On June 3rd, President Trump signed an executive order formally converting approximately 8,000 senior career federal positions into a new employment category called Schedule Policy/Career — the latest iteration of what was originally known as Schedule F during his first term.
The order represents the most significant restructuring of federal civil service protections in decades and has already drawn legal challenges from federal employee unions and advocacy organizations.
What the Order Does
For positions covered by the order, the standard adverse action procedures that ordinarily protect career federal employees no longer apply. That means no advance notice requirement, no right to respond, and no appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board if an employee is removed. Employees in covered positions can be separated at will.
The administration argues the change is necessary to improve accountability and ensure that senior policy staff are aligned with the president’s agenda. Critics contend the move politicizes the federal workforce and undermines decades of civil service protections.
Who Is Affected
Approximately 97% of the positions targeted are at or above the GS-15 level. A smaller number of GS-13 and GS-14 positions — primarily within the Office of Management and Budget — will also be converted to Schedule Policy/Career. The affected roles include directors, chiefs of staff, senior advisers, policy analysts, and others with significant involvement in policy-influencing work across federal agencies.
The scope of the order is narrower than originally anticipated. OPM had initially estimated that as many as 50,000 positions could eventually be reclassified. The administration has not ruled out expanding the pool at a later date.
What Happens Next
Each affected agency has seven days to notify impacted employees and update personnel records to reflect the reclassification. The Schedule Policy/Career order is already facing legal challenges in federal court, and its ultimate reach may depend significantly on how those cases proceed in the coming months.
The Bigger Picture
This executive order is the latest in a series of actions that have reshaped the federal workforce over the past year, from deferred resignation offers and agency reorganizations to workforce reductions and now civil service reclassifications. For federal employees in senior policy roles, the employment landscape has changed considerably.
For anyone navigating this environment, making sure your federal retirement benefits are in order and your options are clear has never been more important. A Federal Retirement Consultant (FRC®) can help you review your retirement picture and make sure you are prepared for whatever comes next. Schedule your complimentary benefits review today.
