PD_USDA_Assistant-Secretary-for-Civil-Rights

Position Description

Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Department of agriculture

Overview

Senate Committee

Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry

Agency Mission

To provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition and related issues, based on public policy, the best available science and effective management. To provide economic opportunity through innovation, helping rural America to thrive; to promote agriculture production that better nourishes Americans while also helping feed others throughout the world; and to preserve our nation’s natural resources through conservation, restored forests, improved watersheds and healthy private working lands.

Position Overview

The assistant secretary for civil rights assists the secretary in providing leadership, coordination and direction for the civil rights programs of the Department of Agriculture (USDA), including matters related to program delivery, compliance and equal employment opportunity.

Compensation

Level IV $161,900 (5 U.S.C. § 5315)¹ _{2017 data}

Position Reports to

Secretary

Responsibilities

Management Scope

The assistant secretary oversees a budget of $25.5 million and 140 employees. These employees are all in D.C., but the scope of what they do reaches 2,200 counties nationally.

Primary Responsibilities

® Assists the secretary in providing leadership, coordination and direction for USDA’s civil rights programs, including matters related to program delivery, compliance and equal employment opportunity
® Ensures compliance with applicable federal civil rights laws such as Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
® Provides leadership and direction for the fair and equitable treatment of all USDA customers and employees while ensuring the delivery of quality programs and enforcement of civil rights
® Ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations and policies for USDA customers and employees regardless of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and expression), religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, political beliefs, parental status, protected genetic information, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public-assistance program² _OPM

Strategic Goals and Priorities

[Depends on the policy priorities of the administration]

Requirements and Competencies

Requirements

® Understanding of process and procedures of Equal Opportunity Employment (critical)
® Understanding of the civil rights landscape

Competencies

® Sensitivity and discretion
® Ability to work in a matrixed department with 18 silos
® Cultural competencies and sensitivities
® Ability to work under high pressure and high stress environment

Past Appointees

Joe Leonard Jr. (2009 to 2017): Executive Director, Congressional Black Caucus; Executive Director, Black Leadership Forum; Washington, D.C. Bureau Chief, Rainbow/PUSH Coalition³ _{https://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=bio_leonard.xml}
Margo M. McKay (2006 to 2009): Associate General Counsel, Fannie Mae; Chief Policymaker and Compliance Officer, Fannie Mae; Administrative Judge, Merit Systems Protection Board, District of Colombia⁴ _{http://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=165998}
Vernon Bernard Parker (2003 to 2006): Special Assistant to the President, The White House; General Counsel, Office of Personnel Management; Counselor to the Director, Office of Personnel Management⁵ _{https://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=bios_parker.xml}
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