PD_DOE_Undersecretary-for-Science-and-Energy

Position Description

Undersecretary for science and energy, Department of energy

Overview

Senate Committee

Energy and Natural Resources

Agency Mission

To ensure America’s security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions

Position Overview

The undersecretary for science and energy serves as the department’s principal advisor on clean energy technologies and science and energy research initiatives.

Compensation

Level III $165,300 (5 U.S.C. § 5314)¹ _{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.}

Position Reports to

Secretary of Energy and Deputy Secretary of Energy² _{Romney Readiness Project position description}

Responsibilities

Management Scope

In fiscal 2015, the undersecretary managed a budget of $8.769 billion.³ _{Leadership Directories: https://lo.bvdep.com/OrgDocument.asp?OrgId=-1&LDIBookId=19&LDIOrgId=246551&LDISecId=180&FromRecent=1&Save=0#O246551}
The undersecretary’s key staff includes the director of the Office of Science, an associate undersecretary, a senior advisor, a senior advisor for congressional and intergovernmental affairs, a senior policy advisor, a policy advisor and a special assistant.⁴ _{Romney Readiness Project position description}

Primary Responsibilities

® Manages fundamental research programs in basic energy sciences, biological and environmental sciences, and computational science
® Oversees the funding of material and chemical sciences
® Advises the secretary on all cross-departmental scientific matters (acting as the department’s chief scientist)
® Manages the national laboratory system
® Works closely with the Office of Science and Technology Policy, National Academies, the National Science Foundation and the State Department on proliferation/nonproliferation matters and international scientific collaboration⁵ _{Romney Readiness Project position description}
® Serves as the department’s principal advisor on clean energy technologies, and science and energy research initiatives
® Drives transformative science and technology solutions through the coordinated planning and management of Department of Energy’s basic science, applied research, technology development and deployment efforts, and energy programs
® Oversees the department’s offices of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Fossil Energy, Indian Energy Policy and Programs, Nuclear Energy, and Science, as well as 13 of the department’s 17 National Laboratories⁶ _OPM

Strategic Goals and Priorities

[Depends on the policy priorities of the administration]

Requirements and Competencies

Requirements

® Impeccable scientific background in a relevant field
® Well-versed in nuclear policy as he or she plays an important role in interfacing on nuclear weapons issues
® Familiar with the laboratory complex⁷ _{Romney Readiness Project position description}
® Extensive management experience
® Familiarity with the legislative and federal budgeting process
® Strong relationships with relevant stakeholders, or ability to form them

Competencies

® Strong communication and public-speaking skills
® Ability to communicate the science to high-level stakeholders across the government
® Ability to work under high pressure and handle sensitive matters
® Ability to manage a large matrixed organization

Past Appointees

Franklin M. Orr, Jr. (2014 to 2017): Keleen and Carlton Beal Professor Emeritus, Department of Energy Resources Engineering, Stanford University; Founding Director, Precourt Institute for Energy, Stanford University; Founding Director, Global Climate and Energy Project, Stanford University⁸ _{https://www.energy.gov/under-secretary-science-and-energy/contributors/franklin-lynn-orr}
Steven Elliot Koonin (2009 to 2011): Member, Trilateral Commission; Member, Council on Foreign Relations; Chief Scientist, BP p.l.c.⁹ _{Leadership Directories: https://lo.bvdep.com/PeopleDocument.asp?Perso
Id=-1&LDIPeopleId=187386&Save=1}
Raymond L. Orbach (2006 to 2009): Director of the Office of Science, Department of Energy; Chancellor, University of California, Riverside; Distinguished Professor of Physics, University of California, Riverside¹⁰ _{https://www.morehouse.edu/about/pdf/ROrbachBio.pdf}
The Partnership’s Center for Presidential Transition helps ensure the efficient transfer of power that our country deserves. The Center’s Ready to Govern· initiative assists candidates with the transition, works with Congress to reform the transition process, develops management recommendations to address our government’s operational challenges, and trains new political appointees.