Political appointees land career jobs

From October 1998 to June of this year, 57 political appointees converted to career civil service positions in federal agencies, according to a new General Accounting Office study. The practice of political appointees converting to career jobs is not uncommon. But federal officials and members of Congress are keeping tabs on such conversions in the waning months of the Clinton administration to make sure that Clinton appointees don't try to unfairly "burrow in" to the civil service. While career civil servants are hired using merit system principles-after fair and open competition-noncareer appointees serve at the pleasure of the agency head. Such appointees are typically responsible for formulating and advocating the current administration's policies. So when the administration changes, their jobs usually have to be forfeited. In February, Janice R. Lachance, director of the Office of Personnel Management, issued a memo warning agency heads to be on the lookout for burrowers. Early last year, some members of Congress raised concerns that positions in two agencies were being tailored for political appointees. The practice is frowned upon because critics say it cuts off career senior executives from promotions and calls into question merit system protections. In a 1997 report (GGD-97-165), GAO found that six career appointments of former political employees could "give the appearance that the appointments had received favoritism or preference that increased these individuals' chances of getting the job." In two cases, GAO found that position descriptions appeared to be tailored to the experience possessed by the political appointees who received the jobs. However, in all cases, GAO found that proper hiring rules were followed. John Palguta, director of policy and evaluation at the Merit Systems Protection Board, says burrowing in is not a growing trend. "Political appointees have the right to apply for federal jobs and be considered; it is not unreasonable to think that some [appointees] will be well-qualified for those jobs," Palguta said. "The only concern when political appointees convert to a career job is whether or not favoritism has been shown because of political affiliation." According to the study, "Personnel Practices: Career Appointments Granted Political Appointees from October 1998 through June 2000" (GGD-00-205), the departments of Justice, Energy, Commerce, Defense and Labor had the most political appointees convert to career positions.