Civil Service FAQ Public Administration Basics Questions and Answers 2

Question 1

Which federal law governs the merit-based hiring system for most U.S. federal civilian employees?

Accepted Answer

Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883

Answer

Civil Service Reform Act of 1978

Answer

Hatch Act of 1939

Answer

Federal Employees Pay Comparability Act of 1990

Question 2

What is the primary role of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM)?

Accepted Answer

Manage federal employee retirement and HR policy

Answer

Investigate fraud in federal agencies

Answer

Oversee the federal budget

Answer

Prosecute violations of civil service rules

Question 3

Which principle of public administration holds that government agencies must account for their actions to elected officials and the public?

Accepted Answer

Accountability

Answer

Efficiency

Answer

Neutrality

Answer

Hierarchy

Question 4

A 'position classification' system in civil service is primarily used to:

Accepted Answer

Group jobs with similar duties and qualifications into pay grades

Answer

Rank employees by seniority

Answer

Assign employees to geographic locations

Answer

Determine an employee's leave balance

Question 5

What does the term 'probationary period' mean in the context of civil service employment?

Accepted Answer

A trial employment period before an employee gains full civil service protections

Answer

A period during which an employee faces disciplinary review

Answer

A suspension without pay for policy violations

Answer

A mandatory training period before promotion

Question 6

Which concept describes the separation of civil service employees from partisan political activities to preserve impartial government service?

Accepted Answer

Political neutrality

Answer

Federalism

Answer

Decentralization

Answer

Spoils system