PD_ED_Undersecretary

Position Description

UnderSecretary, 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 undersecretary of education oversees the department’s postsecondary and vocational education functions and plans for the implementation of strategic goals in these areas.

Compensation

Level III $165,300 (5 U.S.C. § 5314)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 undersecretary directly oversees the Office of Postsecondary Education, the Office of Vocational and Adult Education, and Federal Student Aid. Under the Obama administration, the undersecretary also oversaw six White House initiatives: the Center for Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships; White House Initiatives on American Indian and Alaska Native Education, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders; Educational Excellence for African Americans; Educational Excellence for Hispanics; and Historically Black Colleges and Universities).² _{https://sites.ed.gov/ous/}
In fiscal 2016, the Office of the Undersecretary of Education had 15 nonseasonal, full-time permanent employees.³ _{Partnership for Public Service analysis of FedScope data}

Primary Responsibilities

® Oversees policies, programs and activities related to postsecondary education, vocational and adult education, and federal student aid, including the president’s financial reforms for the Pell Grant program
® Plays large role in the implementation of the secretary’s Action Plan for Higher Education, which calls for expanding the accessibility, affordability and accountability of higher education for more Americans⁴ _OPM

Strategic Goals and Priorities

[Depends on the policy priorities of the administration]

Requirements and Competencies

Requirements

® Higher education or student loan experience, for example as governor, state higher education system leader or higher education institution leader
® Management experience
® Business and technology background

Competencies

® Ability to communicate effectively with state and higher education leaders
® Consensus builder

Past Appointees

Theodore Reed Mitchell (2014 to 2017) u2013 CEO of the NewSchools Venture Fund; President of the California State Board of Education; President of Occidental College
Martha J. Kanter (2009 to 2013) u2013 Chancellor of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District; President of De Anza College; Vice Chancellor for Policy and Research for the California Community Chancellor’s Office
Sara Alicia Tucker (2006 to 2008) u2013 President and CEO of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund; Regional Vice President for AT&T Global Business Communications Systems; Vice President for Consumer Operations at AT&T
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.