Implementing Schedule Policy/Career in the Excepted Service

The order places a large set of specific federal positions — listed in an attached appendix — into Schedule Policy/Career of the excepted service, immediately removing those employees from the standard civil service adverse-action procedures that govern dismissals for misconduct or poor performance. It amends several Civil Service Rules to govern merit-based hiring, veteran preference, probationary periods, and severance pay eligibility within Schedule Policy/Career. It also amends two prior executive orders to clarify how agency heads petition to add further positions and how Pathways Program graduates may convert into Schedule Policy/Career roles.

The order additionally directs each agency with Schedule Policy/Career employees to establish a separate bonus pool to reward outstanding performance, and it directs the Office of Personnel Management to initiate rulemaking for a new Presidential award program for those employees. The order does not eliminate competitive-status rights employees already hold; employees retain prior competitive status when their positions are transferred.

Career federal employees in policy-influencing roles across executive agencies whose specific positions are listed in the order's appendix, all federal agencies that house such positions, and the Office of Personnel Management, which must revise Civil Service Rules and launch a new award program rulemaking.

Federal employees whose positions are transferred immediately lose the procedural protections — such as advance notice periods and appeal rights — that normally govern removals for misconduct or poor performance, making it significantly easier for agency heads and the President to discipline or remove them.

The transfer to Schedule Policy/Career takes effect on signing for all positions in the appendix. Within seven days, agency heads must notify affected employees and update agency records. Agencies must also create separate bonus pools using existing award authorities. OPM has 60 days to clean up obsolete Civil Service Rule provisions and must promptly begin rulemaking for a Presidential award program. Agency heads wishing to add further positions must submit written petitions to OPM for recommendation to the President; OPM then publishes updated Schedule Policy/Career listings at least annually. A severability clause protects the remainder of the order if any provision is invalidated.