Federal Position Descriptions
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Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services

Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education
Responsibility
Management Scope

The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) supports programs that serve millions of children, youth and adults with disabilities. In fiscal 2016, OSERS had a total budget of $12.8 billion and 204 nonseasonal full-time permanent employees.2

Primary Responsibilities

• Serves as the principal advisor to the secretary of education on the education and employment of individuals with disabilities3
• Provides overall direction, coordination and leadership to the Office of the Assistant Secretary, Office of Special Education Programs and the Rehabilitative Services Administration4

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

• Subject matter expertise
• Prior agency experience
• Extensive management experience
• Strong relationships with relevant stakeholders or ability to form them

Competencies

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent leadership skills
• Ability to work under high pressure and handle sensitive matters
• Energy for frequent travel
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Ability to work in a matrix environment
• Ability to work across party lines

Past Appointments
  • Michael Yudin (2015 to 2016) – Acting Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education; Senate Staffer5
  • Alexa E. Posny (2009 to 2012) – Commissioner of the Kansas State Department of Education; Director of the Office of Special Education Programs; State Director of Special Education with the Kansas State Department of Education6
  • Tracy Ralph Justesen (2007 to 2009) – Career Program Specialist for the Department of Education; served in the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division; Associate Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council7
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/overview/budget/budget16/justifications/i-specialed.pdfPartnership for Public Service analysis of FedScope data
  3. OPM
  4. http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/as.html
  5. http://www2.ed.gov/news/staff/bios/yudin.html
  6. https://blog.ed.gov/2012/07/leadersed-alexa-posny-assistant-secretary-for-special-education-and-rehabilitative-services/
  7. http://www.allgov.com/officials/justesen-tracy?officialid=28660http://www.cpdusu.org/featuredstories/twins/
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