Federal Position Descriptions
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Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education

Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education, Department of Education
Responsibility
Management Scope

The assistant secretary for postsecondary education coordinates policy direction for the $185 billion student loan and grant programs, which comprise 80 percent of the department’s budget; works closely with Federal Student Aid, which manages $1 trillion in student loan assets; and administers and oversees the award of $2 billion of discretionary grants annually to colleges and universities.

Primary Responsibilities

• Improves postsecondary educational facilities and programs through the provision of financial support to eligible institutions
• Recruits and prepares disadvantaged students to successfully complete postsecondary educational programs
• Promotes the domestic study of foreign languages and international affairs and supports international educational research and exchange activities3
• Works to strengthen the capacity of colleges and universities to promote reform, innovation and improvement in postsecondary education
• Promotes and expands access to postsecondary education and increases college completion rates for America’s students
• Broadens global competencies that drive the economic success and competitiveness of our nation4
• Administers such functions affecting postsecondary education, both public and private, as the secretary shall delegate, and serves as the principal adviser to the secretary on matters affecting postsecondary education
• Administers the secretary’s recognition process for accrediting agencies
• Appoints a deputy assistant secretary for international and foreign language education to perform such functions affecting postsecondary, international and foreign language education as the secretary may prescribe (20 U.S.C. § 3415)

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

• Must be a subject matter expert in areas relating to higher education and student financial aid
• Academic background, particularly background in serving at-risk students (a plus)

Competencies

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent leadership skills
• Ability to work under high pressure
• Ability to handle sensitive matters
• Ability to work across partisan lines

Past Appointments
  • Eduardo Ochoa (2010 to 2012) – Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Sonoma State University; Board of Directors Member of the Sonoma Mountain Business Center; Dean of the College of Business Administration at the California State Polytechnic University5
  • Diane Auer Jones (2007 to 2008) – Deputy to the Associate Director for Science in the White House Office of Science and Technology; Director of the Princeton University Office of Governmental Affairs; Professional Staff Member for the House of Representatives Committee on Science6
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)2

REPORTS TO

Secretary of Education

SENATE COMMITTEE

Health, Education, Labor and Pensions

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Footnote
  1. OPM
  2. 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.
  3. OPM
  4. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/index.html
  5. https://www.linkedin.com/in/eduardoochoa
  6. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianeauerjones
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