PD_NASA_Deputy-Administrator

Position Description

deputy administrator, national aeronautics and space administration

Overview

Senate Committee

Commerce, Science and Transportation

Agency Mission

To reach for new heights and reveal the unknown for the benefit of humankind

Position Overview

The deputy administrator acts with or for the administrator within the full scope of the administrator’s responsibilities and serves as the agency’s second in command.

Compensation

Level III $165,300¹ (5 U.S.C. § 5314) _{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

NASA Administrator

Responsibilities

Management Scope

In fiscal 2015, NASA had $20.97 billion in budget outlays and 17,744 employees.

Primary Responsibilities

® Is responsible for a portfolio of activities as defined by the NASA administrator (Depending on the background of the individual in the position, this could range from executive responsibilities to a full range of technical responsibilities.)
® Serves as acting administrator in the administrator’s absence
® Works closely with the administrator to provide overall leadership, planning and policy direction for the agency
® Together with the NASA administrator, represents NASA to the Executive Office of the President, Congress, heads of government agencies, international organizations and external organizations and communities

Strategic Goals and Priorities

[Depends on the policy priorities of the administration]

Requirements and Competencies

Requirements

® Appointed from civilian life (51 U.S.C. 20111)
® Extensive executive experience in large organizations
® Executive experience in a scientific or technical organization (preferred)
® Knowledge of or experience working in the multifaceted space enterprise
® Experience representing the interests of a scientific or technical organization to external stakeholders
® Expertise in a scientific or technical discipline (preferred)

Competencies

® Excellent executive leadership skills
® Strong communication and interpersonal skills
® Facilitation skills to bring competing points of view together
® Ability to work in high-pressure situations, often with incomplete or rapidly changing information
® Energy for frequent travel, often to foreign countries

Past Appointees

Dava J. Newman (2015 to 2017): Apollo Program Professor of Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Lori Garver (2009 to 2013): President, Capital Space LLC; Team Leader, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Team, President-Elect Obama Transition Team, Executive Office of the President; Civil Space Policy Advisor, Obama for America
Shana L. Dale (2005 to 2009): Deputy Director for Homeland and National Security, Office of Science and Technology Policy, Executive Office of the President, George W. Bush Administration; Chief of Staff and General Counsel, Office of Science and Technology Policy, Executive Office of the President; Chair, Committee on Homeland and National Security, National Science and Technology Council
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