>>714886 (last bread)

The SESs are the civil service equivalents of general officers. SES grade is determined by level and span of responsibility. Most are career civil service who have worked their way up through the ranks.

A number of senior positions throughout the government are SES-equivalent jobs filed by political appointees. They are subject to separation if the administration changes out. Trump had the option of cleaning them out, but for some reason didn't. This is a key reason he's experiencing so much obstruction.