Higher Civil Servant in the U.S.A. :A Professional Responding to His Environment and Subordinates

Abstract

In 1953 there were 2,527,960 personnel in the U.S. federal civil service. Out of this total number of employees, those who belong to the classified civil service are 2,164,163 which amounts to 85.6% of the total. Geographically these men are spread over fifty states and about 125 foreign countries, colonies, and dependencies. There are an1 estimated 80,000 different occupations, virtually every occupation available in the American society being represented. About 40% of the total federal personnel are covered by the Classification Act of 1949. The rest-such as TVA, the foreign service, postal employees and blue-collar worlters in the defense establishments-belng to their own position classification systems. One finds no administrative or managerial class, clearly and legally distinct from other classes in the service. There are agencies which are more or less independent and autonomous in their operations such as independent regulatory commissions, foreign and military services. On the other hand, tax and postage rates, customs classifications and veterans' benefits are those areas in which discretion is limited.