**GAO-10-688**                      Published: Jun 28, 2010. Publicly Released: Jun 28, 2010.                  

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## Highlights

Political appointees in the federal government sometimes seek appointments to career competitive and other positions which, unlike political appointments, do not terminate at the end of an administration. Federal agencies must use appropriate authorities and follow proper procedures in making these conversions. GAO was asked to determine for departments and selected agencies (1) the number and characteristics of all political to career conversions occurring during the period from May 1, 2005, through May 30, 2009, and (2) whether appropriate authorities were used and proper procedures were followed in making these conversions at the GS-12 level and above.

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Yvonne Jones
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## Topics

Human Capital

Career planningEmployeesExecutive agenciesExecutive branch appointmentsFederal agenciesFederal employeesGovernment employeesGovernment job appointmentsOperations researchPosition descriptionsPresidential appointmentsSystems analysisPolicies and procedures