OPM: Watch for Conversions of Appointees

In a warning it issues each presidential election year, the Office of Personnel Management has told agencies that they should watch carefully for any conversion of political appointees and non-career senior executive service members into career status. OPM said that agencies should review to make sure that merit principles are followed in any such actions and has said it will conduct merit staffing reviews of proposed conversions before they are presented to qualifications review boards. OPM also included guidance on issues including competitive service and SES appointments and restrictions on incentive awards for political appointees through the next presidential inauguration.