Federal Position Descriptions
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Assistant Secretary for Career Technical and Adult Education

Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical and Adult Education, Department of Education
Responsibility
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.

Primary Responsibilities

• Supports a range of state and local activities at the secondary and postsecondary levels — with a special emphasis on the community college — that 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
• 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

• 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 Appointments
  • Brenda Dann-Messier (2009 to 2014) – 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
  • Troy R. Justesen (2006 to 2009) – 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
  • Susan K. Sclafani (2003 to 2005) – Counselor to the Secretary of Education; Chief of Staff for Education (Houston Independent School District)
AGENCY

Department of Education

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

COMPENSATION

Level IV $155,500 (5 U.S.C. § 5315)1

REPORTS TO

Secretary of Education

SENATE COMMITTEE

Health, Education, Labor and Pensions

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Footnote
  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.
  2. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/contactus.html
  3. OPM
  4. OPM
  5. https://www2.ed.gov/news/staff/bios/dann-messier.html
  6. http://www.allgov.com/officials/dann-messier-brenda?officialid=29000
  7. http://www.allgov.com/officials/justesen-troy?officialid=28662
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