Definitions.

(a) In this part: Agency means an Executive agency as defined in 5 U.S.C. 105, along with the Government Publishing Office, but does not include the Government Accountability Office. Competitive service tenure group has the meaning given that term in § 351.203 of this chapter. Component means the first major subdivision of an agency, separately organized, and clearly distinguished in work function and operation from other agency subdivisions (e.g., the Internal Revenue Service under the Department of the Treasury or the National Park Service under the Department of the Interior). Local commuting area has the meaning given that term in § 351.203 of this chapter. Permanent competitive service workforce and permanent competitive service employees mean agency employees serving under career or career-conditional appointments in the competitive service tenure group. Position change has the meaning given that term in § 210.102 of this chapter. Rating of record has the meaning given that term in § 351.203 of this chapter. Representative rate has the meaning given that term in § 351.203 of this chapter. (b) In this subpart: Vacancy means a vacant position in the competitive service, regardless of whether the position will be filled by permanent or time-limited appointment, for which an agency is seeking applications from outside its current permanent competitive service workforce. [75 FR 67593, Nov. 3, 2010, as amended at 91 FR 49216, Aug. 3, 2026]