COMPETITIVE SERVICE

The 'competitive service' is a part of the United States federal government civil service.
According to US Code Title 5 § 2102,
The "competitive service" consists of—
#all civil service positions in the executive branch, except:—
##positions which are specifically excepted from the competitive service by or under statute;
##positions to which appointments are made by nomination for confirmation by the Senate, unless the Senate otherwise directs; and
##positions in the Senior Executive Service;
Notably, the procedures for firing and demoting a member of the competitive service are extraordinary. A written notice of thirty days, a statement of reasons for dismissal, and a right to a hearing must be granted.