Executive Service and Management Service positions are generally termed “at will” employees. This means that they can be hired and fired at the discretion of the appointing authority or agency head. Hiring does not have to follow normal merit system procedures of public advertisement, testing and placement on a certified list of eligible candidates. These positions do have to meet the qualifications of the job as established by the hiring agency. Disciplinary appeals, including termination, can only be appealed to the agency head and only on the basis that the action was illegal or unconstitutional.

The Executive Service is defined by law as the chief administrators of principal units of government under the SPMS, deputy secretaries, assistant secretaries or positions of equivalent status as determined by the Secretary of DBM.

The Management Service is defined by law as positions with direct responsibility and oversight of personnel and financial resources requiring discretion and independent judgment.

Special Appointments are also “at will” employees and follow the same hiring and disciplinary appeals processes as Executive Service and Management Service positions. Special Appointments include:

• A direct appointee of the Governor;
• A direct appointee of the Board of Public Works;
• A position assigned to Government House;
• A position assigned to the Governor’s Office;
• A position, as determined by the Secretary of DBM, that performs a significant policy role or provides direct support to an employee of the Executive Service; or
• Any other position designated by law to be a Special Appointment.

Professional Service positions generally require knowledge of an advanced type in a field of science or acquired by specialized instruction and normally requires a professional license, advanced degree or both.

Skilled Service positions generally are all other positions not designated as being in another service category. Both Professional Service and Skilled Service positions are subject to normal merit system procedures of public advertisement, testing and placement on a certified list of eligible candidates. These positions are not "at will" and disciplinary actions must be for cause.