Deputy Assistant Secretary

Summary

The mission of the Office of Finance and Operations (OFO) is to transform the Department of Education (ED) into a high-performance, customer-focused organization by providing services to our customers that help them do a better job of managing their people, processes, and overall strategy. This position may be detailed to another Federal agency.

Duties

Provides senior executive leadership for the Office of Financial Management (OFM) and oversees Department-wide financial operations, including accounting, financial reporting, payment integrity, cash management, funds control, financial transactions, and fiscal accountability. Advises the Chief Financial Officer and senior Department leadership on financial management risks, audit issues, internal controls, financial reporting, funds management, and fiscal integrity matters. Leads efforts to strengthen financial management systems, processes, controls, and reporting across the Department, including coordination with the principal operating component (program) offices, the Office of Federal Student Aid, the Institute of Education Sciences, the Office of the Chief Information Officer, the Office of Acquisition Management, the Office of Human Resources, the Office of Business Support Services, Budget Service, and other Department components. Builds a culture of accuracy, accountability, service, audit readiness, and continuous improvement. Ensures OFM has appropriate workforce planning, succession planning, training, and technical expertise to meet the Department's financial management responsibilities and accounting operations. Serves as the senior executive responsible for coordinating the Department's annual financial statement audit and related audit readiness activities. Leads engagements with independent auditors, the Education Office of Inspector General (OIG), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), U.S. Department of Treasury (Treasury), the U.S. Government Accountability Office, and other oversight entities on financial audit matters. Leads and collaborates on critical projects and initiatives to accomplish the Department's mission and strategic goals. Leads Department-wide efforts to strengthen fiscal integrity, internal controls, payment integrity, and financial accountability, aligned with broad requirements of a CFO Act agency. Oversee financial control activities related to funds control, obligations, outlays, reconciliations, grant and contract payments, improper payments, and financial reporting. Ensures the Department maintains effective internal controls over financial reporting and financial operations. Supports compliance with federal internal control requirements, including OMB Circular A-123, FMFIA, and related financial management such as guided by the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), FFMIA, and other payment integrity requirements, such as required by the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 (PIIA), and the recent Executive Order 14249 (March 2025). Identifies systemic risks and recommends corrective actions to reduce fraud, waste, abuse, improper payments, reporting errors, and operational weaknesses. Provides financial management expertise on cross-cutting Departmental initiatives, including shared services, financial systems modernization, identifying and leveraging technology solutions, audit remediation, grants management, acquisition management, data quality, payment integrity, and internal control improvements. Supports Department-wide decision-making by providing reliable financial data, risk analysis, and operational insight.

Requirements

- One year probationary period, unless excepted by regulation. - U.S. Citizenship - Financial disclosure statement, OGE-278. - Must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust security clearance. - Relocation expenses will NOT be paid. - Registration with the Selective Service (if applicable). Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service. - All initial appointments to an SES position are contingent on approval from OPM's Qualification Review Board.

Qualifications and evaluation

Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted. Your Application Package will be further reviewed by a panel to determine if you possess the Executive Core Qualifications and Technical Qualifications. ECQs and TQs must be thoroughly addressed within your two (2) page resume. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed. Highly Qualified applicants may undergo one or more interviews and may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.

Education

This position is in the Accounting Series, 0510. In addition to the minimum qualification requirements above, applicants must also meet the basic education requirement established by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). To qualify, applicants must meet one of the following: A. Degree: accounting; or a degree in a related field such as business administration, finance, or public administration that included or was supplemented by 24 semester hours in accounting. The 24 hours may include up to 6 hours of credit in business law. (The term "accounting" means "accounting and/or auditing" in this standard. Similarly, "accountant" should be interpreted, generally, as "accountant and/or auditor.") OR B. Combination of education and experience: at least four (4) years of experience in accounting, or an equivalent combination of accounting experience, college-level education, and training that provided professional accounting knowledge. The applicant's background must also include one of the following: 1. Twenty-four semester (24) hours in accounting or auditing courses of appropriate type and quality. This can include up to 6 hours of business law; 2. A certificate as Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor, obtained through written examination; or 3. Completion of the requirements for a degree that included substantial course work in accounting or auditing, e.g., 15 semester hours, but that does not fully satisfy the 24-semester-hour requirement of paragraph A, provided that (a) the applicant has successfully worked at the full-performance level in accounting, auditing, or a related field, e.g., valuation engineering or financial institution examining; (b) a panel of at least two higher level professional accountants or auditors has determined that the applicant has demonstrated a good knowledge of accounting and of related and underlying fields that equals in breadth, depth, currency, and level of advancement that which is normally associated with successful completion of the 4-year course of study described in paragraph A; and (c) except for literal nonconformance to the requirement of 24 semester hours in accounting, the applicant's education, training, and experience fully meet the specified requirements.

How to apply

To apply for this position, you must complete this application and submit any required documents specified in the Required Documents section and submit by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.

Required documents

Some jobs require additional professional certifications. See the job announcement for details. Your resume should include relevant work experience, applicable education and your contact information. For current or previous federal employees, include the pay plan, series and grade. A complete application consists of all items listed below. Required materials must be submitted by the conclusion of the staffing process. Applications that are incomplete at that time may not be considered. Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit. Some documents may not apply to all applicants. 1. RESUME: All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages (i.e., 1 page that is double-sided or 2 pages that are one-sided each), minimum size 10 font, showing all relevant experience. Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) must include evidence of the ECQs and TQs. 2. VACANCY QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES: Responses are automatically submitted through USA Jobs when you apply to this vacancy. 3. ADDITIONAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documentation if applicable: CURRENT OR FORMER SES MEBERS: Must provide your SES appointment SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), and an SF-50 showing current career SES status or career SES reinstatement eligibility. SES CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SESCDP) GRADUATES: Verification of successful completion of an OPM-approved SESCDP and OPM SES QRB certification. CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES (including current U.S. Department of Education employees): must also submit: A Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50), which demonstrates your eligibility. To verify your eligibility, we will review your SF-50 to determine your tenure (block 24) and position occupied (block 34). Examples of sufficient SF-50s include appointments, promotions, within-grade increases, and pay adjustments. If you currently hold or previously held a federal position at or above the highest grade of this position or you have/had promotion potential at or above the highest grade of this position, you must also submit an SF-50 documenting your highest grade level held or promotion potential. Examples of sufficient SF-50s include appointments and promotions. 4. EDUCATION DOCUMENTATION: For positions with an education requirement, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected and not already on file. See "Education" for more details. Professional Certification: Applicants qualifying based on CPA or CIA certificate must submit documentation verifying the current certification with their application. PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL - Most recent performance appraisal is strongly recommended.

Additional information

VETERANS' PREFERENCE - Veterans' Preference does not apply to the SES. SELECTIVE SERVICE - If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify at the time of appointment that you have registered with the Selective Service or are exempt from having to do so under Selective Service law. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION -This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the hiring agency directly. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) POLICY - http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/index.cfm OPM must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office.