The Senior Executive Service (SES) was officially created with the passage of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978. The SES is a separate system from the General Schedule (GS). The SES cover many of our managerial, supervisory, and policy positions that are classified above the GS-15 (or equivalent). Additional information can be found at the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) SES Website.

At the Department of Commerce, the Office of Executive Resources is here to support and manage our SES, Senior Level (SL), and Scientific & Professional (ST) positions. Search the links below to find useful guidance and policies, frequently requested documents, resources and tools covering the area of executive resources management. 

Contacts

• Secretarial Officers/Heads of Operating Units
• SES Executive Resources Counterpart Contacts

Forms

• Reimbursable Agreement
• Non-reimbursable Agreement

Guidance

• Intergovernmental Personnel Act Mobility Program
• QRB Submission Timeline Summary
• SES Recruitment Checklist

Leave and Pay Administration

• SES Employees Annual Leave Accumulation
• SES Pay and EX-III Pay Rate
• Aggregate Compensation Limit

Performance Management

Political Appointments

• Appointment Affidavits (SF-61)
• Guidance on Engaging in Political Activities
• Presidential Transition Guide
• Plum Book
• 2023 Plum Book Notification

Resources and Tools

• HR Bulletins
• Department Administrative Orders (DAO)
• Department Organization Orders (DOO)
• Glossary of Federal Terms
• Guide to Processing Personnel Actions
• Executive Orders
• 5 CFR
• Federal Register
• Office of Personnel Management SES Website
• Senior Executive Association
• USAJOBS

Related Information/Links

• Post-Employment Restrictions
• Recruitment and Relocation Bonuses and Retention Allowances

ST/SL

• Senior-Level positions (SL)
• Senior Professional Pay Policy
• Scientific and Professional Positions (ST)
  • ST/SL Performance Management System

Training/Development/Executive Assignments

• Africa Command-USAFRICOM
• OPM Executive Development Programs
• Federal Candidate Development Program
• Commerce SES Candidate Development Program