Political Appointments & Pathways to Working in a Future Administration
AAPIs are highly underrepresented in political leadership, especially at the federal level.
In fact, only 3% of current political appointees are Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI). Who is at the table impacts the types of policies and programs that get implemented. To effectively advocate and implement policies that benefit our community, we need more AAPIs at all levels of the federal government. That’s why AAPI Progressive Action and AAPI Victory Fund started AAPI46, a project to identify and vet candidates for high-level political appointments in the next Administration.
Last month, as part of AAPI46, we hosted an informational session on the presidential appointment process. Former high-level AAPI political appointees from the Obama administration shared their experiences on the process and their respective positions. To learn more about the federal agencies that hire these appointees, click here.
Here are some key takeaways from the session:
Qualifications & Criteria
There are several ways in which you can gain a position in the administration.
Your education and professional experience play a large role. For example, some appointees are lawyers by trade or subject matter experts in their fields (national security, economic analysis, natural resources conservation, aviation, etc.).
Additionally, many appointees have years of campaign experience as volunteers or staff. Many start as field organizers and are able to work up to higher positions in the campaign. Opportunities are available with the Biden Campaign and AAPIs for Biden. It is important to note that the landscape of campaign work in 2020 is changing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lastly, while personal or professional connections to the President, Vice President, or Heads of Agencies help you get in the door, these connections should not be relied on nor a substitute for a demonstrated record supporting candidates or work experience.
Work Environment
Federal agencies have well-established processes and structures, and aligned values across political appointees are critical for any successful presidential administration. These positions are often high stakes and can be stressful, especially during emergency situations. Do you operate well during a crisis? Are you adaptable and a problem solver when something goes wrong? Are you dedicated to public service? These are questions to ask yourself before you decide whether a position is right for you.
Roles and Responsibilities
Below are a few of the many roles available within a federal agency,
For reference, reporting lines in federal agencies are generally: Secretary → Deputy Secretary → Under Secretary → Assistant Secretary → Deputy Assistant Secretary.
The Deputy Secretary advises and assists the Secretary of their respective agency, as well as stepping in amidst the Secretary’s absence. This role helps manage the Department and often involves traveling and speaking at engagements and events.
The Assistant Secretary runs their division within a cabinet agency and sometimes manages tens if not hundreds of employees.
There are also approximately 3000 Schedule C appointments that serve in confidential and policy roles that support higher-level officials.
Process and Preparation
The process can be quite long, and if you are selected, a full background check is required. There are certain things you can do to best prepare for this process. This includes keeping detailed files of your political contributions and having all finances in order. Additionally, you should make sure that you have been paying all necessary taxes, and be ready to answer any questions about your past that may arise during the process.