Final answer:
The Civil Service consists of government employees hired based on merit and expertise, not elected officials, active-duty military, or political appointees. The merit system was further institutionalized by the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, with the Office of Personnel Management and the Merit Systems Protection Board overseeing employment practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Civil Service, the individuals who carry out the work of the federal government, is comprised of government employees who are hired based on merit and expertise. This system, which has evolved from a spoils system to a merit system, began significant changes with the Pendleton Act of 1883. The act established the competitive service and the Civil Service Commission (CSC), which evolved into the Office of Personnel Management and the Merit Systems Protection Board after the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978. Today, the jobs are typically filled by examining the applicant's education, work history, background, knowledge, skills, and abilities, and occasionally require a civil service exam, especially for positions requiring specific or technical knowledge.