Every four years, just after the Presidential election, the United States Government Policy and Supporting Positions, commonly known as the Plum Book, is published, alternately, by the Senate and the House. The Plum Book is used to identify presidentially appointed positions within the Federal Government. The Plum Book is a listing of over 8, 000 civil service leadership and support positions (filled and vacant) in the Legislative and Executive branches of the Federal Government that may be subject to noncompetitive appointments, or in other words by direct appointment | United States Government Policy and Supporting Positions 2012 (Plum Book). Large Format Desk Reference Edition | Indigo Chapters