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EMPLOYMENT GUIDANCE
from the
U.S. Office of Personnel Management
Getting the right people in the right jobs at the right time will be critical to your ability to deliver for the President and the American people. As the Government's corporate human resources agency, OPM will work with your Human Resources Director to help you succeed.
OPM has special responsibilities during the Presidential transition. We help employees of the outgoing administration as they exit Government and work, along with the agencies and the White House Office of Presidential Personnel, to help quickly get the new Administration's team in place.
Transition Guide
The Presidential Transition Guide to Federal Human Resources Management addresses many employment issues affecting departing and incoming appointees. The range of topics includes a health and life insurance, and unemployment compensation. The guide also includes the names and numbers of OPM program specialists who are available to answer your technical personnel questions.
Plum Book
OPM also compiles the Plum Book. Prepared at the request of the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs, The Plum Book lists over 7,000 leadership and support positions that may be open to political appointees. Officially titled United States Government Policy and Supporting Positions, the Plum Book will help you identify key positions you may need to fill.
List of Presidentially-Appointed Positions
As required by law, within 15days of the Presidential nominating conventions, OPM provides both Presidential candidates with a detailed listing of Presidentially-appointed positions within the Federal Government. Agencies will work with the White House Office of Presidential Personnel in filling these positions.
Appointment Assistance
After candidates have been identified for your key positions, OPM will work with your agency and the White House Office of Presidential Personnel to help you through the clearance and approval process of your new appointees.
Orientation to Government
Once you have appointed the political members of your team, OPM is prepared to orient them to the Government's unique management challenges. Since the Reagan administration, we have partnered with the White House to sponsor orientation programs for Senior Executives and Schedule C appointees. Previous administrations have found this an excellent way to communicate their priorities to Federal Executives and managers.
Merit Principles
In addition to getting the right people in the right jobs, we must ensure that career Federal employees are selected in the right way. You should be familiar with the Government's merit system principles. They require us to:
- Recruit, select, and advance on merit after fair and open competition.
- Treat employees and applicants fairly and equitably.
- Provide equal pay for equal work and reward excellent performance.
- Maintain high standards of integrity, conduct and concern for the public interest.
- Manage employees efficiently and effectively.
- Retain or separate employees on the basis of their performance.
- Educate and train employees if it will result in better organizational or individual performance.
- Protect employees from improper political influence.
- Protect employees against reprisal for the lawful disclosure of information in "whistleblower" situations.
These nine merit principles are the foundation of the Government's human resources policies and procedures. If you have questions about these policies and procedures, contact your Human Resources Director or OPM.
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