Perubahan kebijakan birokrasi tentang Aparatur Sipil Negara menuntut  perubahan manajemen SDM Aparatur berbasis merit system khususnya dalam pengisian Jabatan Pelaksana di birokrasi pemerintahan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan merit system dalam proses pengisian dan penempatan Jabatan Pelaksana di Badan Kepegawaian Daerah Provinsi Jawa Tengah dan faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi proses tersebut. Metode penelitian yang digunakan kualitatif dengan pengumpulan data primer melalui teknik wawancara mendalam dan observasi, sedangkan data sekunder dikumpulkan melalui arsip dan dokumentasi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa proses pengisian dan penempatan SDM Jabatan Pelaksana di Badan Kepegawaian Daerah Provinsi Jawa Tengah yang berasal dari seleksi CPNS tahun 2014 dan tahun 2018 sudah sesuai dengan prinsip merit system, meskipun belum sepenuhnya diterapkan secara keseluruhan. Masih terdapat penempatan PNS yang belum sesuai dengan kebutuhan jabatan yaitu kualifikasi dan pangkat yang dipersyaratkan dalam menduduki jabatan tersebut (job spesification). Perlu diketahui juga bahwa dalam  penilaian kinerja melalui Sasaran Kerja Pegawai (SKP) bulanan, kedisiplinan dan kehadiran fingerprint yang berpengaruh pada Tambahan Penghasilan Pegawai (TPP).  Teridentifikasi juga beberapa faktor yang mempengaruhi proses pengisian dan penempatan pejabat pelaksana, yaitu komitmen pimpinan, sumberdaya manusia dan regulasi.

Changes in the management of human resources of the State Civil Apparatus (ASN) demand a policy based on the Merit system, namely the selection of the quality of the State Civil Apparatus (ASN) who has qualifications, competence and performance. This is particularly so in the appointment and filling of functional positions. However, in its implementation the merit system has not been implemented thoroughly due to employee competencies that are not in accordance with the requirements. Therefore, it is important to revitalize the merit system to rearrange employees according to their duties and functions, especially in functional positions. This research focuses on the revitalization of the Merit system in the appointment of functional positions to government employees. This study refers to Stahl's (1962) theory of merit systems by comparing qualifications, competencies and achievements that affect human resource selection. With a qualitative approach, this research was conducted in the Civil Service Agency of Central Java Province. Primary data collection is carried out through in-depth interviews and observation techniques, in addition to secondary data through archives and documentaries. The results showed that; (i) the process of filling and appointing Functional Positions is in accordance with the principles of the merit system, namely in accordance with the qualifications, competencies and formations required by the organization and the required job description assignments; . (ii) there is inpassing functional positions originating from administrative positions, especially those from executive positions and supervisory positions. This study concludes that the Merit Revitalization system in the Appointment and distribution of Functional Positions in the Central Java Regional Civil Service Agency has been implemented according to qualifications, competencies and formations. Research suggests (i) distribution of filling and appointment of functional positions to fill all areas or parts (ii) of tethering functional allowances for functional positions.