Executive Order 14317 establishes a new federal employment category that applies government-wide across all executive branch agencies, despite the order's specific mention of improving Department of Veterans Affairs operations. The order positions itself within the framework of Congressional recognition that effective government administration requires exempting certain positions from competitive service requirements based on their confidential or policy-related nature. According to the order, while Schedule C covers confidential or policy-determining noncareer positions and Schedule Policy/Career addresses career positions with policy responsibilities, no existing schedule accommodates noncareer positions of a policy-making or policy-advocating character. The order frames this creation as necessary for "conditions of good administration" and represents a significant expansion beyond current authorities.
The order establishes Schedule G through comprehensive amendments to Civil Service Rule VI, creating a new category that appears to broaden the scope of positions subject to presidential personnel control beyond traditional Schedule C roles. Schedule G will encompass "positions of a policy-making or policy-advocating character normally subject to change as a result of a Presidential transition," defined as positions whose occupants are expected to resign during presidential transitions and include all positions requiring White House Office of Presidential Personnel approval. Unlike Schedule C's focus on confidential or policy-determining roles, Schedule G explicitly targets policy-making and policy-advocating positions, potentially expanding the range of federal positions that can be filled and removed at presidential discretion without competitive examination. The directive exempts Schedule G positions from most Civil Service Rules and Regulations regarding removals and specifically mandates that agency heads consider whether prospective appointees would be "suitable exponents of the President's policies" while prohibiting consideration of political affiliation or activity.
Implementation responsibility falls to the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, who must adopt necessary regulations with particular attention to amendments to 5 CFR, part 213. The order includes standard limiting language stating it does not create enforceable rights or benefits and must be implemented consistent with applicable law and available appropriations. The creation of Schedule G represents a potentially significant shift in federal workforce composition by expanding excepted service positions beyond existing Schedule C authorities, affecting the balance between political appointees and career civil servants across all agencies and potentially reducing insulation of policy-making roles from presidential control. The order takes effect immediately upon signing, with regulatory implementation to follow through OPM's rulemaking process.