POSITION DESCRIPTION

Deputy Secretary, Department of agriculture

OVERVIEW
Senate Committee / Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry
Agency 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.
Position Overview / As per the Government Performance and Results Act of 2010, the deputy secretary is also the chief operating officer. The deputy secretary historically serves as a partner to the secretary, managing day-to-day operations and addressing issues that need not require the secretary’s attention. Depending upon the deputy secretary’s strengths, she or he may frequently interact with Congress and/or stakeholder groups (industry groups, food safety advocates, hunger advocates, etc.) and may travel domestically and internationally to advance departmental goals and invite public/stakeholder feedback.
Compensation / Level II $187,000 (5 U.S.C. § 5313)[i]
Position Reports to / Secretary of Agriculture
RESPONSIBILITIES
Management Scope / In fiscal 2015, the department had $139,115 million in outlays and 73,663 total employees. The department has 14,000 offices and field locations and $208 billion in assets. The deputy secretary shares support staff with the secretary and may have one confidential assistant. However, as COO, the deputy secretary will manage people from all over the organization, not just those in his or her direct office.
Primary Responsibilities / ·  Executes the president’s and secretary’s strategic plan for the agency by dealing with the overall operations, managing the individual departments and integrating mission-support functions with program and policy objectives.
·  Works with peers in other agencies, OMB, stakeholders including local or state governments and Congress.
·  Resolves interagency conflict.
·  Serves as a key advisor to the secretary on all matters pertaining to the agency.
·  Ensures that the agency’s components are delivering their programs and services in an effective and efficient manner with integrity.
·  Develops and manages complementary internal management processes that coordinate across programs.
·  Represents the secretary in public and private meetings including dealings with the White House, Congress, state governments, trade groups, etc.
·  Oversees internal GPRA processes.
·  Works closely with the secretary, chief of staff and CXOs.
·  Monitors budget status in conjunction with the chief financial officer (CFO) and develops budget requests in conjunction with the Office of Budget and Policy Analysis (OBPA).
·  May serve as liaison to USDA inspector general.
·  Interacts with stakeholder groups representing commodities, nutrition advocates, food safety advocates and environmental protection advocates.
Strategic Goals and Priorities / Depends on the policy priorities of the administration
REQUIREMENTS AND COMPETENCIES
Requirements / ·  Proven ability and experience leading and managing a large and complex enterprise
·  Previous experience with federal government enterprise operations
·  Understanding of core services, programs and initiatives delivered by the agency’s key departments
·  Experience dealing with high-profile stakeholders
·  Experience leading through unexpected crisis situations preferred
·  Familiarity with the federal budget process preferred
·  Experience conducting Congressional briefings and testifying before Congress
·  Understanding of farm policy (including government managed dairy and sugar programs), the regional divides within agriculture, the evolution of farm policy to market-oriented support and the food vs. fuel debate
·  Understanding of international trade strengths and potential, the World Trade Organization, internationally recognized standards set by the World Organization for Animal Health (known as OIE)
·  Knowledge of the regulatory responsibilities of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)
·  Understanding of the market sensitivity of the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) compiled by USDA
Competencies / ·  Demonstrated ability to resolve conflicts within a large organization
·  Comfort leading and managing in ambiguity, as deputy secretaries often have very vague or undefined statutory responsibilities and authorities
·  Ability to establish positive relationships with coworkers and external stakeholders
·  Ability to forge strong Congressional relationships preferred
PAST APPOINTEES
Sarah Saldaña (incumbent): U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas; Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas; Deputy Criminal Chief of the Northern District of Texas’ Major Fraud and Public Corruption Section.
John T. Morton (2009-2013): Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General (2009-2009); Acting Chief, Domestic Security Section (2007-2009); Deputy Chief, Domestic Security Section (2006-2007).
Julie L. Myers (2006-2008): Special Assistant to the President (2003-2004); Chief of Staff, Criminal Division, U.S. Department of Justice (2002-2003); Deputy Assistant Secretary, Anti-Money Laundering and Financial Crimes (2001-2002).

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[i] 2017 data