Office of Personnel Management
Director: Katherine Archuleta, appointed May 23, 2013
OPM duties
- Conducts more than 90 percent of federal background investigations, for prospective employees and security clearances requests
- Manages federal job postings and sets government hiring procedures
- Manages pension benefits of retired federal employees
- Administers health and other insurance programs for current and retired federal workers
OPM history
Civil Service Act, created in 1883, establishes the Civil Service Commission. The commission, led by Teddy Roosevelt, laid the foundations of an impartial, professional civil service based on the merit principle.
The Civil Service Commission in 1978 reorganizes into three new organizations: the Office of Personnel Management, the Merit Systems Protection Board and the Federal Labor Relations Authority.
Source: Office of Personnel Management website