There are four basic types of political appointments:

Presidential Appointments with Senate Confirmation (PAS): These positions require a congressional hearing and a confirmation vote of the full Senate under the Appointments Clause of the United States Constitution. As of 2016 this category includes 1,212 senior leaders, including the Cabinet secretaries and their subordinates at the Deputy Secretary, Under Secretary, and Assistant Secretary levels; the heads of most independent agencies; and ambassadors. It also includes United States Attorneys and United States Marshals.

Presidential Appointments without Senate Confirmation (PA): These appointments do not require a Senate hearing or vote. As of 2016 there are 353 PA positions, most of which are concentrated in the Executive Office of the President. Some positions in other agencies were added to this category by the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011.

Non-career Senior Executive Service (NA): The Senior Executive Service (SES) forms the level just below the presidential appointees. While the SES largely consists of career officials, up to 10%, or (as of 2016) 680 positions, can be political appointees.

(These are not to be confused with career SES)

Schedule C Appointments (SC): Schedule C appointees serve in confidential or policy roles immediately subordinate to other appointees. As of 2016, there are 1,403 Schedule C appointees.

Unlike the presidential appointments, the non-career SES and Schedule C appointments tend to be made within each agency and then approved by the Office of Presidential Personnel.

https:// en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_appointments_in_the_United_States