Schedule Policy/Career Hiring and Appointment Procedures

Purpose: 

This Order issues and transmits General Services Administration (GSA) policy and procedures for the designation, recruitment, evaluation, selection, appointment, and administration of Schedule Policy/Career (Schedule P/C) positions. This Order is issued under the authority of Title 5, United States Code and implements Schedule Policy/Career authority under 5 CFR 213.3601. The Order establishes a standardized framework for merit-based hiring and employment administration within GSA.

Background: 

Schedule Policy/Career positions are excepted service positions of a confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character established under Executive Order 14171 and implemented under 5 CFR 213.3601. These positions remain career civil service positions within the excepted service and are subject to applicable merit system principles under 5 U.S.C. 2301 and prohibited personnel practices under 5 U.S.C. 2302.

Unlike other excepted service appointments, Schedule Policy/Career positions are exempt from the procedural requirements of 5 CFR Part 302 pursuant to 5 CFR 302.101(c)(12) and are administered under separate GSA internal procedures governing recruitment, selection, appointment, and employment conditions.

Applicability:

This Order applies to all positions designated and appointments made to Schedule Policy/Career positions within GSA, as authorized under 5 CFR 213.3601.

This Order does not apply to:

1. Positions in the competitive service
2. Excepted service positions not designated as Schedule Policy/Career
3. Appointments requiring Presidential nomination and Senate confirmation

Where topics are not specifically addressed in this Order, applicable laws, regulations, and government-wide policies, including 5 U.S.C. 2301–2302, govern all actions. This Order establishes internal GSA procedures for implementing Schedule Policy/Career authority under 5 CFR 213.3601.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) has independent personnel authority. See Section 6 of the Inspector General Act of 1978, (5 U.S.C. App.3), as amended (Inspector General is authorized “to select, appoint, and employ such officers and employees as may be necessary for carrying out the functions, powers, and duties of the Office of Inspector General”) and GSA Order ADM 5450.39D CHGE 1, GSA Delegations of Authority Manual (Delegations Manual), Chapter 2, Part 1 (“the Inspector General has independent authority to formulate policies and make determinations concerning human capital issues within the [OIG]” and GSA determinations/delegations do not limit that authority). Similarly, GSA specifically recognizes that the Inspector General has independent authority to formulate policies and make determinations concerning training, employee development, and career management.