OPM was consolidated into the Office of State Finance in 2011 during the term of Governor Mary Fallin.

In addition to administering the Merit System, the OPM provides a wide variety of personnel-related services and regulatory functions affecting all agencies and employees in all branches of state government.

It is the responsibility of OPM to maintain a central clearing house of all classified job openings for the state government.

Prior to reforms enacted in 2011, the Administrator was appointed by and reported directly to the Governor of Oklahoma.

The last Administrator appointed by a Governor was Oscar B. Jackson Jr., who served in that position from 1991 until his retirement in 2011 following the reforms.