PD_ED_Assistant-Secretary-for-Communications-and-Outreach

Position Description

Assistant Secretary for communications and outreach, 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 communications and outreach provides overall leadership and policy development to the department’s efforts to engage a wide variety of groups and the general public in the president’s and secretary’s education agenda.¹ _OPM

Compensation

Level IV $155,500 (5 U.S.C. § 5315)² _{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

The Secretary of Education and the Deputy Secretary of Education

Responsibilities

Management Scope

The Office of Communications and Outreach carries out a wide variety of functions, including media relations, public engagement, intergovernmental affairs, customer service, message development and speechwriting, web and digital strategy, photography and video, publications, event planning, internal communications and Education’s signature recognition programs for schools and students.³ _{https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oco/schorr.html}
In 2016, the Office of Communication and Outreach had 86 nonseasonal, full-time permanent employees.⁴ The assistant secretary has about seven direct reports and manages a budget of about $18 million. _{Partnership for Public Service analysis of FedScope data}

Primary Responsibilities

® Leads Education’s communications and outreach efforts, and oversees press relations, digital media and content development, publications, contacts with organizations, and communication with parents, educators, students and citizens
® Provides overall leadership for the creation, design, development and coordination of specialized media and outreach efforts, and provides management and direction to the organizational components
® Offers policy advice on communications and outreach matters to the secretary and the department’s leadership; articulates the department’s message; represents the department’s and administration’s position to national news media on critical and sensitive issues; and develops innovative communications strategies⁵ _OPM

Strategic Goals and Priorities

[Depends on the policy priorities of the administration]

Requirements and Competencies

Requirements

® Experience with, or at minimum understanding of, all the tools of communications
® Experience leading large teams (preferred)
® Understanding of education issues (a plus)
® Understanding of the federal policymaking process (a plus)

Competencies

® Strong communication and interpersonal skills
® Excellent leadership skills
® Ability to work under high pressure at all times
® Ability to handle sensitive matters
® Comfort with ambiguity and imperfection
® Comfort with multitasking
® Belief in the abilities of all team members
® Ability to lead in a matrixed agency
® Exceptional writing, editing and public-speaking skills
® Understanding of, and appreciation for, the diversity of America, its schools and workplaces, and how communications strategies and messaging can vary by audience
® Ability to work long hours and weekends, though not necessarily from the office

Past Appointees

Matthew Lehrich (acting, 2016 to 2017) u2013 Strategic Advisor to the Secretary for Communications at the Department of Education; Vice President of Global Reputation Management; White House Assistant Press Secretary
Johnathan Schorr (acting 2014 to 2015) u2013 Deputy Assistant Secretary for Communication Development at the Department of Education; Partner and Chief of Staff for the NewSchools Venture Fund; Director of New Initiatives at the KIPP network of schools
Massie Ritsch (2012 to 2014) u2013 Deputy Assistant Secretary for External Affairs & Outreach for the Department of Education; Communications Director of the Center for Responsive Politics; Vice President of the Sugarman Communications Group
Peter Cunningham (2009 to 2012) u2013 President of Cunningham Communications; Head Speechwriter to the Mayor of Chicago, Richard M. Daley; Staff Writer for the Chicago City Council Finance Committee
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