Learn about the types of jobs and the requirements for the job.

While it can be daunting to learn about the roles and responsibilities of each Federal agency, there are a number of resources that can help:

1. The Plum Book

   Every four years, following the Presidential election, the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform alternatively publishes the United States Government Policy and Supporting Positions — commonly known as the Plum Book. This publication contains information on over 7,000 Federal civil service leadership and support positions in the legislative and executive branches of the Federal Government that may be subject to noncompetitive appointment (e.g., positions such as agency heads and their immediate subordinates, policy executives and advisors, and aides who report to these officials). Pay levels for the different positions can be found at the back of the Plum Book.

   http://www.gpoaccess.gov/plumbook/2008/2008_plum_book.pdf

2. The Prune Book

   The Prune Book, now called PrunesOnline, profiles the most difficult management jobs in the Federal Government. “Prunes,” in the originator's lexicon, are “Plums,” seasoned by experience and with a much thicker skin. These Prunes profiles describe the positions appointees hold and the challenges they face. Link to the Prunes Online

   http://www.prunesonline.org
   

3. The Office of Personnel Management

   Current pay levels can also be found on the Office of Personnel Management’s website.
   http://www.opm.gov/oca/09tables/index.asp

4. The Library of Congress

   Thomas, a resource of the Library of Congress, provides details on every Presidential nomination that are broken down by state, date, and disposition.
   http://thomas.loc.gov/home/nomis.html

5. The Appointee Directory

   Authorized by the Presidential Transition Act of 2000, this General Services Administration directory, written in conjunction with the National Archives and Records Administration, helps potential appointees gain a better understanding of the Federal Government. It provides an overview of each Federal department and agency, including information about each department and agency’s organizational structure, functions, duties, responsibilities, mission, and statutory and administrative authorities.

   http://appointeedirectory.gsa.gov/

6. USA.gov

   USA.GOV is the Federal Government’s main web page. It provides an alphabetical listing of all Federal Government departments and agencies.

   http://www.usa.gov

7. A Survivor’s Guide for Presidential Nominees

   The Survivor’s Guide, prepared under the auspices of the Council for Excellence in Government, and now under the sponsorship of the National Academy of Public Administration, is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking an appointed position in the Federal Government. It poses questions an applicant should ask themselves before saying yes to a nomination, details the offices and people involved in the nomination process, explains the legal and ethical restrictions placed on appointees, provides an overview of forms that nominees must complete, describes the Senate confirmation process, and provides insights about dealing with the media and moving to Washington, D.C.

   A Survivor’s Guide for Presidential Nominees

Learn about the regulations and restrictions that political appointees face.

1. What are the financial issues?

   There are a number of financial issues to consider when seeking a political appointment. As an appointee you will be asked to fill out a financial disclosure form that will examine in detail your financial background and current dealings. Government salaries fall within an established range that is based on the type of position and the candidate’s prior work experience. They are often lower than those in the private sector. By executive order, Cabinet secretaries, deputy secretaries, and other high-level officials cannot “receive any earned income for any outside employment or activity performed during that Presidential appointment.” This prohibition includes speaking fees.
   
   In addition, ethics officials may also decide that you have to divest stocks to avoid a conflict of interest. Other rules and restrictions apply to less-senior appointees as well. Despite the financial regulations, political appointees do qualify for health insurance and other job benefits.
   
   Learn more about the financial issues facing political appointees at the Office of Government Ethics.
   

   http://www.usoge.gov

2. What are the ethical issues?

   Political appointees hold their positions in the public trust and must strive to avoid any action that would suggest that they are violating the law or ethical standards. Common ethical issues include gifts from outside sources, conflicting financial interests, impartiality in performing official duties, outside employment, and misuse of a position for personal gain.

   Learn more about the ethical issues facing political appointees at the Office of Government Ethics.

   http://www.usoge.gov

   The Hatch Act restricts the political activity of executive branch employees of the Federal Government. Learn more about the Hatch Act at

   http://www.osc.gov/ha_fed.htm

3. What are the post-government service restrictions?

   Political appointees may be subject to certain activity restrictions after they leave the Federal Government. The Survivor’s Guide reviews these restrictions in greater detail here:

   Chapter 7 - Ethics Rules and Life After Government

   While the Federal Government extensively revised the post-employment restrictions in July 2008, additional restrictions may be put in place by the new administration. Current Federal law now requires appointees to comply with the following rules:

   • Lifetime Ban. An employee is prohibited from representing anyone else before the Federal Government on any matter in which he or she participated personally and substantially.
   • Two-Year Ban. An employee is prohibited for two years from representing another person or entity on a matter he or she supervised or was responsible for during the last year of government service.
   • One-Year Prohibition. An employee who participated in trade or treaty negotiations cannot represent, aid, or advise parties on these matters for full year after leaving office.
   • “Cooling Off” Period. Certain senior officials cannot represent anyone before their Federal departments or agencies for a full year after leaving office. The cooling off period is two years for certain very senior officials.
   • Additional Ban. Cabinet secretaries and other more senior officials cannot represent anyone before any Federal department or agency — not just their own department — for a full year after leaving office.

   The Office of Government Ethics provides additional information on post-employment restrictions.
   http://www.usoge.gov/common_ethics_issues/post_employment.aspx

Other paths:

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