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entitled 'Personnel Practices: Conversions of Employees from Political 
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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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