What is the difference competitive service and excepted service federal classes of jobs?

Competitive service jobs in the federal government are subject to the merit system and typically require candidates to go through a competitive hiring process, which includes assessments and rankings. Excepted service jobs, on the other hand, are not subject to these competitive hiring requirements and may be filled through non-competitive means, often for specific reasons such as to meet unique agency needs or to hire individuals with specialized skills. Each service category has distinct rules regarding hiring, promotion, and employment benefits.