Federal Position Descriptions
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Assistant Secretary for Homeland Defense and Global Security

Assistant Secretary for Homeland Defense and Global Security, Department of Defense
Responsibility
Management Scope

The assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense and global security has five direct reports that include a:
• Deputy assistant secretary of defense for defense continuity and mission assurance
• Deputy assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense integration and defense support of civil authorities
• Deputy assistant secretary of defense for cyber policy
• Deputy assistant secretary of defense for space policy
• Deputy assistant secretary of defense for countering weapons of mass destruction
Each deputy assistant secretary oversees a principal director.6
The assistant secretary also serves as the principal cyber advisor, a direct report to the secretary of defense on cyber issues.

Primary Responsibilities
  • Responsible for the overall supervision of the homeland defense activities of the Department of Defense (10 U.S. Code § 138)
  • Advises the secretary of defense and undersecretary of defense for policy on policy, strategy and implementation guidance across a diverse portfolio of national and global security issues, such as:
    • Countering weapons of mass destruction
    • Cyber operations
    • Homeland defense activities
    • Antiterrorism/force protection
    • Continuity of government and mission assurance
    • Defense support to civil authorities
    • Space-related matters
  • Develops policy guidance; provides astute policy advice; supervises the Homeland Defense activities of the Department of Defense; and oversees planning, capability development and operational implementation to assure warfighting and national security advantages
Strategic Goals and Priorities
[Depends on the policy priorities of the administration.]
Requirements

• Extensive management experience and ability to form relationships inside and outside of the Department of Defense
• Expertise or experience in one or more of the areas the position advises (preferred)
• Prior National Security Council or Department of Defense experience (preferred)

Competencies

• Strong communication, interpersonal and leadership skills
• Ability to handle highly sensitive and classified material
• Energy for frequent amount of travel and for sustaining long working hours, especially during a homeland defense or cyber crisis
• Ability to negotiate and work across a matrixed agency

Past Appointments
  • Thomas Atkin (2015 to 2017) (acting): Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Global Security, Department of Defense; Director, Raytheon U.S. Business Development for Homeland Security; Managing Principal, The Atkin Group; Rear Admiral (Upper Half), Coast Guard7
  • Eric Rosenbach (2014 to 2015): Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy, Department of Defense;8 Principal and Global Cybersecurity Practice Lead, Good Harbor Consulting; Executive Director of the Belfer Center for International Affairs, John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University9
  • Paul N. Stockton (2009 to 2013): Senior Research Scholar, Stanford University’s Center for International Security and Cooperation; Director, Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Associate Provost for Institutional Development, School of International Graduate Studies10
AGENCY

Department of Defense

Mission: The mission of the Department of Defense is to provide the military forces needed to deter war and to protect the security of our country.2

COMPENSATION

Level IV $155,500 (5 U.S.C. § 5315)4
Since this is not a confirmed position, the salary is based on the Senior Executive Service pay scale and may be greater.

REPORTS TO

Undersecretary of Defense for Policy5

SENATE COMMITTEE

Armed Services

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Footnote
  1. https://www.congress.gov/nomination/113th-congress/1290?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22Eric+Rosenbach%22%5D%7D&r=1
  2. Partnership for Public Service Position Description
  3. http://www.defense.gov/About-DoD/Biographies/Biography-View/Article/616263/thomas-atkin
  4. 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.
  5. http://policy.defense.gov/Portals/11/Documents/Policy_Leadership_Slate.pdf?ver=2015-07-13-083408-297
  6. http://policy.defense.gov/Portals/11/Documents/Policy_Leadership_Slate.pdf?ver=2015-07-13-083408-297
  7. http://www.defense.gov/About-DoD/Biographies/Biography-View/Article/616263/thomas-atkin
  8. http://www.defense.gov/About-DoD/Biographies/Biography-View/Article/602758
  9. http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/publication/23783/president_obama_to_nominate_eric_rosenbach_for_key_administration_post.html
  10. http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/www/external/nsrd/DoD-CBRNE-Panel/panel/meetings/20100317/F-7-Bio-Stockton.pdf
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