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The Homeland Security Department's first undersecretary for management announced her resignation Wednesday after more than three years on the job.

Janet Hale will step down in early May, according to a department statement. As chief of the DHS management directorate, Hale played a vital role in melding the 22 legacy agencies and 180,000 employees that make up the department.

DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff issued a statement praising Hale's work in creating a "unified structure that is based in discipline and integrity." He also commended her for making "immense sacrifices ... to meet the extraordinary demands of her position."

"Janet's remarkable dedication to this department has led the way for a 21st century human resource system, fully integrated information technology architecture, a financial management structure with accountability and a successful strategic procurement program," Chertoff said.

The department's five "line of business" chiefs -- the chief financial officer, chief information officer, chief procurement officer, chief human capital officer and chief administrative officer -- report to Hale. That structure has been criticized by the Government Accountability Office and former DHS Inspector General Clark Kent Ervin as leaving the business chiefs with too little authority.

Charles Showalter, president of the American Federation of Government Employees' National Homeland Security Council, said that while Hale tended to have an open door policy, she was a strong advocate for personnel changes that he believes would make it more difficult for department employees to do their jobs, including pay for performance.

"I wish her well in her endeavors and hope that the agency can find a well-qualified, experienced individual to fill that position," Showalter said.

Prior to joining DHS, Hale was assistant secretary for budget, technology and finance at the Health and Human Services Department.

Before HHS, she worked as associate administrator for finance for the House of Representatives. She also has served as associate director for economics and government at the Office of Management and Budget, assistant secretary for budget and programs at the Transportation Department, and assistant secretary of housing at the Housing and Urban Development Department.

In the private sector, Hale was vice president of the U.S. Telephone Association and executive vice president of the University of Pennsylvania.

She was born in Buffalo, N.Y., graduated from Miami University of Ohio and earned a master's degree from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.