Federal Position Descriptions
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Undersecretary for Food Nutrition and Consumer Services

Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, Department of Agriculture
Responsibility
Management Scope

In fiscal 2015, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) had a budget of $112.237 billion.5 The undersecretary for food, nutrition and consumer services delivers billions of dollars in food stamps.

Primary Responsibilities
  • Supervises the department’s 15 federal nutrition assistance programs, including the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and school meals6
  • Works with public, private and nonprofit partners to increase food security and reduce hunger by providing children and low-income people access to food, a healthful diet and nutrition education7
  • Manages efforts to reduce and prevent fraud, and spend taxpayer dollars on FNS programs more efficiently7
Strategic Goals and Priorities
[Depends on the policy priorities of the administration.]
Requirements

• Extensive management and leadership experience with government service programs in the food/nutrition and/or anti-poverty space
• Graduate degree (preferred)

Competencies

• Willingness to travel extensively
• Ability to listen, and energy and passion for the mission, in order to engage and support career staff, state agencies and nongovernmental organizations

Past Appointments
  • Kevin Concannon (2009 to 2017): Director, Iowa Department of Human Services; Commissioner, Maine Department of Human Services; Director, Oregon Department of Human Services9
  • Nancy Montanez-Johner (2006 to 2009): Director, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services; Chief Executive Officer for the Western Service Area, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services; Manager, Professional Partner Program, Region III Behavioral Health Services10
  • Eric M. Bost (2001 to 2006): Commissioner, Texas Department of Human Services; Chief Executive Officer, Texas Department of Human Services; Deputy Director, Arizona Department of Economic Security11
AGENCY

Department of Agriculture

Mission: To provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition and related issues based on public policy, the best available science and effective management; to provide economic opportunity through innovation, helping rural America to thrive; to promote agriculture production that better nourishes Americans while also helping feed others throughout the world; and to preserve our nation's natural resources through conservation, restored forests, improved watersheds and healthy private working lands.1

COMPENSATION

Level III $165,300 (5 U.S.C. § 5314)3

REPORTS TO

Secretary of Agriculture4

SENATE COMMITTEE

Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry

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Footnote
  1. Partnership for Public Service
  2. FNS.USDA.gov
  3. 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.
  4. Leadership Directories: https://lo.bvdep.com/OrgChart.asp?curp=1&LDIBookId=19&LDISectionId=180&LDIOrgId=152018
  5. FY 2015 Department of Agriculture Budget
  6. FNS.USDA.gov
  7. FNS.USDA.gov
  8. FNS.USDA.gov
  9. huffingtonpost.com/author/kevin-w-concannon
  10. GeorgeWBush-whitehouse.archives.gov
  11. 2001-2009.state.gov
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