The Office of Personnel Management has sent a memo to
agencies that asked for additional Senior Executive
Service, senior level, and senior scientific and
professional positions for the 2006-2007 period to
provide detailed justifications of those requests. OPM
every two years asks agencies to project their needs for
such positions, and the memo follows estimates that
agencies sent in late in calendar year 2004.
OPM reminded agencies that it reviews the allocation
requests on a position-by-position basis, taking into
account factors such as: Is there a new legislative
mandate or Presidential directive requiring additional
allocations? Has the agency acquired a new mission or
is it expanding an ongoing agency program? What is the
current and average annual SES/SL/ST vacancy rate? Is
the allocation request for a line or staff position? Is
the allocation request for a deputy or equivalent, or a
principal position?
“While these factors are not intended to be exhaustive
they should be considered in justifying your agency’s
request. Additionally, as part of OPM’s oversight
responsibility, we reserve the right to conduct a post-
allocation audit of an agency’s use of its executive
resource allocations,” said the memo, which instructed
agencies to provide the justifications by August 5.
