History

• Congress created the US Civil Service Commission (CSC) in 1883 to replace an 1871 act that had given the president the power to appoint government employees. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) basically took on the role of the US CSC in 1979. Many states and cities still maintain CSCs.
  
  

Function

• The original CSC act provided a list of qualifications that would demonstrate an civil service applicant's "relative fitness" for the position "without regard to religious or political considerations." The act also mandated service records for all public employees.The OPM continues to provide competitive exams for civil service positions and promotions. It also maintains specific qualifications and provides necessary vocational training.
  
  

Types

• State and municipal CSCs and OPMs remain similar to the original US version. They conduct hearings on issues of pay grade, discrimination, exam standards and other public employees' concerns. They often adhere to the original commission structure.