Federal Position Descriptions
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Assistant Secretary for Economic Development

Assistant Secretary for Economic Development, Department of Commerce
Responsibility
Management Scope

The Economic Development Administration had a budget of $38 million in fiscal 2016 and 206 employees.2

Primary Responsibilities

• Oversees the department’s domestic economic development activities and is the secretary’s principal advisor on economic development responsibilities and activities
• Proposes general federal policies relating to economic development of undeveloped or underdeveloped portions of the country
• Designates economic development districts and terminates such designations when conditions require
• Assists state and local agencies in planning and carrying out economic development programs for designated districts
• Establishes guides on the nature, scope and content of any Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS), and acts upon CEDS requests
• Assists state and local agencies in developing applications for technical and financial assistance through grants and cooperative agreements
• Acts on requests for approval of economic development projects, and develops, issues and interprets policy guidance and criteria that agencies must follow in performing functions under these financial assistance programs
• Maintains relationships with federal agencies and national organizations concerned with economic development
• Assures the administration of Title I of the Public Works Employment Act of 1976, as amended by P.L. 95-28, including monitoring and servicing of grants
• Assures administration of loans and grants provided under the Community Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1977. P. L. 95-313

Strategic Goals and Priorities
[Depends on the policy priorities of the administration.]
Requirements

• Previous government experience (a plus)
• Track record as an effective manager in a large and diverse organization
• Knowledge in the areas of finance, personnel, planning and evaluation
• Understanding of the legislative and federal budgeting process
• Knowledge of the division’s functions and policies

Competencies

• Strong leader
• Ability to work across party lines
• Well-developed communication skills useful for delivering an economic message to stakeholders, the private sector and Congress
• Ability to translate complicated economic information in a format usable for the secretary, deputy secretary and the administration’s economic team
• Strong communication and collaboration skills to work extensively across U.S. government agencies and with other relevant stakeholders
• Ability to work under high pressure

Past Appointments
  • Roy K. J. Williams (2014 to 2017): Deputy Director, White House Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs; Executive Director, Office of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers, Department of Labor; Mayor, Youngstown, Ohio4
  • John R. Fernandez (2009 to 2012): Of Counsel, Krieg DeVault Alexander & Capehart, LLP; Senior Vice President and Partner, First Capital Group; Director, Board of Directors, Bloomington Economic Development Corporation5
  • Santanu K. Baruah (2005 to 2009): Chief of Staff, Economic Development Administration; Deputy Assistant Secretary, Economic Development Administration;6 Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions Consultant, Performance Consulting Group7
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AGENCY

Department of Commerce

Mission: To create the conditions for economic growth and opportunity

COMPENSATION

Level IV $155,500 (5 U.S.C. § 5315)1

REPORTS TO

Secretary of Commerce

SENATE COMMITTEE

Environment and Public Works

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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. Leadership Directories
  3. OPM
  4. https://www.eda.gov/archives/2016/news/press-releases/2014/05/14/williams.htm
  5. Leadership Directories
  6. http://rncnyc2004.blogspot.com/2008/06/santanu-sandy-k-baruah-biography.html
  7. http://www.detroitchamber.com/sandy-baruah-4/
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