PD_ED_Assistant-Secretary-for-Career-Technical-and-Adult-Education

Position Description

Assistant Secretary for career, technical and adult education, Department of Education

Overview

Senate Committee

Health, Education, Labor and Pensions

Agency Mission

To promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access

Position Overview

The assistant secretary for career, technical and adult education advises the secretary on policies in the area of career, technical and adult education, including community colleges and adult literacy.

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 Education

Responsibilities

Management Scope

The Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education administers programs related to adult education and literacy; career and technical education; and community colleges. It includes three deputy assistant secretaries (policy and strategic initiatives; community colleges; and management and planning).² This assistant secretary manages investments of approximately $1.79 billion annually.³ He or she oversees about 80 employees. _{https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/contactus.html OPM}

Primary Responsibilities

® Supports a range of state and local activities at the secondary and postsecondary levelsu2014with a special emphasis on the community collegeu2014that help young people and adults obtain the knowledge and skills needed to prepare for successful careers and productive lives
® Coordinates and administers programs and policies for activities related to career and technical education; adult education and literacy; correctional education; and agricultural science that are designed to improve and provide greater access to these programs; promote successful transitions to postsecondary learning; strengthen academic achievement and workforce preparation; and prepare adults for work, citizenship and future learning⁴ _OPM
® Oversees administration of grant programs in these areas⁵ _{https://www2.ed.gov/news/staff/bios/dann-messier.html}
® Provides a unified approach to rural education and rural family education through the coordination of programs within the department
® Works with the Federal Interagency Committee on Education to coordinate related activities and programs of other federal departments and agencies (20 U.S.C. § 3416)

Strategic Goals and Priorities

[Depends on the policy priorities of the administration]

Requirements and Competencies

Requirements

® Content expertise and familiarity with adult and technical education in order to determine policy direction (critical)
® On the ground experience, an understanding of the day to day work, and an understanding of you who are serving
® Extensive management experience

Competencies

® Strong communication and interpersonal skills
® Ability to work under high pressure
® Energy for frequent amount of travel
® Collaboration and partnership skills in order to work across different agencies and stakeholders
® Ability to work with and testify before Congress

Past Appointees

Brenda Dann-Messier (2009 to 2014) u2013 President of Dorcas Place (adult and family learning center); Northeast and Islands Regional Education Laboratory at Brown University; Regional Representative for Region I in Boston under the Department of Education⁶ _{http://www.allgov.com/officials/dann-messier-brenda?officialid=29000}
Troy R. Justesen (2006 to 2009) u2013 Deputy Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Deputy Commissioner of the Rehabilitative Services Administration; Associate Director for Domestic Policy at the White House Domestic Policy Council⁷ _{http://www.allgov.com/officials/justesen-troy?officialid=28662}
Susan K. Sclafani (2003 to 2005) u2013 Counselor to the Secretary of Education; Chief of Staff for Education (Houston Independent School District)
The Partnership’s Center for Presidential Transition helps ensure the efficient transfer of power that our country deserves. The Center’s Ready to Govern· initiative assists candidates with the transition, works with Congress to reform the transition process, develops management recommendations to address our government’s operational challenges, and trains new political appointees.