PD_NASA_Administrator

Position Description

Administrator, national aeronautics and space administration

Overview

Senate Committee

Commerce, Science and Transportation¹ _{Plum book}

Agency Mission

To drive advances in science, technology and exploration, and to enhance knowledge, education, innovation, economic vitality and stewardship of Earth.

Position Overview

The administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) serves as the agency’s chief executive officer and leads a nationwide NASA team to advance the missions and goals of the U.S. space program.² _{http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/codez/plans/Handbook00/chap2.html}

Compensation

Level II $179,700 (5 U.S.C. § 5313)³ _{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

President of the United States⁴ _{Romney Readiness Project position description}

Responsibilities

Management Scope

The administrator of NASA is responsible for managing a workforce of more than 17,000 civil servants supported by more than 40,000 contractor personnel. The administrator oversees a budget of $19.3 billion (fiscal 2016 NASA enacted budget).

Primary Responsibilities

® Articulates the agency’s vision
® Sets the agency’s programmatic and budget priorities and internal policies
® Assesses agency performance⁵ _{http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/codez/plans/Handbook00/chap2.html}
® Aligns the strategic and policy direction of NASA with the interests and requirements of the agency’s stakeholders and constituent groups⁶ _{http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/codez/strahand/roles.htm}

Strategic Goals and Priorities

[Depends on the policy priorities of the administration]

Requirements and Competencies

Requirements

® Experience and expertise with risk management⁷ _{Romney Readiness Project position description}

Competencies

® Ability to manage complex organizations and missions
® Ability to establish long-term strategic goals and develop and/or sustain relationships with international partners
® Exceptional management and negotiation skills
® Ability to build strong congressional relationships⁸ _{Romney Readiness Project position description}

Past Appointees

Charles Bolden (2009 to 2017) – Astronaut, NASA; Major General, U.S. Marine Corp; Chief Executive Officer, Jack and Panther, LLC⁹ _{Romney Readiness Project position description}
Michael Griffin (2005 to 2009) – Space Department Head, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab; President and Chief Executive Officer, In-Q-Tel, Inc.¹⁰ _{Romney Readiness Project position description}
Sean O’Keefe (2001 to 2005) – Deputy Director, Office of Management and Budget; Acting Secretary, Navy¹¹ _{Romney Readiness Project position description}
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.