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The United States Government Manual
Office of Personnel Management
1900 E Street NW., Washington, DC 20415-0001
202-606-1800
TTY, 202-606-2532
http://www.opm.gov
Executive Offices
| DIRECTOR | Kiran Ahuja |
| Deputy Director | (vacancy) |
| Chief of Staff | Anne Harkavy |
| CHIEF OFFICERS | |
| Management | Dennis Coleman |
| Privacy | Kellie Cosgrove Riley |
| DIRECTORS | |
| Communications | Caroline Ciccone |
| Congressional, Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs | Alethea Predeoux |
| Executive Secretariat / Resource Management | John Pettit, Acting |
| Human Capital Data Management and Modernization | David Padrino |
| CHIEF HUMAN CAPITAL OFFICERS COUNCIL | |
| Executive Director | Margot Conrad |
| General Counsel | Lynn D. Eisenberg |
Program Offices
| ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS | |
| Employee Services | Robert Shriver |
| Human Resources Solutions | Peter Bonner |
| Merit System Accountability and Compliance | Mark W. Lambert |
| Retirement Services | Nicholas Ashenden |
| DIRECTORS | |
| Healthcare and Insurance | Laurie Bodenheimer |
| Suitability Executive Agent Programs | Lisa M. Loss |
Mission Support Services
| CHIEF OFFICERS | |
| Financial | Margaret Pearson, Acting |
| Human Capital | Tyshawn Thomas |
| Information | Guy Cavallo |
| DIRECTORS | |
| Equal Employment Opportunity | Lashonn M. Woodland |
| Facilities, Security and Emergency Management | Reid Hilliard |
| Human Resources | Tyshawn Thomas |
| Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization | Desmond Brown |
| Senior Procurement Executive | Todd Anthony |
Office of the Inspector General
| Inspector General | Norbert E. Vint, Acting |
Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory Committee
| Chair | (vacancy) |
The Office of Personnel Management administers a merit system to ensure compliance with personnel laws and regulations and assists agencies with recruiting, examining, and promoting on the basis of skills and knowledge irrespective of race, religion, sex, political influence, or other factors not based on merit.
ESTABLISHMENT AND ORGANIZATION
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) was created as an independent establishment by Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1978, pursuant to Executive Order 12107, which President James E. Carter signed on December 28, 1978. The Executive order designated January 1, 1979, as the effective date for the establishment of the OPM. The plan and the order transferred many of the U.S. Civil Service Commission's former functions to the OPM.
Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1978 (92 Stat. 3783)
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-92/pdf/STATUTE-92-Pg3783.pdfExecutive Order 12107 (44 FR 1055–1064)
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1979-01-03/pdf/FR-1979-01-03.pdfThe OPM published its statement of organization as a notice in the Federal Register on January 5, 1979 (44 FR 1501–1502).
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1979-01-05/pdf/FR-1979-01-05.pdfThe OPM included an organizational chart on page 12 of its "Annual Performance Report—Fiscal Year 2020," which was published in January of 2021.
https://www.opm.gov/about-us/budget-performance/performance/2020-annual-performance-report.pdfSTATUTORY AND REGULATORY AUTHORITIES
Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1978 has been codified and assigned to the appendix of 5 U.S.C.
https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title5a-node84-leaf186&num=0&edition=prelimStatutory material affecting the OPM has been codified and assigned to Chapter 11 (sections 1101–1105) of 5 U.S.C. Title 5 is dedicated to the topic of "Government Organization and Employees," and Chapter 11 of that title deals with the "Office of Personnel Management."
https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title5/part2/chapter11&edition=prelimRules and regulations that are associated with the OPM have been codified and assigned to Chapter I (parts 1–1199) of 5 CFR. Title 5 is dedicated to rules and regulations affecting "Administrative Personnel."
https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=c4cab023af8b5d797b0dd7bfa99c9969&mc=true&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title05/5chapterI.tplACTIVITIES
Employee Benefits
OPM manages numerous activities that directly affect the well-being of the Federal employee and indirectly enhance employee effectiveness. These include health benefits, life insurance, and retirement benefits.
https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insuranceExamining / Staffing
The OPM provides departments and agencies with technical assistance and guidance in examining competitive positions in the Federal civil service for General Schedule grades 1 through 15 and Federal Wage system positions. In addition, OPM is responsible for the following duties: providing testing and examination services, at the request of an agency, on a reimbursable basis; establishing basic qualification standards for all occupations; certifying agency delegated examining units to conduct examining; providing employment information for competitive service positions; and providing policy direction and guidance on promotions, reassignments, appointments in the excepted and competitive services, reinstatements, temporary and term employment, veterans preference, workforce planning and reshaping, organizational design, career transition, and other staffing provisions.
https://www.opm.gov/services-for-agencies/recruiting-staffing-solutions/Executive Resources
OPM leads in the selection, management, and development of Federal executives. OPM provides policy guidance, consulting services, and technical support on Senior Executive Service (SES) recruitment, selection, succession planning, mobility performance, awards, and removals. It reviews agency nominations for SES career appointments and administers the Qualifications Review Boards that certify candidates' executive qualifications. It manages SES, senior-level, and scientific and professional space allocations to agencies, administers the Presidential Rank Awards program, and conducts orientation sessions for newly appointed executives. In addition, OPM manages three interagency residential development and training centers for executives and managers.
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-serviceInvestigations
The Office of the Inspector General conducts comprehensive and independent audits, investigations, and evaluations relating to OPM programs and operations. It is responsible for administrative actions against health care providers who commit sanctionable offenses with respect to the Federal Employees' Health Benefits Program or other Federal programs.
https://www.opm.gov/our-inspector-general/Oversight
OPM assesses human capital management Governmentwide and within agencies to gather information for policy development and program refinement, ensure compliance with law and regulation, and enhance agency capability for human resources management accountability. Agency accountability systems help ensure that human capital decisions are consistent with merit principles and that human capital strategies are aligned with mission accomplishment. OPM also works with agencies to find better and more strategic ways to manage Federal human capital.
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/oversight-activitiesPersonnel Systems
OPM provides leadership and guidance to agencies on systems to support the manager's personnel management responsibilities. These include the following: white- and blue-collar pay systems, including SES and special occupational pay systems; geographical adjustments and locality payments; special rates to address recruitment and retention problems; allowances and differentials, including recruitment and relocation bonuses, retention allowances, and hazardous duty/environmental pay; and premium pay; annual and sick leave, court leave, military leave, leave transfer and leave bank programs, family and medical leave, excused absence, holidays, and scheduling of work, including flexible and compressed work schedules; performance management, covering appraisal systems, performance pay and awards, and incentive awards for suggestions, inventions, and special acts; classification policy and standards for agencies to determine the series and grades for Federal jobs; labor-management relations, including collective bargaining, negotiability, unfair labor practices, labor-management cooperation, and consulting with unions on Governmentwide issues; systems and techniques for resolving disputes with employees; quality of work-life initiatives, such as employee health and fitness, work and family, AIDS in the workplace, and employee assistance programs; human resources development, including leadership and administration of the Human Resources Development Council and the Government Performance and Results Act interest group; the Training and Management Assistance program, to help agencies develop training and human resources management solutions, including workforce planning and succession management strategies, e-learning applications, traditional classroom training materials, compensation and performance management systems, and other customized products; information systems to support and improve Federal personnel management decisionmaking; and Governmentwide instructions for personnel processing and recordkeeping and for release of personnel data under the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act.
OPM also provides administrative support to special advisory bodies, including the Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory Committee, the Federal Salary Council, and the Presidential Advisory Committee on Expanding Training Opportunities.
Workforce Diversity
OPM provides leadership, direction, and policy for Governmentwide affirmative recruiting programs for women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans. It also provides leadership, guidance, and technical assistance to promote merit and equality in systemic workforce recruitment, employment, training, and retention. In addition, OPM gathers, analyzes, and maintains statistical data on the diversity of the Federal workforce and prepares evaluation reports for Congress and others on individual agency and Governmentwide progress toward full workforce representation for all Americans in the Federal sector.
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/diversity-and-inclusion/OTHER PROGRAMS
OPM coordinates the temporary assignment of employees between Federal agencies and State, local, and Indian tribal governments, institutions of higher education, and other eligible nonprofit organizations for up to 2 years, for work of mutual benefit to the participating organizations. It administers the Presidential Management Intern Program, which provides 2-year, excepted appointments with Federal agencies to recipients of graduate degrees in appropriate disciplines. In addition, the Office of Personnel Management administers the Federal Merit System Standards, which apply to certain grant-aided State and local programs.
Federal Executive Boards
Federal Executive Boards (FEBs) were established by Presidential memorandum on November 10, 1961, to improve internal Federal management practices and to provide a central focus for Federal participation in civic affairs in major metropolitan centers of Federal activity. They carry out their functions under OPM supervision and control.
FEBs serve as a means for disseminating information within the Federal Government and for promoting discussion of Federal policies and activities of importance to all Federal executives in the field. Each Board is composed of heads of Federal field offices in the metropolitan area. A chairman is elected annually from among the membership to provide overall leadership to the Board's operations. Committees and task forces carry out interagency projects consistent with the Board's mission.
Located in places where Federal activity is concentrated, FEBS can be found in 28 metropolitan areas. Federal executive associations or councils, which are locally organized, can be found in approximately 65 other metropolitan areas. They perform functions similar to the FEBs, but on a lesser scale of organization and activity.
https://www.feb.gov/board-locationsSources of Information
A–Z Index
The OPM's website has an alphabetical subject index to help visitors navigate its content.
https://www.opm.gov/a-z-index/Archived Records
The "Guide to Federal Records in the National Archives of the United States" indicates that OPM records have been assigned to record group 478.
https://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/478.htmlThe "Guide to Federal Records in the National Archives of the United States" indicates that U.S. Civil Service Commission records have been assigned to record group 146.
https://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/146.htmlBlog
The OPM has a blog on its website.
https://www.opm.gov/blogs/Director/Business Opportunities
The "Doing Business with OPM" web pages provide information on finding contracting opportunities, registering to do business with the OPM, and connecting with the OPM's small business program.
https://www.opm.gov/about-us/doing-business-with-opmStaff contact information is available online.
https://www.opm.gov/about-us/doing-business-with-opm/contact-us/Career Opportunities
To help fulfill its mission, the OPM relies on a professional workforce with energy, expertise, personality, and skill.
https://www.opm.gov/about-us/careers-at-opm/In 2020, the OPM ranked 15th among 25 midsize Government agencies in the Partnership for Public Service's Best Places To Work Agency Rankings.
https://bestplacestowork.org/rankings/detail/?c=OM00Contact Information
General contact information is available online. Contact information for specific OPM organizations also is posted.
https://www.opm.gov/about-us/contact-usCoronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19)
The OPM works closely with other Federal agencies to keep information current and make it available to Federal agencies and their employees. To learn more, visit the "Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19)" web page.
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/covid-19Federal Holidays
Federal law (5 U.S.C. 6103) establishes the public holidays for Federal employees. Most Federal employees work on weekdays. For these employees, when a holiday falls on a nonworkday—Saturday or Sunday—the Federal holiday usually is observed on Friday or Monday.
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/federal-holidays/#url=OverviewFederal Register
Significant documents and documents that the OPM recently published in the Federal Register are accessible online.
https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/personnel-management-officeForms
The "Forms" web page serves as the single source of information for forms belonging to and used by the OPM. Links are also available to browse forms used by other Federal agencies.
https://www.opm.gov/forms | Email: formsmanager@opm.govFreedom of Information Act (FOIA)
To any person, the FOIA gives a statutory right for obtaining access to Government information in the records of executive branch agencies. This right to access is limited, however, when the requested information is shielded from disclosure by any of nine exemptions contained within the statute. A FOIA request must be made in writing and clearly labeled "Freedom of Information Act Request." Instructions for making a request are available online.
https://www.opm.gov/information-management/freedom-of-information-actThe electronic reading room contains documents that the FOIA identifies for inclusion. This electronic collection also contains records that FOIA users have requested multiple times.
https://www.opm.gov/information-management/freedom-of-information-act#url=Electronic-Reading-RoomFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The OPM posts answers to FAQs on its website.
https://www.opm.gov/FAQsGlossaries
A glossary is available on the "Healthcare—Reference Materials" web page.
https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/reference-materials/reference/glossary/A glossary is available on the "Benefits Officers Center—Reference Materials" web page.
https://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/benefits-officers-center/reference-materials/#url=GlossaryAn insurance glossary of terms that are used on the "Federal Benefits Programs" website is available online. If a term is absent from the glossary, please email a request for its inclusion.
https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/insurance-glossary | Email: fehb@opm.govHistory
On October 27, 1992, the agency's Washington headquarters was dedicated to a former Civil Service Commissioner, who later became the 26th President of the United States. To find out more about this dedicated civil servant, visit the "Theodore Roosevelt" web page.
https://www.opm.gov/about-us/our-mission-role-history/theodore-roosevelt/Insurance
Information on the Federal health benefits open season; flexible spending accounts; and dental and vision, health, life, and long-term care insurance programs, is available online.
https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insuranceIntegrity / Efficinecy
The OPM's Office of the Inspector General posts reports and data on Oversight.gov, a text-searchable repository of reports that Federal Inspectors General publish. The Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency operates and maintains the website to increase public access to independent and authoritative information on the Federal Government.
https://www.oversight.gov/aboutNews
The OPM posts news items on its website.
https://www.opm.gov/news/latest-news/Open Government
The OPM supports the Open Government initiative by promoting the principles of collaboration, participation, and transparency. The agency is committed to increasing accountability, effectiveness, efficiency, and innovation; building trust with American citizens; empowering the public; fostering a culture in which everyone's contribution is valued; making better decisions; and tracking how agency money is used.
https://www.opm.gov/about-us/open-governmentOperating Status
The "Current Status" web page provides the operating status of Federal offices nationwide.
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/current-statusThe OPM sponsors the Operating Status listserv. Subscribers receive an email when the operating status of the Federal Government within the Capital Region changes.
https://apps.opm.gov/listserv_apps/list-sub.cfm?targetlist=operatingstatusPublications
An electronic database allows users to search for operating manuals, periodicals, and other OPM publications. For more information on Federal personnel management publications, contact OPM Publications Management. Phone, 202-606-1822.
http://www.opm.gov/news/reports-publications/publications-databaseRetirement Information Center
The Retirement Information Center provides information on retirement benefits for current, new, and prospective Federal employees, as well as for Federal retirees, their survivors, and benefits officers. The information includes recent changes, events, and other issues affecting Federal retirement benefits.
https://www.opm.gov/Blogs/Retire/Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) information on retirement eligibility is posted online.
https://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/csrs-information/eligibilityFederal Employees Retirement System (FERS) information on retirement eligibility is posted online.
https://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/fers-information/eligibilitySalaries / Wages
General schedule locality pay tables are posted online.
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2018/general-schedule/Social Media
The OPM maintains pages on Facebook, tweets on Twitter, and posts videos on its YouTube channel.
https://www.opm.gov/news/social-media-presenceTelework
The OPM maintains the Federal Government's official telework program website.
https://www.telework.gov/about/ | Email: teleworkpolicy@opm.govThe above Sources of Information were updated 8–2021.