PD_DOC_Assistant-Secretary-for-Economic-Development

Position Description

Assistant Secretary for Economic Development, Department of commerce

Overview

Senate Committee

Environment and Public Works

Agency Mission

To create the conditions for economic growth and opportunity

Position Overview

The assistant secretary of commerce for economic development has primary responsibility for the department’s domestic economic development activities and is the secretary’s principal advisor on economic development responsibilities and activities.

Compensation

Level IV $155,500 (5 U.S.C. § 5315)¹ _{The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (Public Law 115-31, May 5, 2017), contains a provision that continues the freeze on the payable pay rates for certain senior political officials at 2013 levels during calendar year 2017.}

Position Reports to

Secretary of Commerce

Responsibilities

Management Scope

The Economic Development Administration had a budget of $38 million in fiscal 2016 and 206 employees.² _{Leadership Directories}

Primary Responsibilities

® Oversees the department’s domestic economic development activities and is the secretary’s principal advisor on economic development responsibilities and activities
® Proposes general federal policies relating to economic development of undeveloped or underdeveloped portions of the country
® Designates economic development districts and terminates such designations when conditions require
® Assists state and local agencies in planning and carrying out economic development programs for designated districts
® Establishes guides on the nature, scope and content of any Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS), and acts upon CEDS requests
® Assists state and local agencies in developing applications for technical and financial assistance through grants and cooperative agreements
® Acts on requests for approval of economic development projects, and develops, issues and interprets policy guidance and criteria that agencies must follow in performing functions under these financial assistance programs
® Maintains relationships with federal agencies and national organizations concerned with economic development
® Assures the administration of Title I of the Public Works Employment Act of 1976, as amended by P.L. 95-28, including monitoring and servicing of grants
® Assures administration of loans and grants provided under the Community Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1977. P. L. 95-31³ _OPM

Strategic Goals and Priorities

[Depends on the policy priorities of the administration]

Requirements and Competencies

Requirements

® Previous government experience (a plus)
® Track record as an effective manager in a large and diverse organization
® Knowledge in the areas of finance, personnel, planning and evaluation
® Understanding of the legislative and federal budgeting process
® Knowledge of the division’s functions and policies

Competencies

® Strong leader
® Ability to work across party lines
® Well-developed communication skills useful for delivering an economic message to stakeholders, the private sector and Congress
® Ability to translate complicated economic information in a format usable for the secretary, deputy secretary and the administration’s economic team
® Strong communication and collaboration skills to work extensively across U.S. government agencies and with other relevant stakeholders
® Ability to work under high pressure

Past Appointees

Roy K. J. Williams (2014 to 2017): Deputy Director, White House Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs; Executive Director, Office of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers, Department of Labor; Mayor, Youngstown, Ohio⁴ _{https://www.eda.gov/archives/2016/news/press-releases/2014/05/14/williams.htm}
John R. Fernandez (2009 to 2012): Of Counsel, Krieg DeVault Alexander & Capehart, LLP; Senior Vice President and Partner, First Capital Group; Director, Board of Directors, Bloomington Economic Development Corporation⁵ _{Leadership Directories}
Santanu K. Baruah (2005 to 2009): Chief of Staff, Economic Development Administration; Deputy Assistant Secretary, Economic Development Administration;⁶ Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions Consultant, Performance Consulting Group⁷ _{http://rncnyc2004.blogspot.com/2008/06/santanu-sandy-k-baruah-biography.html http://www.detroitchamber.com/sandy-baruah-4/}
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