Federal Position Descriptions
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Assistant Secretary for Manpower and Reserve Affairs

Army Assistant Secretary for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Department of Defense
Responsibility
Management Scope

The DOD budget was approximately $718.3 billion for fiscal 2020. The assistant secretary of defense for manpower and reserve affairs leads the Office of Manpower and Reserve Affairs. With eight organizations supported by nearly 27,000 personnel spanning three locations, the department supports the total force by planning, directing, coordinating and supervising the more than 2.1 million active and reserve service members and 742,000 civilian personnel.

Primary Responsibilities
  • Ensures the development and delivery of all personnel policy, both civilian and military and implements human resource solutions that support the Total Force and mission readiness.
  • Delivers credible advice and information proactively about the capabilities of the reserve components and develops the policies and resources necessary to fully exploit those capabilities.
  • Develops policies and legislation to ensure operational and strategic reserve components that are seamlessly integrated with the total force supporting national security at home and abroad.
  • Oversees the operations of the Department of Defense education activity, the Defense Commissary Agency and the Armed Forces retirement home and provides policy oversight of the Office of Family and Employer Programs and Policy.
  • Engages Congress on issues impacting the manpower and reserve affairs portfolio, responds to congressional inquiries and meets with members of Congress and professional staff members of key defense committees on a regular basis to address major issues impacting total force.
  • Provides relevant and timely policy, as well as procedural updates to Congress, the military service leadership, Defense department policy influencers, service members, civilians, their families, veterans, service providers and volunteers
Strategic Goals and Priorities
[Depends on the policy priorities of the administration.]
Requirements
  • Effective communications skills.
  • Exceptional leadership and business skills.
  • An understanding of interagency relationships in the community.
  • Experience interacting with senior military leaders and a background in defense would be beneficial.
Competencies
  • Collaboration & Influencing: Works effectively with peers, partners and others who are not in the line of command.
  • Strategic Orientation: Demonstrates complex thinking abilities, incorporating both analytical and conceptual abilities to manage and develop plans and strategies.
  • Results Orientation: Drives for improvement of results, as demonstrated by a track record of substantially enhancing the performance of the organization under this individual’s leadership. Sets appropriate metrics and tracks progress and results in line with the administration’s policy objectives.
  • Team Leadership: Inspires teams to achieve excellence by attracting and developing exceptional talent in the organization. Fosters an environment of openness, respect and desire for achievement.
Past Appointments
  • Casey Wardynski (2019 to Present) – CFO and CEO, FISH Technologies; CFO, Aurora Colorado Public Schools and Superintendent of Huntsville Alabama City Schools; Special Weapons Officer, Army
  • Debra S. Wada (2014 to 2017) – Professional Staff Member on the House of Representatives’ Armed Services Committee; Legislative Affairs Specialist for the National Park Service; Legislative Assistant for Senator Daniel K. Akaka
  • Thomas R. Lamont (2009 to 2013) – Member, Reserve Forces Policy Board, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, United States Department of Defense; Special Counsel, University of Illinois; Chair of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees; Attorney and Resident Partner for Gordon & Glickson, Altheimer & Gray, and Brown, Hay & Stephens; Assistant Illinois Attorney General
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.

COMPENSATION

Level IV $158,500 (5 U.S.C. § 5315)1

REPORTS TO

Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness

SENATE COMMITTEE

Armed Services

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Footnote
  1. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116-260, December 27 ,2020), contains a provision that continues the freeze on the payable pay rates for certain senior political officials through January 1, 2022. The compensation information is based on guidance from the Office of Personnel Management and can be accessed here. If you are selected for this position, please consult the agency’ HR representative for further guidance on compensation.
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