by the Ethics Officer for the agency that made the conversion and the other does not warrant further action in our view as the official solely responsible for the conversion and the convertee are both no longer with the agency.
RecommendationsOur recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.
Director: Laurie E. Ekstrand Team: Government Accountability Office: Strategic Issues Phone: (202) 512-2758GAO-10-688, Personnel Practices: Conversions of Employees from Political to Career Positions May 2005-May 2009
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Report to Congressional Requesters:
United States Government Accountability Office:
GAO:
June 2010:
Personnel Practices:
Conversions of Employees from Political to Career Positions May 2005 -
May 2009:
GAO-10-688:
GAO Highlights:
Highlights of GAO-10-688, a report to congressional requesters.
Why GAO Did This Study:
Political appointees in the federal government sometimes seek
appointments to career competitive and other positions which, unlike
political appointments, do not terminate at the end of an
administration. Federal agencies must use appropriate authorities and
follow proper procedures in making these conversions. GAO was asked to
determine for departments and selected agencies (1) the number and
characteristics of all political to career conversions occurring
during the period from May 1, 2005, through May 30, 2009, and (2)
whether appropriate authorities were used and proper procedures were
followed in making these conversions at the GS-12 level and above.
What GAO Found:
Twenty-six of the 42 departments and agencies selected for review
reported converting 139 individuals from political to career positions
from May 1, 2005, through May 30, 2009. The other 16 departments and
agencies reported making no conversions during this period. Five
agencies accounted for 79, or 57 percent, of the 139 reported
conversions: the Departments of Justice (32), Homeland Security (17),
Defense (13), Energy (9), and Commerce (8).
Agencies appeared to have used appropriate authorities and followed
proper procedures in making the majority (92) of the 117 conversions
reported at the GS-12 level or higher. However, for seven of these
conversions documentation indicates that agencies may not have adhered
to merit system principles, followed proper procedures, or may have
engaged in prohibited personnel practices or other improprieties. Some
of the improper procedures included pre-selecting particular
individuals for career positions and selecting former political
appointees who appeared to have limited qualifications and/or
experience relevant to the career positions. Of the seven conversions,
five will be reviewed by OPM; one involves an issue most appropriately
reviewed by the agency‘s ethics officer, and one does not warrant
further action as both the official solely responsible for the
conversion and the convertee are no longer with the agency. For 18
conversions there was insufficient information to make a determination
as to whether appropriate authorities and proper procedures were
followed. In some cases this was because the document retention period
had passed by the time of our review and agencies no longer maintained
the files. In other cases, agencies did not provide enough
documentation for us to fully assess the process they used to make the
conversion.
Political appointees can bring valuable skills and experience to the
federal workforce, and the merit-based conversion of political
appointees to career positions can be a useful means to achieving a
highly qualified workforce. OPM‘s newly implemented pre-appointment
review of these conversions could help better ensure they are done
appropriately.
Figure: Type of Political Positions Converted from and Career
Positions Converted to, from May 1, 2005, through May 30, 2009:
[Refer to PDF for image: illustration]
Political positions before conversion:
96 Schedule C;
28 Non-career SES;
8 Presidential appointees;
4 Legislative branch;
3 Limited term SES.
Career positions after conversion:
90 Competitive service;
24 Career SES;
25 Career excepted service.
Source: GAO‘s analysis of data reported by departments and selected
agencies.
[End of figure]
What GAO Recommends:
GAO recommends that OPM review five of the seven conversions GAO
identified where it appears that certain agencies did not adhere to
merit system principles, did not follow proper procedures, or may have
engaged in prohibited personnel practices, and determine whether
additional actions are needed. OPM agreed with this recommendation.
Regarding the remaining two conversions that raised questions, one is
currently being reviewed by the Ethics Officer for the agency that
made the conversion and the other does not warrant further action in
our view as the official solely responsible for the conversion and the
convertee are both no longer with the agency.
View [hyperlink, http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-688] or key
components. For more information, contact Laurie E. Ekstrand, (202)
512-6806, ekstrandl@gao.gov.
[End of section]
Contents:
Letter:
Background:
Agencies Appeared to Have Used Appropriate Authorities and Proper
Procedures in Making the Majority of These Conversions:
Conclusions:
Recommendation(s) for Executive Action:
Agency Comments and Our Evaluation:
Appendix I: Executive Branch Departments and Select Agencies Covered
in This Review and Their Number of Conversions:
Appendix II: Scope and Methodology:
Appendix III: Political Appointees Converted to Career Positions by
Departments and Selected Agencies from May 1, 2005, through April 30,
2009:
Appendix IV: Conversions Where Appropriate Authorities and Proper
Procedures May Not Have Been Followed:
Appendix V: 18 Conversions Where It Could Not Be Determined Whether
Appropriate Authorities and Proper Procedures Were Followed:
Appendix VI: GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments:
Figure:
Figure 1: Departments and Selected Agencies with the Most Conversions:
[End of section]
United States Government Accountability Office:
Washington, DC 20548:
June 28, 2010:
Congressional Requesters:
Political appointees in the federal government sometimes seek
appointments to career competitive and other positions which, unlike
political appointments, do not terminate at the end of an
administration. Conversions of political appointees to career
positions must conform to merit system principles requiring that
selection be determined solely on the basis of merit. Sometimes,
however, circumstances surrounding conversions can raise questions as
to whether the individuals received favoritism or an unfair advantage
in the merit system selection process, even the appearance of which
could adversely compromise the integrity of the system. There are many
types of conversions. This report focuses on one type of conversion;
i.e., converting individuals from political to career positions. These
conversions represented less than 1 percent of the total number of
career conversions across the government from May 1, 2005, through May
30, 2009.[Footnote 1] The types of positions that this report covers
and a definition of each are listed in the background section.
Federal agencies must use appropriate authorities and follow proper
procedures in making the conversions. Most of these authorities and
procedures are found in Title 5 of the U.S. Code. Title 5 of the U.S.
Code includes the merit system principles,[Footnote 2] which are broad
principles governing federal personnel management, such as that all
applicants for federal employment should receive fair and equitable
treatment. Other examples of statutory requirements include granting
of veteran's preference[Footnote 3] and the prohibition on certain
personnel practices[Footnote 4] such as discriminating for or against
an applicant for employment on the basis of political affiliation. In
addition to these statutory requirements, agencies must follow the
Office of Personnel Management (OPM) regulations, which set out
required procedures for making appointments to career positions, such
as providing public notice of all vacancies in the career Senior
Executive Service (SES).[Footnote 5] Agencies are not required to
follow OPM's competitive service hiring guidance for career excepted
service (non-Schedule C) positions; however, agencies must follow
merit system principles, apply veteran's preference, and OPM's
guidance for excepted service hiring, when making most of these
appointments.
This report responds to your request that we determine (1) the number
of conversions of political appointees to career positions as reported
to us by 42 executive branch agencies and departments from May 1,
2005, through May 30, 2009; and for each of these conversions, the
characteristics of the political positions previously held by these
individuals and the career positions to which they were converted, and
(2) whether appropriate authorities were used and proper procedures
followed in making these conversions at the GS-12 level and above.
We have regularly reported on conversions from noncareer to career
positions in the past.[Footnote 6] In 2002, we reported on conversions
from political to career positions during the period from October 1998
through April 2001. In 2006, we expanded our scope and reported on
conversions of employees from seven categories of noncareer positions,
including those defined as political positions in the 2002 report, to
career positions during the period from May 2001 through April 2005.
The scope of this report is similar to our 2002 report in that it only
includes conversions that involve political appointees and
congressional employees who convert to career positions. In January
2010, we provided you with information on the number of individuals
who were converted from political to noncareer positions during the
period May 1, 2005, through May 30, 2009, as reported to us by 42
departments and agencies.[Footnote 7] We reported that 143 individuals
holding political positions were converted to career positions during
that time frame at 26 of the 42 selected departments and agencies
covered in our review. The remaining 16 departments and agencies
reported no political conversions during that period. Based on
additional information and our continuing review of information
provided by agencies after our interim report was issued, we have
eliminated from this review five out-of-scope conversions that were
included in our January 2010 report and added one conversion that we
previously excluded. This brings the total number of conversions
covered to 139. This report expands on the information previously
reported to show the results of those conversions at the GS-12 level
and above.
To address our objectives, we asked the 42 departments and agencies to
complete a data collection instrument (DCI) and provide official
records (Standard Form 50) for each conversion to determine the number
of individuals converted from political to career positions. Appendix
I lists the 42 departments and agencies we reviewed and the number of
conversions reported by each. The criteria used to select the 42
executive branch departments and agencies for this review were (1) all
cabinet-level departments and (2) agencies that had oversight or other
regular responsibilities for federal workforce issues. In addition, to
get a further variation of federal agency experiences, we considered
the size, mission, and type of workforce to select additional agencies
for our review. For each conversion at the GS-12 level and above, we
reviewed the agency files, which document promotion and hiring
decisions, and official personnel folders (OPF), which include salary
and other information from individuals' current and previous
appointments, to ensure that appropriate authorities and proper
procedures were followed. Multiple reviewers, including attorneys
experienced in the application of federal personnel law, applied their
professional judgment after reviewing the appropriate laws and
regulations and the circumstances of each case. To ensure inter-rater
reliability, the reviews were done independently, and the results
later discussed by the reviewers to reach consensus on the
appropriateness of each appointment.
Agencies are not required to follow OPM's competitive hiring guidance
for career excepted service positions. Instead they devise their own
hiring procedures for career excepted service (non-Schedule C)
positions. We requested written copies of such procedures from each
agency that used this authority to determine (1) if agency procedures
were consistent with law and regulations and, including OPM's hiring
guidance for excepted service positions where applicable, and (2)
whether agencies followed their own procedures. Since most of the
conversions to career excepted service positions were made by the
Department of Justice (DOJ), we also met with DOJ's Director of
Attorney Recruitment and Management to discuss the process DOJ uses to
convert individuals to career excepted service (non-Schedule C)
positions.
We conducted this performance audit in Washington, D.C., from July
2008 through June 2010 in accordance with generally accepted
government auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain sufficient, appropriate evidence to
provide a reasonable basis for our findings and conclusions based on
our audit objectives. We believe that the evidence obtained provides a
reasonable basis for our findings and conclusions based on our audit
objectives.
Background:
Political appointments are generally made by the administration in
office to support and advocate the president's political goals and
policies. These positions are noncareer appointments that are made
without regard to the rules for competition that govern career
appointments. Importantly and consistent with how we have reported
related data in the past, for the purpose of this review, we defined
political appointees as those who had an appointment in one of the six
categories of positions defined below.[Footnote 8]
* Schedule C: Appointments are generally noncompetitive and are for
excepted service positions graded GS-15 and below that involve
determining policy or that require a close confidential relationship
with the agency head or other key officials of the agency. Schedule C
appointees serve at the pleasure of the department or agency head.
* Noncareer SES: Appointments are to positions with responsibility for
formulating, advocating, and directing administration policies.
Noncareer SES appointees serve at the pleasure of the department or
agency head.
* Limited-term SES: Appointments may be made for up to 36 months to a
position with duties that will end in 36 months or an earlier
specified time period.
* Limited-emergency SES: Appointments may be made for up to 18 months
to meet a bona fide, unanticipated, urgent need.
* Presidential appointees, including executive level and noncareer
ambassadors: Appointments are made by the president, generally to fill
high-level executive positions. Appointees support and advocate the
president's goals and policies.
* Noncareer legislative branch: Appointments are primarily to
positions in member and committee offices.
Also consistent with our past work on conversions, we identified three
categories of career positions, defined as follows:
* Career-Conditional/Career (competitive service): Appointments are to
permanent positions in the competitive service and are generally made
through open competitive examination.[Footnote 9] Competitive
examination includes recruitment through a published or "all sources"
announcement, rating and ranking of eligible candidates using OPM-
created or approved qualification standards and agency-developed job
related assessment tools to identify the most qualified applicants.
Generally, the initial competitive service appointment is career
conditional. Appointees must complete a 1-year probationary period and
a total of 3 years of continuous creditable service to become a career
employee.
* Career (SES): Appointments into the Senior Executive Service under 5
U.S.C. § 3393 to top-level policy, supervisory, and managerial
positions above grade 15 of the General Schedule. Career SES positions
require a further review and approval of the executive/managerial
qualifications of the proposed selectee by an OPM-administered SES
Qualifications Review Board.
* Career excepted service (Non-Schedule C): Some appointments are in
agencies that are not subject to competitive examination requirements
in Title 5 of the U.S. Code. Agencies have authority to establish
their own hiring procedures to fill excepted service vacancies. Such
procedures must comply with statutory requirements such as merit
systems principles and veteran's preferences, when applicable. Other
appointments are to positions excepted from competitive examination
requirements by OPM, such as attorney and chaplain positions.
As mentioned previously, the majority of authorities and procedures
governing appointments to career positions are outlined in Title 5 of
the U.S. Code. Merit systems principles are one of the fundamental
statutory rules that apply to civil service appointments. These
principles require that agencies provide a selection process that is
fair, open, and based on skills, knowledge, and ability.[Footnote 10]
Another statutory requirement is the prohibition on certain personnel
practices, such as granting any individual a preference or advantage
in the application process, including defining the manner of
competition or requirements for a position to improve the prospects of
any particular applicant, or failing to fulfill veteran's preference
requirements.[Footnote 11] In addition to these statutory
requirements, agencies must follow OPM's regulations in Title 5 of the
Code of Federal Regulations, which also outline required procedures
for making appointments to career positions, such as providing public
notice of all vacancies in the career SES.[Footnote 12] For career
excepted service (non-Schedule C) positions, agencies are not required
to follow OPM's hiring regulations for the competitive service;
however, they must apply veteran's preference, follow merit system
principles, and OPM guidance on excepted service hiring when making
most of these appointments.[Footnote 13]
OPM also has oversight authority to ensure that federal agencies are
following the merit system principles when hiring. As one aspect of
carrying out these duties, OPM has traditionally required agencies to
seek its pre-appointment approval for the conversion of certain
noncareer appointees (Schedule C and Noncareer SES) into certain
career positions (competitive service and career SES) during a
presidential election review period. This review period is intended to
cover the time period when holders of political positions would seek
conversion to career positions. The specific duration of each
presidential election review period is defined every 4 years by OPM.
For the most recent presidential election, OPM defined the pre-
appointment review period from March 17, 2008, through January 20,
2009. In the past OPM did not include conversions to career excepted
service (non-Schedule C) positions in this pre-appointment review
process. However, OPM announced in a November 5, 2009, memorandum to
heads of executive departments and agencies that beginning, January 1,
2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can
appoint a current or recent[Footnote 14] political appointee to a
competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level
under the provisions of title 5, United States Code.
In our 2006 report on conversions, we recommended that OPM determine
whether conversions to career excepted service positions should be
subject to OPM review, and if so, determine what information agencies
should provide on such conversions. At that time, OPM responded that
it would incorporate a review of agency practices in this area during
its normal review of agency delegated examining units. According to
the November 2009 OPM memo, OPM will (1) review these proposed
appointments to ensure they comply with merit system principles and
applicable civil service laws and (2) will also continue to conduct
merit staffing reviews for all proposed career SES selections
involving a political appointee before the SES selections are
presented to OPM's Qualifications Review Board (QRB) for certification
of executive qualifications.
Agencies Made 139 Political to Career Conversions from May 2005
through May 2009:
Twenty-six of the 42 agencies we reviewed reported 139 conversions of
individuals from political to career positions from May 1, 2005,
through May 30, 2009.[Footnote 15] The other 16 agencies reported no
conversions during this period. Five agencies, the Departments of
Justice (DOJ), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the
Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Energy (Energy), and
the Department of Commerce (Commerce) accounted for 79, or 57 percent,
of the total 139 conversions reported, as seen in figure 1.
Figure 1: Departments and Selected Agencies with the Most Conversions:
[Refer to PDF for image: pie-chart]
21 Departments and selected agencies; 60 Conversions: 43%;
5 Departments; 79 Conversions: 57%:
- Department of Justice; 32 Conversions: 23%;
- Department of Homeland Security; 17 Conversions: 12%;
- Department of Defense; 14 Conversions: 9%;
- Department of Energy; 9 Conversions: 6%;
- Department of Commerce; 8 Conversions: 6%.
Source: GAO‘s analysis of data reported by departments and selected
agencies.
[End of figure]
Of the 139 reported conversions, individuals were converted from the
following categories of non career positions:
* 96 Schedule C positions,
* 28 noncareer SES positions,
* 8 presidential appointee positions,
* 4 legislative branch positions, and:
* 3 limited term SES positions.
The 139 reported conversions were made to the following categories of
career positions:
* 90 competitive service positions,
* 24 career SES positions, and:
* 25 career excepted service (non-Schedule C) positions.
Appendix III provides more detail on the characteristics of the
political and career positions to which the individuals were
converted, i.e., title or positions, grades, salaries, and appointment
dates.
Agencies Appeared to Have Used Appropriate Authorities and Proper
Procedures in Making the Majority of These Conversions:
One hundred and seventeen of the 139 conversions reported by the
agencies were at the GS-12 level or above and agencies appear to have
used appropriate authorities and followed proper procedures in making
the majority (92) of these 117 conversions. More specifically, for 92
of the 117 conversions at the GS-12 level and above, our review of the
merit staffing files and official personnel folders at the respective
agencies indicated that the agencies generally followed the procedural
requirements associated with each appointing authority called for by
federal law and regulations, including merit system principles such as
fair and open competition and fair and equitable treatment of
applicants. For example, agencies generally complied with the
competitive service examination process that is intended to ensure
that merit system principles are followed. The process includes
notifying the public that the government will accept applications for
a job, rating applications against minimum qualification standards and
assessing applicants' competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities
against job-related criteria to identify the most qualified applicants.
In Seven Conversions, Appropriate Authorities and Proper Procedures
May Not Have Been Followed:
For seven conversions, agencies may not have adhered to merit systems
principles or may have engaged in prohibited personnel practices or
other improprieties. Five of these appointments were career
competitive ones. The remaining two were appointments to the excepted
service. We found that most of these cases potentially involved one of
several categories of improper procedures. Each of these conversions
is discussed in more detail in appendix IV.
In three of the seven instances it appears agencies converted
individuals who appeared to have limited qualifications and/or
experience relevant to the career positions.
* In one case, it appears the Department of Veterans Affairs appointed
a Schedule C employee who lacked the specialized experience
requirements for the position.
* In one case, it appears the Department of the Treasury appointed a
Schedule C employee to a career position although he lacked the
required specialized experience.
* In one case it appears the Department of Justice appointed a
Schedule C appointee to a career position despite unfavorable
recommendations from interviewing officials.
In two instances, it appears agencies afforded unfair advantages to
applicants for career positions.
* It appears the Department of the Air Force pre-selected a Schedule C
appointee to a career position, giving the political appointee an
unfair advantage in the competitive process.
* The Office of Special Counsel did not follow its own attorney
recruitment and hiring procedures and noncompetitively converted the
political appointee. Both the official solely responsible for the
conversion (the former Special Counsel) and the convertee are both no
longer with the agency.
In one instance, an agency processed a conversion despite the
appearance that ethical standards may have been violated.
* The U.S. Marshals Service of the Department of Justice allowed a
political appointee to authorize the vacancy announcement for a career
position that the political appointee ultimately applied for and was
selected to. According to Justice, the agency's ethics officer is
gathering information on this conversion and, based on the information
she receives, her office will take the appropriate next steps.
The remaining case had other irregularities.
* The Department of Veterans Affairs advertised a career position as a
4-year term appointment but placed the selectee into a permanent
position.
OPM had no review role in these seven cases because none of the seven
conversions occurred during the OPM-specified presidential election
review period and none of the appointments were at the SES level.
In 18 Conversions, There Was Insufficient Information to Make a
Determination as to Whether Appropriate Authorities and Proper
Procedures Were Followed:
For 18 conversions, agencies did not provide enough information for us
to make a determination as to whether appropriate authorities and
proper procedures were followed. Thirteen of these conversions were to
competitive service positions and five were to career excepted service
(non-Schedule C) positions. OPM requires agencies to maintain records
of the rating, ranking, and selection process for competitive service
appointments, although these OPM documentation requirements do not
apply to excepted service appointments. For five of the cases
reviewed, because the conversions occurred more then 2 years prior to
our review, agencies told us they were no longer required to maintain
the records documenting the conversion. However, in the remaining
cases within the 2-year time period where there was insufficient
information to make a determination, agencies, despite our repeated
attempts to obtain certain documents, did not provide enough
documentation for us to fully assess the process they used to make the
conversion. This raises questions about the degree to which the
agencies kept records of these important personnel actions. The unique
hiring procedures and limited documentation requirements for excepted
service positions contributed to our having insufficient information
to reconstruct agencies' decision-making process in the five excepted
service appointments. More details on these conversions can be found
in appendix V.
Conclusions:
As we have stated in previous reports, the ability to convert
political employees to career positions is an appropriate and valuable
means of achieving a highly skilled workforce. We found that the
departments and selected agencies used appropriate authorities and
followed proper procedures in making the majority of conversions at
the GS-12 level or higher. Five of the seven conversions we reviewed
raised questions and should be reviewed further by OPM. OPM should
review these conversions and take action as appropriate because the
circumstances surrounding each could give the appearance of favoritism
or preference. OPM's recently established policy requiring agencies to
seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or
recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted
service position at any level should help better ensure that these
conversions are meeting merit system principles and applicable civil
service laws.
One of the conversion actions we reviewed which raised questions
presents issues that are not within the purview of OPM's authority.
The U.S. Marshal Service's conversion presents a potential violation
of ethical standards, which is not within OPM's authority to address
but is a matter appropriate for review by the Department of Justice's
ethics office. According to Justice, the agency's ethics officer is
gathering information on the conversion and, based on the information
she receives, her office will take the appropriate next steps:
A final conversion action we reviewed which was problematic--involving
the Office of Special Counsel--does not warrant further action in our
view as both the official solely responsible for the conversion (the
former Special Counsel) and the convertee are both no longer with the
agency.
Recommendation(s) for Executive Action:
To help ensure that federal agencies are adhering to merit system
principles and following proper procedures in making conversions of
political to career positions, we recommend that the Director, OPM:
* review five conversions we identified where it appears that certain
agencies did not adhere to merit system principles, did not follow
proper procedures, or engaged in other improprieties in making these
conversions and determine whether additional actions are needed.
Agency Comments and Our Evaluation:
We obtained comments on a draft of this report from the Director of
OPM. OPM agreed with our recommendation to review the five cases we
identified where agencies did not appear to use the appropriate
authorities or adhere to merit system principles. In addition, OPM
provided technical clarifications to our draft, which we incorporated
as appropriate.
We provided the Department of Justice with a draft of our report for
comment. The draft report recommended that the Justice ethics officer
should review the conversion we identified where it appears that
ethical standards may have been violated. In response to our draft
recommendation, Justice's ethics officer is gathering information on
the conversion, and based on the information she receives, her office
will take the appropriate next steps. Because Justice's ethics officer
is taking the recommended action to review the conversion, we are no
longer making the recommendation to the Department of Justice.
The Department of Justice, the Office of Special Counsel, the
Department of the Treasury, and the Department of Veterans Affairs
provided technical clarifications to the discussion of their
respective conversions, which we incorporated as appropriate.
We are sending copies of this report to the Director of the Office of
Personnel Management and other interested parties. In addition, the
report will be available at no charge on GAO's Web site at [hyperlink,
http://www.gao.gov].
If you or your staffs have questions about this report, please contact
me at (202) 512-6806 or ekstrandl@gao.gov. Contact points for our
Office of Congressional Relations and Public Affairs may be found on
the last page of this report. GAO staff who made major contributions
to this report are listed in appendix VI.
Signed by:
Laurie E. Ekstrand:
Director, Strategic Issues:
List of Congressional Requesters:
The Honorable Tom Harkin:
Chairman:
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:
United States Senate:
The Honorable Joseph I. Lieberman:
Chairman:
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs:
United States Senate:
The Honorable Edolphus Towns:
Chairman:
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform:
House of Representatives:
The Honorable Daniel K. Akaka:
Chairman:
Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, The Federal
Workforce and the District of Columbia:
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs:
United States Senate:
The Honorable Stephen F. Lynch:
Chairman:
Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of
Columbia:
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform:
House of Representatives:
The Honorable Dianne Feinstein:
United States Senate:
The Honorable Charles E. Schumer:
United States Senate:
The Honorable Danny K. Davis:
House of Representatives:
[End of section]
Appendix I: Executive Branch Departments and Select Agencies Covered
in This Review and Their Number of Conversions:
1. Department of Agriculture--6:
2. Department of Commerce--8:
3. Department of Defense (Office of the Secretary, Air Force, Army,
and Navy)--13:
4. Department of Education--4:
5. Department of Energy--9:
6. Department of Heath and Human Services--1:
7. Department of Homeland Security--17:
8. Department of Housing and Urban Development--2:
9. Department of the Interior--6:
10. Department of Justice--32:
11. Department of Labor--6:
12. Department of State--3:
13. Department of Transportation--0:
14. Department of the Treasury--5:
15. Department of Veterans Affairs--5:
16. Commission on Civil Rights--0:
17. Commodity Futures Trading Commission--3:
18. Consumer Product Safety Commission--2:
19. Corporation for National and Community Service--0:
20. Environmental Protection Agency--2:
21. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission--0:
22. Export-Import Bank of the United States--0:
23. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation--0:
24. Federal Labor Relations Authority--0:
25. Federal Maritime Commission--1:
26. Federal Trade Commission--0:
27. General Services Administration--1:
28. U.S. International Trade Commission--1:
29. Merit Systems Protection Board--0:
30. National Aeronautics and Space Administration--1:
31. National Labor Relations Board--0:
32. Office of Government Ethics--0:
33. Office of Management and Budget--0:
34. Office of Personnel Management--0:
35. Office of Special Counsel--2:
36. Office of the U.S. Trade Representative--0:
37. Overseas Private Investment Corporation--0:
38. Peace Corps--0:
39. Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation--2:
40. Securities and Exchange Commission--3:
41. Small Business Administration--2:
42. Social Security Administration--3:
[End of section]
Appendix II: Scope and Methodology:
For the purpose of this review, we defined political appointees as
those who had an appointment in one of six categories of positions.
These appointments were: Schedule C, Noncareer SES, Limited Term SES,
Limited Emergency SES, Presidential appointees, and Noncareer
legislative branch. Individuals holding political positions may have
previously held career positions. We excluded from our review
conversions from limited term SES and limited emergency SES where the
appointee was a career employee prior to being appointed to the
noncareer position from which they were converted. We identified three
categories of career positions appointments; Career-Conditional/Career
(competitive service), Career (SES), Career Excepted Service (Non-
Schedule C). Definitions of these political and career positions can
be found in the background section of this report. We also reviewed
our prior work on conversions for information on these position
categories.
The criteria used to select the executive branch departments and
agencies for this review were (1) all cabinet-level departments and
(2) agencies that had oversight or other regular responsibilities for
federal workforce issues. In addition, to get a further variation of
federal agency experiences, we considered the size, mission, and type
of workforce to select additional agencies for our review. Under these
criteria, we identified 42 departments and agencies. These are listed
in appendix I.
To determine the number of employees who converted from political to
career positions, we asked the 42 departments and agencies to first
complete a data collection instrument (DCI) for the conversions made
from May 1, 2005, through May 30, 2009. Using the DCI, we asked the 42
agencies to provide information about the career positions to which
the individuals were converted, i.e., the position title, the job
series, pay grade, and date of appointment. We also asked the agencies
to provide the title of the appointee's former position. In addition,
we asked the departments and agencies to provide the related Standard
Form 50 for all appointments. These forms provide the official record
of a personnel action. We used the Form 50s to obtain information
about each appointee's prior position, such as annual salary, and to
verify all conversions and the information that the agencies provided
on the DCI.
We verified the number of conversions reported by the agencies with
agency officials for the period from May 1, 2005, through May 30,
2009, including those that reported no conversions during this period.
During our review, we also cross-referenced conversions the agencies
reported to us that were made during the presidential election review
period from March 17, 2008, through January 20, 2009, with the
information agencies reported to OPM during the same period. According
to OPM, it received and reviewed 16 proposed conversions during the
period.
We reviewed the authorities used and procedures followed for
conversions at the GS-12 level and above. When a conversion was to a
position not covered by the General Schedule system or the Senior
Executive Service, we determined whether the position was equivalent
to or above GS-12 by comparing the salary reported in the official
personnel folder to the General Schedule pay table in effect for the
location of the position at the time of the conversion to see if it
equaled or exceeded the pay table salary at GS-12 step 1. For
conversions at SEC, we based our decision on whether the eligibility
requirements in the vacancy announcement required GS-11 or higher
grade. We first identified the authority that the agency cited for the
appointment on the SF-50 and verified that it was the appointment
authority for that conversion. We also examined the contents of the
individual's official personnel folder (OPF), and when appropriate,
the announcement case files to determine if there was evidence that
the criteria for using the authority were met.
To determine if proper procedures were followed, we reviewed
announcement case files and OPFs to determine what steps were taken in
the application and conversion process. Announcement case files
document promotion and hiring decisions for specific career
appointments. The OPF contains SF-50s and records from individuals'
previous appointments, including former career positions. If we had
questions concerning a conversion, we interviewed officials at the
appointing agency and requested documentation to support their
statements. We compared the procedures used in the conversion process
to the federal personnel laws and regulations contained in Title 5 of
the U.S. Code and Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations. We also
referred to agencies' merit staffing plans. We based our analysis on
our review of documents within the case file and additional supporting
documents provided by the agency in response to our questions.
We were aided in this appraisal of the circumstances by the knowledge
gained from past work on the subject and by our internal review
process, which included the examination of the conversions reported to
us by attorneys experienced in the application of federal personnel
law. Multiple reviewers applied their professional judgment after
reviewing the appropriate laws and regulations and the circumstances
of each case. To ensure inter-rater reliability, the reviews were done
independently and the results later discussed by the reviewers to
reach consensus on the appropriateness of each appointment. In
addition, we gave a draft of case summaries to the respective agencies
that made the appointments and asked them to provide any corrections,
clarifications, or explanations that they believed were appropriate to
our understanding of the circumstances. We incorporated their
clarifications to the case summaries as appropriate.
Agencies are not required to follow OPM's competitive hiring guidance
for career excepted service positions and can establish their own
hiring procedures for these positions. We requested and, when
available, obtained and reviewed copies of the hiring procedures from
each agency reporting using this authority to determine if proper
procedures were followed. Specifically, we requested additional
information from the departments of Defense, Justice (DOJ), Treasury,
the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the Consumer Product
Safety Commission (CPSC), the Federal Maritime Commission, and the
Office of Special Counsel. We also met with the Department of
Justice's Director of Attorney Recruitment and Management to discuss
the process DOJ uses to convert individuals to Excepted Service (Non-
Schedule C) positions. DOJ, and the Department of Treasury provided
GAO with written procedures.
We conducted this performance audit in Washington, D.C., from July
2008 through June 2010 in accordance with generally accepted
government auditing standards. These standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain sufficient, appropriate evidence to
provide a reasonable basis for our findings and conclusions based on
our audit objectives. We believe that the evidence obtained provides a
reasonable basis for our findings and conclusions based on our audit
objectives.
[End of section]
Appendix III: Political Appointees Converted to Career Positions by
Departments and Selected Agencies from May 1, 2005, through April 30,
2009:
Department of Agriculture:
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Deputy Assistant
Secretary for Congressional Relations; Office of the Secretary;
Department of Agriculture;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Noncareer SES; ES-301-00/00; $158,000;
Career Position: Title and office: Supervisory Agricultural Economist;
Agricultural Marketing Service;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0110-15/10; $143,471;
Career Position: Date converted: 5/27/2007.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Media Relations
Specialist; Office of Communication; Department of the Interior;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-15/04; $126,850;
Career Position: Title and office: Public Affairs Specialist;
Farm Service Agency Department of Agriculture;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-1035-13/10; $107,854;
Career Position: Date converted: 9/28/2008.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Special Assistant to
Director; Deputy Administrator for Operations and Management; Office
of Communications; Department of Agriculture;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-15/04; $126,850;
Career Position: Title and office: Legislative Affairs Program Manager;
Deputy Administrator for Operations and Management Office of
Communications;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0301-14/10; $127,442;
Career Position: Date converted: 9/14/2008.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Confidential Assistant;
Rural Business-Cooperative Service; Office of the Administrator;
Department of Agriculture;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-09/01; $50,408;
Career Position: Title and office: Loan Specialist;
Rural Housing Service; Rural Development Office of the Alaska State
Director Rural Business and Cooperative Development Service;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-1165-09; $40,949;
Career Position: Date converted: 1/18/2009.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Confidential Assistant
Office of the Secretary; Department of Agriculture;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-11/02; $60,146;
Career Position: Title and office: Program Analyst;
Agricultural Research Service;
Office of the Administrator;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0343-12/1; $73,100;
Career Position: Date converted: 1/18/2009.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Director Food and
Nutrition Service Department of Agriculture;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-15/10; $149,000;
Career Position: Title and office: Deputy Director Communications and
Governmental Affairs;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0301-15/10; $153,200;
Career Position: Date converted: 1/18/2009.
Department of Commerce:
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Associate Director for
Communications; Bureau of the Census; Department of Commerce;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Noncareer SES; ES-0301-00; $145,856;
Career Position: Title and office: Director of Congressional Relations;
Patent and Trademark Office;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: ES-0301-00; $145,856;
Career Position: Date converted: 6/18/2006.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Senior Advisor;
Minority Business Development Agency; Department of Commerce;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-14/04; $100,547;
Career Position: Title and office: Budget Analyst;
Budget Office; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-14/04; $100,547;
Career Position: Date converted: 3/19/2006.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Senior Policy Advisor;
Office of the Secretary; Department of Commerce;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-14/01; $91,315;
Career Position: Title and office: Fish Management Specialist;
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; National Marine
Fisheries Services;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0560-14; $100,000;
Career Position: Date converted: 9/18/2005.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Policy Advisor;
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Department of
Commerce;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-13/04; $87,338;
Career Position: Title and office: Policy Analyst;
Office of the Assistant Administrator; National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0301-14/01; $93,822;
Career Position: Date converted: 4/15/2007.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Senior Policy Advisor;
Office of the Director; Bureau of the Census; Department of Commerce;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-15/04; $118,272;
Career Position: Title and office: Chief Policy Officer;
Bureau of the Census;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0301-15/04; $118,272;
Career Position: Date converted: 7/9/2006.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Special Assistant;
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy; Department of Labor;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-15/10; $135,136;
Career Position: Title and office: Assistant to the Associate;
Director for Communications; Bureau of the Census;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0301-15/10; $135,136;
Career Position: Date converted: 6/27/2005.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Professional Staff
Member; Senate Committee on Appropriations; United States Senate;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Noncareer Legislative Branch; $131,000;
Career Position: Title and office: Management and Program Analyst;
Office of the Chief of Staff National Institute of; Standards and
Technology;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: ZA-0343-V/02; $138,000;
Career Position: Date converted: 7/6/2008.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Senior Advisor;
Office of the Secretary; Department of Energy;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Noncareer SES; ES-0301-00/00; $123,369;
Career Position: Title and office: International Relations Specialist;
Data and Information Service; International and Interagency Affairs
Office; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: ZA-0131-03; $90,698;
Career Position: Date converted: 11/26/2008.
Department of Defense:
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Personal and
Confidential Assistant; Department of the Army;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-09/01; $44,856;
Career Position: Title and office: Budget Analyst; Business Management
Office Integrated Materiel; Management Center; U.S. Army Aviation and
Missile Command;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0560-07/08; $44,470;
Career Position: Date converted: 5/29/2007.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Senior Advisor for
Communications; Department of State;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-15; $149,000;
Career Position: Title and office: Director; Defense Media Activity
Office of Public Affairs; Office of the Secretary of Defense;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: ES-0301-00/00; $162,900;
Career Position: Date converted: 3/30/2009.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Defense Fellow;
Washington Headquarters Services; Miscellaneous Activities Fellows;
Department of Defense;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-13/02; $82,044;
Career Position: Title and office: Program Analyst;
Homeland Defense and American Security Affairs;
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Security Plans and
Management; Office of the Secretary of Defense;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0343-13/02; $82,044;
Career Position: Date converted: 1/7/2007.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Personal and
Confidential Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-12/10; $90,698;
Career Position: Title and office: Legislative Analyst; Office of the
Assistant; Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs; Legislative
Operations Division; Office of the Secretary of Defense;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: YA-0301-02/00; $95,232;
Career Position: Date converted: 1/7/2008.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Speechwriter;
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs; Writers Group;
Office of the Secretary of Defense;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-15/10; $139,774;
Career Position: Title and office: Special Assistant;
Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller); Deputy Under Secretary of
Defense for Budget and Appropriations Affairs; Office of the Secretary
of Defense;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0301-15/10; $139,774;
Career Position: Date converted: 5/28/2006.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Deputy for Policy;
Iraq Support Office; Washington Headquarters Services; Miscellaneous
Activities; Boards/Commissions/Task Forces; Defense Reconstruction
Support Office; Office of the Secretary of Defense;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Limited Term SES; ES-0301-00/00; $152,000;
Career Position: Title and office: Foreign Relations and Defense
Policy Manager; Assistant Secretary of Defense for International
Security Policy; Office of the Secretary of Defense;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: ES-0301-00/00; $152,000;
Career Position: Date converted: 8/6/2006.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Attorney Advisor
General to the Chairman; Merit Systems Protection Board;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0905-15/10; $143,471;
Career Position: Title and office: Deputy General Counsel for Fiscal,
Ethics, and Civilian Personnel; Department of the Air Force;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: ES-0905-00/00; 157,940;
Career Position: Date converted: 8/17/2008.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Deputy Director for
Office of Federal Contracts Compliance; Department of Labor;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Noncareer SES; ES-0340-00/00; $170,654;
Career Position: Title and office: Attorney; Department of the Air
Force;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: YA-0905-03/00; 150,000;
Career Position: Date converted: 10/12/1008.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Staff Assistant;
Special Assistant for White House Liaison; Department of the Air Force;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-07/01; $35,452;
Career Position: Title and office: Legislative and Public Affairs
Liaison; Office of Legislative Affairs; Department of the Air Force;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: YA-0301-02/00; $79,397;
Career Position: Date converted: 9/4/2007.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Deputy Assistant
Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety, and Occupational Health);
Department of the Army;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Noncareer SES; ES-0301-00/00; $164,879;
Career Position: Title and office: Deputy Assistant Secretary of the
Army (Environment, Safety, and Occupational Health); Department of the
Army;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: ES-0301-00/00; $164,879;
Career Position: Date converted: 6/22/2008.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Special Assistant to
the Assistant; Secretary for the Army for Installations and
Environment; Department of the Army;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-14/02; $101,301;
Career Position: Title and office: Program Analyst;
Office of the Deputy Assistant; Secretary of the Army for
Installations and Housing; Department of the Army;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: YA-0343-03/00; $106,365;
Career Position: Date converted: 3/2/2008.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Assistant for Water
Resources Policy; Office of the Secretary of the Army; Office of the
Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works; Department of the
Army;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-15/05; $121,856;
Career Position: Title and office: Assistant for Water;
Resources Legislation; Office of the Secretary of Army; Department of
the Army;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0301-15/05; $121,856;
Career Position: Date converted: 12/10/2006.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: President; Marine Corps
University; Marine Corps; Department of the Navy;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Limited Term SES; ES-1720-00/00; $154,582;
Career Position: Title and office: President; Marine Corps University;
Marine Core Combat; Development Command; Department of the Navy;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: ES-1720-00/00; $154,582;
Career Position: Date converted: 5/13/2007.
Department of Education:
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Confidential Assistant;
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Department of
Education;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C GS-0301-11/01 $48,206;
Career Position: Title and office: Personal Assistant;
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0303-09/08; $59,338;
Career Position: Date converted: 11/24/2008.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Confidential Assistant;
Office of Communications Outreach; Department of Education;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-12/-01; $66,767;
Career Position: Title and office: Management and Program Analyst;
Office of Vocational and Adult Education;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0343-13/01; $79,397;
Career Position: Date converted: 8/19/2007.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Special Assistant;
Office of Special Education Rehabilitative Services; Rehabilitation
Services Administration; Department of Education;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-03101-15/10; $139,774;
Career Position: Title and office: Supervisory Management/Program
Analyst; Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services;
Rehabilitation Services Administration;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0301-15/10; $139,774;
Career Position: Date converted: 11/12/2006.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Special Assistant;
Office of Postsecondary Education; Department of Education;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-13/01; $79,397;
Career Position: Title and office: Senior Communications Analyst;
Communications, Reporting, and Analysis Services; Communications and
Administration; Office of Federal Student Aid;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: AD-0301-00/00; $93,822;
Career Position: Date converted: 12/9/2007.
Department of Energy:
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Chief of Staff;
Office of Science; Immediate Office of the Director; Department of
Energy;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Noncareer SES; ES-0301-00/00; $172,200;
Career Position: Title and office: Deputy Director for Resource
Management; Office of Science; Immediate Office of the Director;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: ES-0301-00/00; $172,200;
Career Position: Date converted: 7/20/2008.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Deputy Assistant
Secretary for Budget and Appropriations; Office of Congressional
Intergovernmental Affairs; Department of Energy;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Noncareer SES; ES-0301-00/00; $143,976;
Career Position: Title and office: Director; Office of the Executive
Secretariat; Office of Management;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: ES-0301-00/00; $152,614;
Career Position: Date converted: 6/8/2008.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Special Assistant;
Office of Management; Department of Energy;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-15/05; $130,694;
Career Position: Title and office: Management Analyst; Office of
Management; Office of Engineering and Construction Management;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0343-14/10; $127,442;
Career Position: Date converted: 3/16/2008.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Special Assistant;
Office of Science; Office of the Deputy Director for Field Operations;
Department of Energy;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-07/01; $37,640;
Career Position: Title and office: Program Assistant (Office
Automation); Office of the Deputy Director for Resource Management;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0303-07/03; $40,150;
Career Position: Date converted: 11/25/2007.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Special Assistant;
Immediate Office of the Assistant; Secretary for Policy and
International Affairs; Department of Energy;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-15/06; $140,969;
Career Position: Title and office: Policy Analyst;
Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0301-15/06; $140,969;
Career Position: Date converted: 1/21/2009.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Director of
Intergovernmental and Tribal Affairs; Assistant Secretary for
Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs; Department of Energy;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-13/02; $89,825;
Career Position: Title and office: Public Participation Specialist;
Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0301-13/02; $89,825;
Career Position: Date converted: 1/21/2009.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Web Content Manager;
Chief Information Officer Immediate Office of the Chief; Information
Officer; Department of Energy;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-11/03; $65,053;
Career Position: Title and office: Information Technology Specialist
(Internet); Systems Development and Engineering Office; Office of the
Chief; Information Officer;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-2210-11/03; $65,053;
Career Position: Date converted: 1/21/2009.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Assistant Secretary for;
Environmental Management; Office of the Assistant Secretary;
Department of Energy;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Presidential Appointee; EX-0301-04/00; $172,200;
Career Position: Title and office: Senior Project Manager;
Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management; Office of Project
Recovery;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0340-00/00; $172,200;
Career Position: Date converted: 11/23/2008.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Senior Policy Advisor;
Immediate Office of the Under Secretary for Science; Office of the
Secretary of Energy; Department of Energy;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-15/05; $136,941;
Career Position: Title and office: Senior Policy Advisor;
Office of the Secretary of Energy;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0301-15/05; $136,941;
Career Position: Date converted: 1/21/2009.
Department of Health and Human Services:
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Confidential Assistant;
Office of Assistant Secretary for Public; Office of the Secretary of
Health and Human Services;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-09/02; $49,712;
Career Position: Title and office: Public Affairs Specialist;
Office of Assistant Secretary for Public Deputy Assistant Secretary
Public Affairs;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-1412-11/01; $58,206;
Career Position: Date converted: 1/20/2008.
Department of Homeland Security:
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Deputy Assistant
Secretary; Office of the Assistant Secretary Bureau of Population,
Refugees, and Migration; Department of State;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Noncareer SES; ES-0130-00/00; $175,507;
Career Position: Title and office: Supervisory Immigration Officer;
Citizenship and Immigration Services; National Security and Records
Verification; Fraud Detection and National Security Division;
National Security Branch;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-1801-15/10; $153,200;
Career Position: Date converted: 3/29/2009.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Legislative Management
Officer; Bureau of Legislative Affairs Department of State;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-11; $60,989;
Career Position: Title and office: Correspondence Analyst;
Office of the Executive Secretariat;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0301-11/01; $60,989;
Career Position: Date converted: 3/30/2009.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Policy Analyst;
Assistant Secretary of Policy Immediate Office of the Secretary;
Department of Homeland Security;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-12/01; $73,100;
Career Position: Title and office: Regional Affairs Specialist;
Assistant Secretary of Policy; Immediate Office of Secretary;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0301-13; $86,927;
Career Position: Date converted: 4/12/2009.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Director;
Transition and Transformation Strategic Planning and Evaluation;
Office of the Under Secretary; Federal Emergency Management Agency;
Department of Homeland Security;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-14/02; $101,301;
Career Position: Title and office: Supervisory Program Specialist;
National Preparedness Directorate; Federal Emergency Management Agency;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0301-14/02; $101,301;
Career Position: Date converted: 8/3/2008.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Deputy Assistant
Secretary; Office of Assistant Secretary; Bureau of Western
Hemispheric Affairs; Department of State;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Noncareer SES; ES-0130-00/00; $156,374;
Career Position: Title and office: Director; International Affairs and
Foreign Policy Advisor; Office of the Commandant of the Coast Guard;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: ES-0131-00/00; $158,500;
Career Position: Date converted: 10/12/2008.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Associate Director of
Strategic; Communications Headquarters; Department of Homeland
Security;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-13/02; $82,961;
Career Position: Title and office: Emergency Management Specialist;
National Capital Region Coordination; Federal Emergency Management
Agency;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0301-13/02; $82,961;
Career Position: Date converted: 10/26/2008.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Special Assistant for
Security; Office of the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis;
Department of Homeland Security;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-15/07; $117,630;
Career Position: Title and office: Supervisory Intelligence;
Operations Specialist; Office of the Under Secretary; Office of
Intelligence and Analysis;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0132-15/07; $124,740;
Career Position: Date converted: 5/15/2005.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Policy Analyst;
DHS Intelligence Analysis; Immediate Office of the Secretary Assistant
Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis; Department of Homeland
Security;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-13; $79,397;
Career Position: Title and office: Intelligence Operations Specialist;
Office of the Secretary; Assistant Secretary Intelligence Analysis;
Director Current Intelligence;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0132-14/01; $93,822;
Career Position: Date converted: 6/10/2007.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Advisor for
Intelligence; Immigration and Customs Enforcement; Office of the
Assistant Secretary; Department of Homeland Security;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-15/03; $117,721;
Career Position: Title and office: Intelligence Operations Specialist;
Assistant Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis; Assistant Deputy
Secretary for Mission Integration; Director for Plans and Integration;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0132-14/09; $118,840;
Career Position: Date converted: 7/22/2007.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Assistant Press
Secretary; Immediate Office of the Secretary Office of Public Affairs;
Department of Homeland Security;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-13/01; $77,353;
Career Position: Title and office: Policy Analyst;
Immediate Office of Secretary; Assistant Secretary for Policy
Assistant Secretary for Strategic Plans/Deputy Assistant Secretary;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0301-13/01; $79,397;
Career Position: Date converted: 6/24/2007.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Policy Analyst;
Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security;
Department of Homeland Security;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0310-11/01; $49,479;
Career Position: Title and office: Supervisory Program Analyst;
Immediate Office of Secretary; Office of the Secretary and Executive
Management; Executive Secretariat;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0343-13/02; $82,044;
Career Position: Date converted: 9/2/2007.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Confidential Assistant
& Special Assistant; Executive Office of the President; Office of
Management and Budget;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-301-12/03;
Career Position: Title and office: Congressional Affairs Specialist;
Immediate Office of the Secretary; Office of Legislative Affairs;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0301-13/01; $86,927;
Career Position: Date converted: 1/22/09.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Assistant Director of
Legislative Affairs; Immediate Office of the Secretary; Office of the
Secretary Executive Management; Office of Legislative Affairs;
Department of Homeland Security;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-15/05; $113,597;
Career Position: Title and office: Management and Program Analyst;
Immediate Office of the Secretary; Office of the Secretary and
Executive Management; Executive Secretariat;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0343-15/08; $136,114;
Career Position: Date converted: 10/28/2007.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Director;
Office of Research Development; Office of the Under Secretary for
Science and Technology; Department of Homeland Security;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Noncareer SES; ES-0301-00/04; $165,200;
Career Position: Title and office: Director;
Weapons of Mass Destruction Office of Intelligence and Analysis;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: ES-0132-00/00; $165,200;
Career Position: Date converted: 9/16/2007.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Chief of Staff;
Office of the Under Secretary for Science and Technology;
Department of Homeland Security;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Noncareer SES; ES-0301-00/00; $159,500;
Career Position: Title and office: Deputy Under Secretary for Science
and Technology; Office of the Under Secretary for Science and
Technology;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: ES-0340-00/00; $159,500;
Career Position: Date converted: 4/27/2008.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Senior Liaison Officer;
DHS/Executive Secretariat; Department of Homeland Security;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-09/01; $46,041;
Career Position: Title and office: Correspondence Analyst Immediate
Office of Secretary; Executive Secretariat;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0301-09/01; $46,041;
Career Position: Date converted: 10/28/2007.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Confidential Assistant;
Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations; Office of the
Secretary; Department of Agriculture;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-13/01; $82,961;
Career Position: Title and office: Chemical, Biological, Radiological,
and Nuclear Element (CBRNE) Program Specialist; Federal Emergency
Management Agency;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0301-12/07; $83,720;
Career Position: Date converted: 8/31/08.
Department of Housing and Urban Development:
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Administrator of the
Manufactured Housing Program; Department of Housing and Urban
Development;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-15/06; $124,740;
Career Position: Title and office: Supervisory Housing Program Manager;
Office of Housing;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-1101-15/07; $124,740;
Career Position: Date converted: 5/29/2005.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Field Management
Officer; Department of Housing and Urban Development;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-15/04; $146,555;
Career Position: Title and office: Field Office Director;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0301-15/08; $137,839;
Career Position: Date converted: 5/1/2009.
Department of the Interior:
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Assistant Director of
Communications (Press Secretary); Bureau of Land Management;
Office of the Director; Department of the Interior;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-15/04; $118,272;
Career Position: Title and office: Program Manager/Assistant Director
Communications; Bureau of Land Management; Office of the Director;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0304-15/04; $118,272;
Career Position: Date converted: 1/8/2006.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Director; Community
Relations Service; Department of Justice;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Presidential Appointee; EX-0301-04/00; $145,400;
Career Position: Title and office: Director; Office of Self-Governance;
Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Indian Affairs;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: ES-0340-00-00; $148,160;
Career Position: Date converted: 1/21/2007.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Associate Solicitor;
Indian Affairs; Office of the Solicitor; Department of the Interior;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Noncareer SES; ES-0905/00/00; $136,917;
Career Position: Title and office: Deputy Bureau Director;
Office of Law Enforcement Services; Bureau of Indian Affairs;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: ES-1811-00/00; $142,394;
Career Position: Date converted: 8/7/2005.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Deputy Assistant
Attorney General; Office of the Assistant Attorney General; Department
of Justice;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Noncareer SES; ES-0905-00/00; $159,000;
Career Position: Title and office: Deputy Associate Solicitor for
Mineral Resources; Office of the Solicitor;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: ES-0905-00/00; $168,000;
Career Position: Date converted: 7/22/2007.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Special Assistant,
Bureau of Land Management; Department of the Interior;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-13/03; $84,691;
Career Position: Title and office: Program Specialist; Bureau of Land
Management;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0301-13/03; $84,691;
Career Position: Date converted: 8/5/2007.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Special Assistant to
the Deputy; Director for External Affairs; Office of the Director;
National Park Service; Department of the Interior;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-14/01; $88,369;
Career Position: Title and office: Student Trainee (Business
Management); Intermountain Region; National Park Service;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-1199-11/01 $53,409;
Career Position: Date converted: 12/25/2005.
Department of Justice:
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: United States Marshall
District of Nebraska; United States Marshals Service; Department of
Justice;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Presidential Appointee; GS-0082-15/10; $136,273;
Career Position: Title and office: Criminal Investigator; Judicial
Security Division; Office of Protective Operations; United States
Marshals Service; Washington D.C.;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-1811-13/10; $126,144;
Career Position: Date converted: 7/6/2008.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Supervisory Criminal
Investigator; Superior Court; United States Marshals Service;
Department of Justice;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Presidential Appointee; SL-0082-00/00; $149,000;
Career Position: Title and office: Criminal Investigator; Human
Resources Division; Training Academy; United States Marshals Service;
Arlington, Virginia;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-1811-15/10; $149,000;
Career Position: Date converted: 5/11/2008.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: United States Marshall,
Georgia-Middle; United States Marshals Service; Department of Justice;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Presidential Appointee; GS-0082-15/10; $140,355;
Career Position: Title and office: Supervisory Criminal Investigator,
Georgia-Middle; Enforcement Division; United States Marshals Service;
(Macon Georgia);
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-1811-14/10; $140,037;
Career Position: Date converted: 2/3/2008.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Deputy Assistant
Attorney General and Chief of Staff; Office of Legal Policy;
Department of Justice;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Noncareer SES; ES-0905-00/00; $128,000;
Career Position: Title and office: Attorney Advisor; Office of Legal
Policy; Office of Legal Counsel; Washington, D.C.;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0905-15/06; $128,757;
Career Position: Date converted: 12/23/2007.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Special Assistant;
Office of Justice Programs; Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
Prevention; Office of the Administrator; Department of Justice;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-11/01; $52,468;
Career Position: Title and office: Grant Program Specialist; Office of
Justice Programs; Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
Prevention; Office of the Administrator; Washington, D.C.;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-1101-12/02; $68,993;
Career Position: Date converted: 5/13/2007.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Special Assistant to
the Assistant Attorney General; Civil Rights Division; Office of the
Assistant Attorney General; Department of Justice;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0905-14/01; $93,822;
Career Position: Title and office: Assistant U.S. Attorney;
Executive Office for United States Attorneys; Southern District-
Florida;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: AD-0905-24/00; $73,819;
Career Position: Date converted: 1/7/2007.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Deputy Administrator;
Office of Justice Programs; Department of Justice;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0340-15/04; $121,856;
Career Position: Title and office: Assistant U.S. Attorney for The
District of Columbia; Executive Office for United States Attorneys;
Washington, D.C.;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: AD-0905-29/00; $118,272;
Career Position: Date converted: 11/12/2006.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Counsel; Executive
Office Immigration Review; Department of Justice;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Noncareer Legislative Branch;
Career Position: Title and office: Immigration Judge;
Office of the Chief Immigration Judge; Executive Office of Immigration
Review (York, Pennsylvania);
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: IJ-0905-00/01; $117,618;
Career Position: Date converted: 11/2/2006.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Special Assistant to
the Attorney General; Criminal Division; Department of Justice;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0905-15/10; $139,774;
Career Position: Title and office: Immigration Judge; Office of the
Chief Immigration Judge; Executive Office Immigration Review (Arizona);
Department of Justice;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: IJ-0905-00/04; $148,202;
Career Position: Date converted: 4/2/2006.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Special Assistant to
the Attorney General; Senior Counsel for Voting Reform; Civil Rights
Division; Department of Justice;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0905-15/10; $139,774;
Career Position: Title and office: Immigration Judge; Office of the
Chief Immigration Judge (Miami); Executive Office for Immigration
Review;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: IJ-0905-00/03; $151,223;
Career Position: Date converted: 2/5/2006.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Deputy Associate
Attorney General; Office of the Associate Attorney General; Department
of Justice;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Noncareer SES; ES-0905-00/03; $147,500;
Career Position: Title and office: Immigration Judge; Office of the
Chief Immigration Judge; Executive Office for Immigration Review
(Baltimore);
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: IJ-0905-00/04; $152,000;
Career Position: Date converted: 1/8/2006.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Director; Bureau of
Justice Statistics; Office of Justice Programs; Department of Justice;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Presidential Appointee; EX-1530-04/00; $138,200;
Career Position: Title and office: Deputy Director for Planning;
Planning Office; Office of Director; Bureau of Justice Assistance;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: ES-0340-00/00; $148,400;
Career Position: Date converted: 1/5/2006.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Attorney Advisor
(Special Assistant); Environmental Natural Resources Division;
Office of the Assistant Attorney General; Department of Justice;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0905-15/02; $107,413;
Career Position: Title and office: Assistant U.S. Attorney; United
States Attorney's Office; Missoula Branch Office;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: AD-0905-25/00; $70,000;
Career Position: Date converted: 10/16/2005.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Senior Advisor to the
Assistant Deputy Administrator; Small Business Administration;
Office of Entrepreneurial Development; Department of Justice;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-15/10; $135,136;
Career Position: Title and office: Immigration Judge; Executive Office
for Immigration Review; Office of the Chief Immigration Judge;
Chicago Immigration Court;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: IJ-0905-00/03; $149,200;
Career Position: Date converted: 10/2/2005.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: U.S. Attorney;
Charlotte Headquarters; Department of Justice;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Presidential Appointee; AD-0905-40/00; $153,200;
Career Position: Title and office: Attorney Advisor; Western Charlotte
Headquarters;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0905-15/10; $153,200;
Career Position: Date converted: 3/15/2009.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Attorney Advisor;
Drug Enforcement Task Force; Department of Justice;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Presidential Appointee; AD-0905-40/00; $153,200;
Career Position: Title and office: Attorney-Advisor; Executive Office
for U.S. Attorneys; General Counsel Office;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0905-15/10; $153,200;
Career Position: Date converted: 03/01/2009.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Director of
Congressional Affairs; Office of the Administrator; Drug Enforcement
Administration; Department of Justice;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-15/04; $126,850;
Career Position: Title and office: Deputy Chief for Demand Reduction;
Office of Congressional Public Affairs; Drug Enforcement
Administration;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: ES-0301-00/00; $137,000;
Career Position: Date converted: 11/9/2008.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Counsel to Assistant
Attorney General; Civil Rights Division; Office of the Assistant
Attorney General; Department of Justice;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0905-14/02; $101,301;
Career Position: Title and office: Trial Attorney; Civil Rights
Division; Employment Litigation Section;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0905-15/01; $115,317;
Career Position: Date converted: 10/26/2008.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Public Affairs
Specialist; Office of Public Affairs; Department of Justice;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0303-09/01; $43,365;
Career Position: Title and office: Public Affairs Specialist;
Office of Public Affairs;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-1035-11/01; $58,206;
Career Position: Date converted: 01/20/2008.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Secretary to the U.S.
Attorney; Department of Justice;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0318-10/07; $57,790;
Career Position: Title and office: Legal Assistant (Office Automation);
Office of the U. S. Attorney; New Mexico;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0986-07/01; $35,752;
Career Position: Date converted: 08/5/2007.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Secretary (Office
Automation); United States Attorney's Office for Wichita, KS,
Department of Justice;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0318-10/06; $56,185;
Career Position: Title and office: Legal Assistant (Office Automation);
United States Attorney's Office; Wichita, Kansas;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0986-07/10; $46,478;
Career Position: Date converted: 07/8/2007.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Secretary;
Department of Justice; Noncareer Position: Type of political
appointment, grade, and salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0318-10/04;
Career Position: Title and office: Intelligence Analyst;
New Haven Field Office; New Haven, Connecticut;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0132-09/08; $57,902;
Career Position: Date converted: 05/14/2006.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Secretary (Office
Automation); Executive United States Attorney's Office; Department of
Justice;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0318-10/08; $60,176;
Career Position: Title and office: Administrative Program Specialist;
United States Attorney's Office (Boston);
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0301-09/10; $57,591;
Career Position: Date converted: 6/26/2005.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Secretary to the U.S.
Attorney for Arkansas-Western; Department of Justice;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0318-09/02; $43,164;
Career Position: Title and office: Legal Assistant (Office Automation);
United States Attorney's Office (Fort Smith, Arkansas);
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0986-08/06; $44,120;
Career Position: Date converted: 6/26/2005.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Secretary (Office
Automation); Department of Justice;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0318-10-04; $52,033;
Career Position: Title and office: Administrative Services Specialist;
United States Attorney's Office (Little Rock, Arkansas);
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0301-09-08; $52,981;
Career Position: Date converted: 8/6/2006.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Deputy Director (Public
Affairs Specialist); Department of Justice;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-1035-14/01; $102,721;
Career Position: Title and office: Public Affairs Specialist;
United States Attorney's Office (Alexandria, Virginia);
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-1035-13/07; $104,314;
Career Position: Date converted: 1/18/2009.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Chief Of Staff;
Office of the General Counsel, Department of Justice;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Noncareer SES; ES-905-00/00; $145,586;
Career Position: Title and office: Assistant U.S. Attorney;
United States Attorney's Office (Cheyenne, Wyoming);
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: AD-0905-29/00; $132,352;
Career Position: Date converted: 1/18/2009.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Counsel; Office of the
Deputy Attorney General; Immediate Office of the Deputy Attorney
General; Department of Justice;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0905-14/01; $102,721;
Career Position: Title and office: Assistant U.S. Attorney; United
States Attorney's Office (Washington, D.C.);
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: AD-0905-21/00; $76,146;
Career Position: Date converted: 1/18/2009.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Secretary (Office
Automation); Department of Justice;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0318-10/08; $67,434;
Career Position: Title and office: Legal Assistant; United States
Attorney's Office (Wilmington, Delaware);
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0986-07/10; $52,769;
Career Position: Date converted: 2/1/2009.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Special Assistant;
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Department of
Justice;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-12/02; $72,090;
Career Position: Title and office: Congressional Liaison Specialist;
Office of Public Governmental Affairs; Office of Legislative Affairs;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0301-13/01; $86,927;
Career Position: Date converted: 2/4/2009.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Counsel to the
Assistant Attorney General; Department of Justice;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-14/1; $106,145;
Career Position: Title and office: Trial Attorney; Civil Rights
Division; Employment Litigation Section (Washington, D.C.);
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0905-15/01; $120,830;
Career Position: Date converted: 4/12/2009.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Deputy Chief of Staff;
Executive Office of the President;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-14/01; $106,145;
Career Position: Title and office: Congressional Liaison Specialist;
Public and Government Affairs; Office of Legislative Affairs;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0301-13/08; $107,211;
Career Position: Date converted: 4/26/2009.
Department of Labor:
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Special Assistant;
Office of the Assistant Secretary; for Employment and Training
Administration; Department of Labor;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-15/01; $115,317;
Career Position: Title and office: Program Analyst; Employment and
Training Administration; Office of Assistant Secretary Regional
Innovation Transformation;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0343-14/07; $117,639;
Career Position: Date converted: 4/27/2008.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Special Assistant;
Mine Safety and Health; Administration; Office of the Assistant
Secretary Department of Labor;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-12/01; $66,767;
Career Position: Title and office: Security Specialist; Mine Safety
and Health Administration Office of the Assistant Secretary;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0080-12/01; $66,767;
Career Position: Date converted: 6/24/2007.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Special Assistant;
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Veterans' Employment and
Training Service; Department of Labor;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-15/07; $129,023;
Career Position: Title and office: Program Analyst; Veterans
Employment Training Service Office of the Assistant; Secretary for
Veterans Employment and Training;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0343-13/10; $96,292;
Career Position: Date converted: 2/5/2006.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Staff Assistant;
Office of the Secretary; Department of Labor;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-13/02; $77,274;
Career Position: Title and office: Program and Administrative Support
Specialist; Office of Information Public Affairs;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0301-12/08; $77,556;
Career Position: Date converted: 11/13/2005.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Special Assistant;
Office of the Assistant Secretary for the Employment Standards
Administration; Department of Labor;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-03001-15/04; $114,344;
Career Position: Title and office: Workers' Compensation Specialist;
Employment Standards Administration; Office of Workers' Compensation
Programs;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0301-15/04; $114,344;
Career Position: Date converted: 10/16/2005.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Attorney Advisor
(Labor); Office of the Solicitor; Department of Labor;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0905-11/04; $64,027;
Career Position: Title and office: Legislative Analyst; Employee
Standards Administration; Assistant Secretary Employee Standards
Administration;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0301-12/01; $69,764;
Career Position: Date converted: 8/3/2008.
Department of State:
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Senior Advisor;
Office of the United States; Permanent Representative to the
Organization of American States; Bureau of Western Hemispheric;
Affairs; Department of State;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0130-15/05; $130,694;
Career Position: Title and office: Foreign Affairs Officer;
Office of the United States; Permanent Representative to the
Organization of American States; Bureau of Western Hemispheric Affairs;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0130-14/08; $127,442;
Career Position: Date converted: 6/22/2008.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Public Affairs
Specialist; Office of Andean Affairs; Bureau of Western Hemispheric
Affairs; Department of State;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0130-13/03; $57,421;
Career Position: Title and office: Foreign Affairs Officer; Office of
Andean Affairs; Bureau of Western Hemispheric Affairs;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0130-13/03; $88,493;
Career Position: Date converted: 1/20/2008.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Confidential Assistant;
Office of the Secretary; Department of State;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-11/05; $63,135;
Career Position: Title and office: Special Services Officer;
Secretary's Detail Division; Office of Protection; Assistant Director
Domestic Operations; Bureau of Diplomatic Security;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0301-11/05; $63,135;
Career Position: Date converted: 8/5/2007.
Department of the Treasury:
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Special Assistant/
Executive; Secretary Officer; Department of the Treasury;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; CG-0301-12/01; $54,272;
Career Position: Title and office: License Examining Specialist;
Office of Foreign Assets Control;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0301-12/01; $66,767;
Career Position: Date converted: 7/22/2007.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Staff Director;
Internal Revenue Service; Oversight Board; Department of the Treasury;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Limited Term SES; ES-0301-00/04; $143,471;
Career Position: Title and office: Staff Director; Internal Revenue
Service; Oversight Board;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0301-15/10; $149,000;
Career Position: Date converted: 2/17/2008.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Special Advisor to the
Chairman; Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; Office of Thrift
Supervision; Department of the Treasury;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; TG-0501-24/0; $178,500;
Career Position: Title and office: Assistant Managing Director;
Complex and International Organizations; Office of Thrift Supervision;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: TG-0501-25/00; $190,000;
Career Position: Date converted: 11/13/2005.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Defense Fellow;
Washington Headquarters Services; Department of Treasury;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-15/01; $115,317;
Career Position: Title and office: Intelligence Operations Specialist;
Office of Terrorism Financial Intelligence;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0132-15/02; $124,858;
Career Position: Date converted: 2/1/2009.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Staff Assistant;
Homeland Security Council; White House;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C Equivalent; (3 USC 105); AD-301-00; $40,000;
Career Position: Title and office: Intelligence Research Specialist;
Office of Terrorism Financial Intelligence;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0132-13/01; $86,927;
Career Position: Date converted: 2/17/2009.
Department of Veterans Affairs:
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Administrator;
Office of 7th Congressional District of Indiana; House of
Representatives;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Noncareer Legislative Branch; $120,000;
Career Position: Title and office: Congressional Legislative Affairs
Officer; Office for Congressional Legislative Affairs; Veterans
Affairs Central Office;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0301-15/10; $149,000;
Career Position: Date converted: 6/22/2008.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Senior Advisor;
Office of the Deputy Secretary; Department of Veterans Affairs;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-15/04; $121,399;
Career Position: Title and office: Associate Deputy Assistant;
Secretary for Congressional and Legislative Affairs; Office of
Congressional Legislative Affairs;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: ES-0340-00/00; $134,000;
Career Position: Date converted: 2/4/2007.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Deputy Assistant
Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs; Veterans Affairs Central
Office; Department of Veterans Affairs;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Noncareer SES; ES-0301-00/00; $166,400;
Career Position: Title and office: Health System Specialist; South
Texas Veterans Health Care System;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0671-14/10; $119,314;
Career Position: Date converted: 3/16/2008.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Special Assistant;
Assistant Secretary/Congressional; and Legislative Affairs; Veterans
Affairs Central Office; Department of Veterans Affairs;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-15; $114,042;
Career Position: Title and office: Program Analyst; Office of
Management Program Support; Veterans Affairs Central Office;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0343-14/08; $115,713;
Career Position: Date converted: 5/27/2007.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Director of
Speechwriting and Editorial Division; Department of Health and Human
Services;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-15; $101,301;
Career Position: Title and office: Public Affairs Specialist;
Assistant Secretary Public/Intergovernmental Affairs; Veterans Affairs
Central Office;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-1035-15/01; $120,830;
Career Position: Date converted: 2/9/2009.
Commodity Futures Trading Commission:
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Special Assistant to
the Commissioner; Office of the Commissioner; Commodity Futures
Trading Commission;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; CT-0301-14; $151,660;
Career Position: Title and office: Secretary of Commission;
Office of the Chairman; Office of the Secretariat;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: CT-0301-15; $163,793;
Career Position: Date converted: 8/5/2007.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Professional Staff
Member; Senate Committee on Appropriations;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Noncareer Legislative Branch; $112,000;
Career Position: Title and office: Government Affairs Advisor;
Office of the Chairman; Office of External Affairs;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: CT-0301-14; $142,000;
Career Position: Date converted: 9/8/2008.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Deputy Chief of Staff;
Office of the Secretary; Department of Agriculture;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Noncareer SES; ES-0301-00; $172,200;
Career Position: Title and office: Supervisory General Attorney;
Office of General Counsel; Office of the Secretary Legislative
Intergovernmental Affairs;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: CT-0905-15; $174,001;
Career Position: Date converted: 11/9/2008.
Consumer Product Safety Commission:
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Special Assistant
(legal); Office of the Commissioner; Consumer Product Safety
Commission;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-15; $110,363;
Career Position: Title and office: General Attorney; Office of General
Counsel;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0905-15/01; $110,363;
Career Position: Date converted: 2/18/2007.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Special Assistant
(legal); Office of the Commissioner; Consumer Product Safety
Commission;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-14; $97,500;
Career Position: Title and office: General Attorney; Office of General
Counsel;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0905-14/03; $97,500;
Career Position: Date converted: 7/9/2006.
Environmental Protection Agency:
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Special Assistant;
Office of the Associate; Administrator for Public Affairs;
Environmental Protection Agency;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-15/10; $143,471;
Career Position: Title and office: Communications Specialist;
Office of the Administrator; Office of Public Affairs;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0301-15/10; $143,471;
Career Position: Date converted: 4/15/2007.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Associate Director;
Office of the Executive Secretariat; Office of the Administrator;
Environmental Protection Agency;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-14/03; $100,077;
Career Position: Title and office: Program Specialist;
Office of the Chief Financial Officer;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0301-13/09; $100,573;
Career Position: Date converted: 12/23/2007.
Federal Maritime Commission:
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Counsel to the
Commissioner; Office of the Members; Federal Maritime Commission;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-15/05; $130,694;
Career Position: Title and office: Attorney - Advisor (general);
Office of General Counsel;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0905-15/05; $130,694;
Career Position: Date converted: 6/30/2008.
General Services Administration:
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Special Assistant;
Office of the Commissioner; Public Buildings Service; Central Office;
General Services Administration;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-12; $84,559;
Career Position: Title and office: Building Manager;
Triangle Service Center; Public Buildings Service;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-1176-12/10; $84,559;
Career Position: Date converted: 10/30/2006.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration:
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Deputy Bureau Chief;
Enforcement Bureau; Bureau Chief and Immediate Staff;
Federal Communications Commission;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Noncareer SES; ES-0301-00/00; $158,800;
Career Position: Title and office: Director; External Relations;
Johnson Space Center;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: ES-0301-00/00; $158,500;
Career Position: Date converted: 5/25/2008.
Office of Special Counsel:
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Director of the
Management and Budget Division; Office of Special Counsel;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-15/06; $128,757;
Career Position: Title and office: Director; Office of Planning
Analysis;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: ES-0301-00/00; $145,000;
Career Position: Date converted: 11/25/2007.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Deputy Special Counsel;
to Office of Special Counsel;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Noncareer SES; AD-0905-00/00; $142,500;
Career Position: Title and office: General Attorney; Investigation
Prosecution Division;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0905-15/03; $117,721;
Career Position: Date converted: 1/21/2007.
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation:
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Deputy Director;
Office of Policy and External Affairs; Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; SL-0301-00; $158,500;
Career Position: Title and office: Deputy Director of Operations;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: SL-0301-00; $158,500;
Career Position: Date converted: 3/2/2008.
Small Business Administration:
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Regional Administrator-
Region X-Seattle; Small Business Administration;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0340-15/07; $137,078;
Career Position: Title and office: District Director; Business
District Office; Region-X-Seattle; Boise District Office;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0340-15/07; $129,557;
Career Position: Date converted: 7/20/2008.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Special Assistant to
the National Ombudsman; Office of the National Ombudsman;
Small Business Administration;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-12/01; $73,100;
Career Position: Title and office: Paralegal Specialist; Office of
Inspector General Counsel Division;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0905-09/10; $65,531;
Career Position: Date converted: 2/2/2009.
Social Security Administration:
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Chief of Staff;
Social Security Administration;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Noncareer SES; ES-0301-00; $172,200;
Career Position: Title and office: Executive Counselor to the
Commissioner; Office of the Commissioner;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: ES-0905-00; $172,200;
Career Position: Date converted: 5/25/2008.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Senior Advisor to the
Commissioner; Social Security Administration;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Noncareer SES; ES-0301-00/00; $156,700;
Career Position: Title and office: Executive Assistant; Office of
Disability Adjudication and Review;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-0301-15/10; $143,471;
Career Position: Date converted: 2/18/2007.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: General Counsel;
Social Security Administration;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Noncareer SES; ES-0905-00; $165,000;
Career Position: Title and office: Deputy Commissioner for Disability
and Review; Office of Disability Adjudication and Review;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: ES-0905-00; $165,200;
Career Position: Date converted: 4/2/2006.
U.S. International Trade Commission:
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Staff Assistant (Legal);
Office of Commissioner; United States International Trade Commission;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; GS-0301-15; $115,317;
Career Position: Title and office: International Trade Analyst;
Office of Operations; Office of Industries; Agriculture and Fisheries
Division;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: GS-1101-13/10; $107,854;
Career Position: Date converted: 9/28/2008.
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission:
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Confidential Assistant;
Office of Executive Staff; Securities and Exchange Commission;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; SK-0310-11/30; $96,371;
Career Position: Title and office: Program Information Specialist;
Office of the Secretary; Legal and Operations Branch;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: SK-0310-11/30; $96,371;
Career Position: Date converted: 3/30/2008.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Secretary;
Office of General Counsel; Office of Commission; Securities and
Exchange Commission;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; SK-318-10/00; $82,742;
Career Position: Title and office: Paralegal Specialist; Legal and
Operations Branch; Office of the Secretary;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: SK-0905-11/00; $87,707;
Career Position: Date converted: 4/27/2008.
Noncareer Position: Title, office, and agency: Confidential Assistant;
Office of Executive Staff; Office of Commission; Securities and
Exchange Commission;
Noncareer Position: Type of political appointment, grade, and
salary[A,B]: Schedule C; SK-0301-11/21; $76,190;
Career Position: Title and office: Program Analyst; Office of
International Affairs; Office of Assistant Director;
Career Position: Career grade and salary[A,B]: SK-0343-11/21; $76,190;
Career Position: Date converted: 11/27/2005.
Source: GAO.
[A] Salary includes locality pay.
[B] Salary at time of conversion.
Legend:
AD: Administratively determined; rate set by agency.
CT: Commodity Futures Trading Commission positions previously defined
under pay plan codes AD, ES, GM and GS. Code is for use by the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission only.
EJ: The Department of Energy Organization Act Excepted Service. Code
is for use by the Department of Energy only.
ES: Senior Executive Service:
GG: Grade similar to General Schedule:
GS: General Schedule:
IJ: Immigration Judge Schedule. The code is for use by the Department
of Justice only.
IR: Internal Revenue Service Broadband Classification and Pay System
Positions Only. Code is for use by the Internal Revenue Service
(Department of Treasury) only.
NH: Business Management and Technical Professional. DOD Acquisition
Workforce Demonstration Project. Code is for use by the Department of
the Air Force, Department of the Army, Department of Defense, and
Department of the Navy only.
SK: Securities Exchange Commission individuals formerly under the GS,
GM, and EZ pay plans. Code is for use by the Securities and Exchange
Commission only.
SL: Senior level positions:
YA: Standard Career Group - Professional/Analytical Pay Schedule. Code
is for use by the Departments of the Air Force, Army, Defense, and
Navy only.
ZA: Administrative Code is for use by the Department of Commerce only.
[End of table]
[End of section]
Appendix IV: Conversions Where Appropriate Authorities and Proper
Procedures May Not Have Been Followed:
For seven of these conversions, it appears that agencies may not have
adhered to merit system principles or may have engaged in prohibited
personnel practices or other improprieties. OPM has oversight
authority to ensure that agencies are following the merit system
principles when hiring. In accordance with this authority, OPM has
traditionally required agencies to seek its pre-appointment approval
for the conversion of certain noncareer appointees (Schedule C and
Noncareer SES) into certain career positions (competitive service and
career SES) during a presidential election review period. OPM defined
the most recent pre-appointment review period as beginning on March
17, 2008, and concluding on January 20, 2009, Inauguration Day.
Additionally, career SES positions require a further review and
approval of the merit staffing process by OPM, and the proposed
selectee's executive/managerial qualifications by an OPM-administered
SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB), composed of members of the SES
from across the government. None of the seven conversions were subject
to OPM review and approval.
Case 1: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA):
Positions: From Schedule C Appointment, GS-301-15, Special Assistant/
Confidential Assistant, VA Central Office; Office of Congressional &
Legislative Affairs (OCLA):
To GS-0343-14/08, Program Analyst, VA Central Office, Office of
Information and Technology:
Issue: Selection of political appointee who appears to have limited
qualifications and experience to a career position:
Details: The eventual selectee served as a Schedule C Special
Assistant in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional
and Legislative Affairs from January 2001 to May 2007. According to
his job application among other duties, the selectee (1) daily managed
the production of briefing materials to be used by the Secretary and
Deputy Secretary in preparation for high level meetings, (2) guided
and advised the Department's Presidential nominees through the Senate
confirmation process, (3) developed and maintained working
relationships with high level House and Senate Committee staff and
staff from Member's personal offices, and (4) was responsible for
coordinating the Department's response to the Senate Veterans' Affairs
Committee and House Veterans' Affairs Committee budget post hearing
questions.
Beginning on April 2, 2007, the agency advertised the Program Analyst
position for 2 weeks. The duties listed for this position in the
vacancy announcement included among others (1) plans and/or
accomplishes training and special projects such as preparing original
presentations on special information technology (IT) topics; (2) acts
as an expert on special projects, advising top management on major
program issues; (3) clarifies policy questions, prepares responses
that are consistent with agency policy and reflect the position of the
organization executives; and (4) analyzes communications on the most
controversial, politically sensitive, complex, or far reaching matters
to assure conformance with executive policy.
The vacancy announcement required one year of specialized experience,
which was defined as a comprehensive knowledge of a wide range of
qualitative and or quantitative methods for the assessment and
improvement of agencywide IT program effectiveness or the improvement
of complex management processes and systems. The eventual selectee's
resume does not demonstrate that he had the specialized experience
required, either in terms of the assessment or improvement of IT
programs or the improvement of complex management processes and
systems.
Conclusions: Agencies have discretion when hiring among a pool of
eligible candidates. However, it appears the agency selected a
Schedule C appointee who had limited qualifications and experience.
Case 2: Department of the Treasury:
Positions: From Schedule C Appointment, GS-301-11, Special Assistant:
To GS-0301-12, License Examining Specialist, Office of Foreign Assets
Control:
Issue: Selection of political appointee who appears to have limited
qualifications to a career position:
Details: The eventual selectee served as a Schedule C Special
Assistant in the Office of the Executive Secretary from May 22, 2006,
to July 21, 2007. The eventual selectee's resume listed the following
duties as part of her job responsibility for tasking out, reviewing,
and editing briefing materials for the Secretary and Deputy Secretary,
coordinate with senior advisors on materials needed for meetings and
events, and edit and provide feedback on information memos regarding
all areas of the Treasury Department. Prior to joining the federal
government, the eventual selectee graduated from law school where she
studied International Commercial Arbitration, and worked in academia
as editor of publications relating to international and domestic
mediation and arbitration.
Beginning on May 31, 2007, the agency advertised the License Examining
Specialist position for two weeks. The announcement indicated that
there was one vacancy to fill. The major duties of the position were
listed as (1) provides review and final agency recommendation for
approval or disapproval of applications for licenses for commercial,
humanitarian, trade financing, individual, and other transactions,
except those involving novel or complex policy questions; (2) provides
regulatory interpretations on case-by-case licensing matters; (3)
coordinates with other U.S. government agencies to obtain information
necessary for formulation of licensing policy or for the consideration
of specific applications; (4) reviews proposed new regulations and
interpretations pertaining to economic sanctions; and (5) provides
licensing policy and regulatory information and advice to financial
institutions, members of the public, corporations, members of
Congress, U.S. government agencies, and foreign government officials
who submit inquiries.
The vacancy announcement required at least one year of specialized
experience defined as having working knowledge and experience with
respect to national security policies and procedures for humanitarian,
financial, and international trade transactions that are governed by
regulations implementing U.S. economic sanctions and embargo programs.
The vacancy announcement further stated that "candidates will be
considered well qualified if they earn a minimum score of 85 (prior to
the assignment of veterans' preference points) on their responses to
the application questions."
The selectee was considered eligible at the GS-12 level and received a
score of 83.81 (which was the highest score on the certificate of
eligibles for the GS-12 position). While the selectee had some
exposure to the materials and discussions in the subject area called
for by the specialized experience requirement, her resume does not
support that she actually had working knowledge and experience in
these subject areas, as required.
Conclusions: The former Schedule C employee did not appear to meet the
minimum qualifications for the position.
Case 3: Department of Justice:
Positions: From Schedule C Appointment, Special Assistant to the
Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division:
To AD-0905-24/00, Assistant United States Attorney, United States
Attorney's Office, Southern District of Florida:
Issues: Preselecting an applicant for a career position:
Details: The eventual selectee served as a Schedule C appointee from
March 6, 2005, to January 6, 2007. On June 7, 2006 he was appointed as
a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for a 1 year period. He was
converted into the Assistant United States Attorney position on
January 7, 2007.
The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Florida (in
Miami) issued an open-ended vacancy announcement in March 2005 and
again in January 2006 to fill multiple Assistant U.S. Attorney
position vacancies. The selectee applied and was interviewed by five
agency officials in February 2006. According to interview write-up
sheets, most interviewing officials recommended he not be hired; one
official noted that at least two other superior candidates had been
interviewed. Most interviewing officials noted the eventual selectee's
lack of experience, that he did not appear to stay in any job for an
extended period of time, and observed that his writing sample did not
contain much original writing, but was boilerplate.
The eventual selectee entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOU)
with the Department of Justice (the Civil Rights Division and U.S.
Attorneys Office in Miami). Under this MOU, the selectee was to serve
as a Special U.S. Attorney on a 6-month detail to the U.S. Attorneys
Office in Miami, from June 12, 2006 -December 9, 2006. The MOU further
specified the responsibility of the Civil Rights Division and the
Miami U.S. Attorneys Office for the cost of the selectee's salary and
benefits.
An e-mail exchange between two officials in the Miami's U.S. Attorneys
Office on November 16, 2006, referred to the likelihood that the Miami
office would be "picking up" the eventual selectee after his 6-month
detail expired and discussed making arrangements for this to happen.
According to a Justice official, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the
Southern District of Florida (in Miami) posted an additional vacancy
announcement in September 2006 to fill multiple assistant U.S.
attorney positions and that the eventual selectee applied for one of
these open positions and was considered on the same basis as other
applicants. However, Justice was unable to provide any documentation
to support that the eventual selectee applied under this vacancy
announcement and was considered on the same basis as the other
applicants.
On December 1, 2006, a memorandum to the Deputy Attorney General from
the U.S. Attorney in Miami and the Director, Executive Office for U.S.
Attorneys, indicated that the U.S. Attorney had interviewed the
eventual selectee and recommended his appointment. On June 12, 2006,
the selectee received a letter from the Miami U.S. Attorneys Office
welcoming the selectee to the office.
Conclusions: Despite the fact that the selectee was viewed as a weak
candidate under the announced vacancy for AUSA positions, he
nevertheless was subsequently appointed into a career AUSA position
after serving on a 6-month detail. This action appears to violate the
prohibition against granting unauthorized advantages to individuals in
the hiring process.
Case 4: Department of DOD (Air Force):
Positions: From Schedule C Appointment, GS-0301-07/01, Staff Assistant:
To YA-0301-02/00, Legislative and Public Affairs Liaison:
Issue: Pre-selecting an applicant for a career position:
Details: The eventual selectee served as a Schedule C Special
Assistant for White House Liaison from November 2005 to August 2007 at
the GS-7 and then GS-9 level. The eventual selectee's resume listed
the following responsibilities as part of her job (1) to understand
and assess legislation affecting DOD as it relates to personnel for
the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Military services, (2)
assist with sensitive personnel decisions to determine what is best
for the department with respect to proposed senior personnel
nominations, and (3) facilitate the selection process by assessing
candidates ability to address DOD legislative issues successfully.
In a May 8, 2007, e-mail from the Staffing/Certifying official on this
proposed personnel action, it was noted that management wanted to
announce this position under the agency's delegated examining
authority as they were interested in a Schedule C individual. This
Schedule C employee would only be eligible to apply if the vacancy
were open to applicants from outside the federal workforce, which is
the case under delegated examining. In addition, documentation in the
case file showed a management request, dated May 23, 2007, to use a
non-competitive process to get the eventual selectee into the
position. This request does not appear to have been acted upon.
Beginning on June 25, 2007, the agency advertised the Legislative and
Public Affairs Liaison position for 3 days. The duties listed for this
position in the vacancy announcement included among others (1)
analyze, develop, and assess legislation and congressional information
requirement for NORAD and USNORTHCOM organizations and homeland
defense, and civil support missions and capabilities, (2) develop and
implement congressional strategies for senior leaders to engage
Congress on controversial and sensitive issues, capturing and
analyzing complex congressional and public affairs issues to identify
potential impact on NORAD, USNORTHCOM, and their subordinate commands,
and (3) advise during the development of legislative policy, and lead
discussion on possible legislative strategies with key members in the
U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.
Four persons were certified as eligible for consideration. Two
persons, including the eventual selectee were rated as best qualified
for the position. On July 24, 2007, the selecting official chose the
eventual selectee for the position.
Conclusions: Based on the documents provided to us, a number of
factors create the appearance that the individual was pre-selected for
this position, including (1) expression of interest in non-
competitively placing the Schedule C employee into the career
position, (2) selection of competitive recruitment method based on
eligibility of the Schedule C employee, and (3) leaving the vacancy
announcement open for only 3 days. OPM guidelines suggest that
agencies keep vacancies open for at least 5 business days to ensure
that people who want to apply for the position have an adequate
opportunity to do so. Pre-selecting an applicant for a career position
would violate the statutory prohibition against granting unauthorized
advantages to individuals in the hiring process.
Case 5: Office of Special Counsel (OSC):
Positions: From Noncareer SES Appointment, ES-0905-0/00,
Deputy Special Counsel, Immediate Office of Special Counsel:
To GS-0905-15/03, General Attorney, Investigation and Prosecution
Division:
Issues: Failed to follow own procedures for recruiting and hiring
attorneys:
Details: Prior to the appointment to the career excepted service
position, the eventual selectee served as Deputy Special Counsel (a
Noncareer SES position) in the Immediate Office of Special Counsel
from July 23, 2006, through January 20, 2007. Prior to serving as
Deputy Special Counsel, the eventual selectee had served in a Schedule
C, GS-15, Attorney Advisor position as Special Assistant to the Deputy
Special Counsel. Although the agency did not provide documentation for
when she started in this Schedule C position, other documentation
suggests that she started during 2004. On January 21, 2007, the
eventual selectee was converted into the career excepted service
position. The comment section of the SF-50 for the conversion action
said "Action at employee's request. Employee agreed to fill Deputy
position on interim basis pending selection of career SES employee."
According to the Human Resources Director, who processed the
conversion action at the request of the former Special Counsel, the
Special Counsel was the only official involved in the selection
process for this conversion. The procedures for attorney hiring at OSC
are contained in OSC's Attorney Recruitment Plan. The plan refers to
specific selection procedures to be used when filling attorney
positions, beginning with utilizing an applicant supply file
maintained by the agency and/or issuing a vacancy announcement. To
solicit applications for the applicant supply file, recruitment
notices are to be distributed so as to ensure broad coverage (schools,
bar associations, etc). The plan describes the evaluation process,
which includes an initial screening for eligibility, ranking by the
designated rater into quality categories (highly qualified, qualified)
with appropriate additional consideration given to preference-eligible
veterans within each category, further review and assessment by the
Attorney Evaluation Panel, and finally referral of candidates to the
Special Counsel for selection. Documentation provided for this
conversion action does not indicate that this attorney hiring process
was used or that any other candidate was considered by the former
Special Counsel prior to selecting the eventual selectee for the
career position.
Both the former Special Counsel and the convertee are no longer with
the agency.
Conclusions: This conversion was not in compliance with the agency
procedures for attorney hiring.
Case 6: Department of Justice:
Positions: From Presidential Appointee Appointment, GS-1811-15/10, US
Marshall, Georgia Middle US Marshals Service:
To GS-1811-14/10, Supervisory Criminal Investigator, Georgia Middle
Enforcement Divisions, US Marshals Service:
Issue: Actions created the appearance that selectee violated ethical
standards:
Details: The eventual selectee was a criminal investigator with the
U.S. Marshals Service until she was appointed by the President to
serve as the U.S. Marshal for the Georgia district. She served as the
U.S. Marshal from August 2002, until she was converted to the GS-14
supervisory criminal investigator position. The Standard Form 52
Request for Personnel Action, which was prepared in order to initiate
action to fill the position, includes her signature (as U.S. Marshal)
along with another official's signature as the officials authorizing
the request to fill the position.
The documentation relating to the hiring process for this position did
not suggest that the eventual selectee was otherwise involved in her
own selection. The eventual selectee was not the top candidate but was
selected among those listed as best qualified in accordance with
proper procedures.
Conclusions:The fact that the eventual selectee signed the SF-52
authorizing the filling of the position that this individual
ultimately was selected for, creates the appearance of a violation of
ethical standards. Although there is no evidence to suggest that the
eventual selectee was involved in the actual selection process, this
appearance of a violation of ethical standards calls this conversion
action into question.
Case 7: Department of Veterans Affairs:
Positions: From Noncareer SES Appointment, Deputy Assistant:
Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs, VA Central Office:
To GS-0671-14/10, Health Systems Specialist, South Texas Veterans
Health Care System:
Issues: Agency advertised a 4-year term appointment but selectee
received permanent position:
Details: Prior to applying for the career position, the eventual
selectee had served since June 2001 as a Noncareer SES Deputy
Assistant Secretary for Inter-Governmental Affairs at the Department
of Veterans Affairs.
Beginning on November 23, 2007, VA advertised the position of Health
System Specialist for 21 days. The vacancy announcement stated that
this was a 4-year term appointment. Eight persons applied for the
position, and 2 were deemed qualified. The two found qualified were
the eventual selectee, who was the only external candidate deemed
qualified, and one other internal applicant. Both of these individuals
were placed on the certificate.
During the course of our review, VA's Office of Human Resources
Management informed us that this conversion action contained errors
and that they intended to take corrective action. In the first
instance, VA acknowledged that the SF 50 for this conversion action
erroneously stated that this was a Veterans Readjustment Act (VRA)
appointment. As VA noted, this conversion could not have been made
pursuant to this authority since such appointments are only authorized
up to the GS-11 level and this position was at the GS-14 level. More
importantly, VA acknowledged that the position was advertised as a 4-
year term appointment instead of a permanent position and that despite
this, the selectee was put into a permanent position. VA intends to re-
advertise this position as a permanent position. The selectee will be
able to re-apply, and if eligible, he could be selected. If the
selectee can not be selected under the re-advertisement, VA indicates
that it will seek OPM approval to retain him based on VA's position,
which is that this was the result of human resource error.
Conclusions: By advertising this as a 4-year term appointment, the VA
may have reduced the number of qualified applicants who would have
applied. The VA indicates it will take steps to properly re-advertise
this position (as a permanent position) and will inform GAO of the
results of their efforts in correcting this error.
[End of section]
Appendix V: 18 Conversions Where It Could Not Be Determined Whether
Appropriate Authorities and Proper Procedures Were Followed:
Department of Defense:
Noncareer position, title, and office: Schedule C; Defense Fellow;
Washington Headquarters Services, Miscellaneous Activities;
Position title, office, and hiring authority: Program Analyst;
Homeland Defense & American; Security Affairs; OPM Delegated Examining
Agreement;
Date converted: 01/07/2007.
Noncareer position, title, and office: Schedule C; Personal and
Confidential Assistant to the ASD (LA); Legislative Affairs;
Position title, office, and hiring authority: Legislative Analyst;
Legislative Operations Division; CS Cert No. OSD072183;
Date converted: 01/07/2008.
Department of Homeland Security:
Noncareer position, title, and office: Non Career SES; Deputy
Assistant Secretary; Bureau of Population and Refugee Migration;
Department of State;
Position title, office, and hiring authority: Supervisory Immigration
Officer; (FDNS); Citizenship and Immigration Services; National
Security and Records Verification; Fraud Detection & National Security;
Division; DHS IMB09AMR1536950;
Date converted: 03/29/2009.
Noncareer position, title, and office: Schedule C; Associate Director
of Strategic Communication; DHS Headquarters;
Position title, office, and hiring authority: Emergency Management
Specialist; National Capital Region Coordination; FEMA; OPM Delegated
Agreement DHS 1;
Date converted: 10/26/2008.
Noncareer position, title, and office: Schedule C; Confidential
Assistant;
Position title, office, and hiring authority: Program Specialist;
Grants Program Directorate; FEMA; OPM Delegated Cert DHS 1;
Date converted: 08/31/2008.
Noncareer position, title, and office: Schedule C; Assistant Director
of Legislative Affairs; Immediate Office of the Secretary; Office of
Legislative Affairs;
Position title, office, and hiring authority: Management & Program
Analyst; Immediate Office of the Secretary; OSEM/Executive Secretariat;
OPM Delegated Agreement DHS 1;
Date converted: 10/28/2007.
Noncareer position, title, and office: Schedule C; Confidential
Assistant & Special Assistant; Executive Office of the President;
Office of Management and Budget;
Position title, office, and hiring authority: Congressional Affairs
Specialist; Immediate Office of the Secretary; Office of Legislative
Affairs; OPM Delegated Agreement Cert;
Date converted: 1/22/2009.
Noncareer position, title, and office: Schedule C; Policy Analyst;
Immediate Office of the Secretary; Assistant Secretary of Policy;
Position title, office, and hiring authority: Regional Affairs
Specialist; Immediate Office of the Secretary; OSEM; Assistant
Secretary for Policy; OPM Delegated Agreement Cert;
Date converted: 4/12/2009.
Noncareer position, title, and office: Schedule C; Policy Analyst;
Executive Secretariat;
Position title, office, and hiring authority: Supervisory Program
Analyst; Immediate Office of the Secretary; OSEM; Executive
Secretariat; OPM Delegated Agreement Cert;
Date converted: 9/02/2007.
Department of Housing and Urban Development:
Noncareer position, title, and office: Schedule C; Administrator of
the Manufactured; Housing Program;
Position title, office, and hiring authority: Supervisory Housing
Program Manager; Office of Housing; OPM Delegated Agreement Cert;
Date converted: 05/29/2005.
Department of the Interior:
Noncareer position, title, and office: Schedule C; Press Secretary;
Secretary's Immediate Office; Office of Communication;
Position title, office, and hiring authority: Program Manager;
Assistant Director; Communications; Washington Office; Bureau of Land;
WO-DEU-2005-0198 DTD 12/1/05;
Date converted: 1/08/2006.
Department of the Treasury:
Noncareer position, title, and office: Schedule C; Defense Fellow;
Threat Finance Coordinator; Special Operations Capabilities;
Office of the Secretary of Defense; Special Operations/Low Intensity
Conflict; Washington Headquarters Services; Department of Defense;
Position title, office, and hiring authority: Intelligence Operations
Specialist; Departmental Offices; Under Secretary (Terrorism &;
Financial Intelligence); Assistant Secretary Intelligence &; Analyses;
Schedule A 213.3105 (A)(3);
Date converted: 2/01/2009.
Noncareer position, title, and office: Schedule C Equivalent (3 USC
105); Staff Assistant; The White House Office; General Counsel;
Homeland Security Counsel;
Position title, office, and hiring authority: Intelligence Operations
Specialist; Departmental Offices; Under Secretary (Terrorism &;
Financial Intelligence); Assistant Secretary Intelligence &; Analyses;
Schedule A 213.3105 (A)(3);
Date converted: 2/17/2009.
Commodity Futures Trading Commission:
Noncareer position, title, and office: Non Career SES; Deputy Chief of
Staff;
Position title, office, and hiring authority: Supervisory General
Attorney; Office of General Counsel; Legislative and Intergovernmental;
Affairs; Schedule A 213.3102(D);
Date converted: 11/09/2008.
Consumer Product Safety Commission:
Noncareer position, title, and office: Schedule C; Special Assistant
(Legal);
Position title, office, and hiring authority: General Attorney;
General Counsel; Schedule A, 213.3102(D);
Date converted: 02/18/2007.
Noncareer position, title, and office: Schedule C; Special Assistant
(Legal);
Position title, office, and hiring authority: General Attorney;
General Counsel; Schedule A, 213.3102(D);
Date converted: 07/09/2006.
Environmental Protection Agency:
Noncareer position, title, and office: Schedule C; Special Assistant;
Office of the Administrator; Associate Administration for Public
Affairs;
Position title, office, and hiring authority: Communications
Specialist; Office of the Administration; Reg. 315.401 Reinstatement;
Date converted: 04/15/2007.
Federal Maritime Commission:
Noncareer position, title, and office: Schedule C; Counsel to the
Commissioner; Office of the Commissioners;
Position title, office, and hiring authority: Attorney-Advisor
(General); Office of the Chairman; Office of the General Counsel;
Schedule A 213.3102D;
Date converted: 06/30/2008.
Source: GAO.
[End of table]
[End of section]
Appendix VI: GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments:
GAO Contact:
Laurie E. Ekstrand (202) 512-6806 or ekstrandl@gao.gov:
Acknowledgment:
In addition to the contact above, Bill Reinsberg, Assistant Director;
Gerard Burke, Sara Cytron; Laurie Choi; Clifton Douglas; Jessica
Drucker; Karin Fangman; Valerie Pfeiffer; George Stalcup; and Kiki
Theodoropoulos make key contributions to this report.
[End of section]
Footnotes:
[1] The 1 percent figure for governmentwide career conversions
includes conversions within an agency from all noncareer (temporary,
term, and political) positions to career positions but does not
include conversions from the legislative branch to the executive
branch. Our report includes conversions of political appointees within
an agency and from the legislative branch to the executive branch only
but does not include conversions of temporary and term employees who
are not political appointees.
[2] 5 U.S.C. § 2301(b).
[3] 5 U.S.C. §§ 3309-20.
[4] 5 U.S.C. § 2302.
[5] 5 C.F.R. § 317.501(b) (2).
[6] GAO, Personnel Practices: Conversions of Employees from Noncareer
to Career Positions, May 2001 - April 2005, [hyperlink,
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-06-381] (Washington, D.C.: May 1,
2006) and Personnel Practices: Career and Other Appointments of Former
Political Appointees, October 1998 - April 2001, [hyperlink,
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-02-326] (Washington, D.C.: Feb. 26,
2002).
[7] GAO, Conversions of Selected Employees from Political to Career
Positions at Departments and Selected Agencies, [hyperlink,
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-356R] (Washington, D.C.: Jan. 29,
2010).
[8] Because this report focuses only on political appointees, we
eliminated the "other statutory at-will individuals" category used in
our previous work reporting conversions. Sometimes called
administratively determined positions, appointments to these positions
are made under specific authority provided to certain agencies to
appoint individuals noncompetitively. Also, we excluded limited-term
and emergency SES appointees in cases where we determined that the
appointees were career employees rather than political appointees.
[9] Career and career-conditional appointments may also be made
through specific non-competitive appointment authorities granted by
law or Executive Order.
[10] 5 U.S.C. § 2301(b) (1).
[11] 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b).
[12] 5 C.F.R. § 317.501(b)(2).
[13] OPM has excluded certain positions, such as attorney positions,
from coverage under its regulations on excepted service appointment
procedures. 5 C.F.R. § 302.101.
[14] OPM defines a "recent political appointee" as an individual who
held the political position within the last 5 years.
[15] The 139 conversions in our review include three appointments of
limited-term Senior Executive Service (SES) employees to career SES
positions. Agencies reported 41 appointments of limited-term SES
employees to career SES positions based on our request for them to
include career appointments whenever limited-term and emergency SES
positions were involved. However in 39 of these cases, we found after
further review that the appointees were career employees rather than
political appointees, and therefore, we did not include them in our
review. Limited term and emergency SES positions are often filled by
federal employees who hold career positions and have achieved career
status.
[End of section]
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