U.S. Office of Personnel Management

Organization details

Founded

January 1, 1979

Agency status

Independent federal agency

Origin

Successor to the U.S. Civil Service Commission

Role

Government-wide civilian personnel policy, hiring and benefits

History

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) was established following the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 and became operational on January 1, 1979. It succeeded much of the former Civil Service Commission’s personnel-administration role.

Functions and leadership

OPM develops government-wide civil-service regulations and manages major aspects of federal employment and benefits. Its directors have included Donald Devine in the Reagan administration and Scott Kupor in the second Trump administration.

Schedule Policy/Career

OPM issued a February 2026 final rule implementing Schedule Policy/Career, which modified removal and appeal rules for certain policy-influencing career positions. The President subsequently issued a June 2026 implementing order.

Related entries

• Dennis Dean Kirk
• Donald J. Devine
• Executive Order 14171
• Paul Dans
• Schedule F and federal civil-service reclassification
• Schedule Policy/Career
• Scott Kupor
• U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE)

References

1. OPM — Mission and history
2. U.S. Government Manual — OPM establishment
3. Congressional Research Service — OPM roles and statutory history
4. OPM — Schedule Policy/Career page