Federal Position Descriptions
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Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Department of Transportation
Responsibility
Management Scope

PHMSA had a fiscal 2015 enacted budget of $244 million and, in fiscal 2016, had 541 full-time nonseasonal permanent employees.3

Primary Responsibilities

• Carries out duties prescribed by the secretary (49 U.S.C. § 108)
• Provides direction to the national program to protect against the risks to life and property inherent in transporting hazardous materials in commerce and transporting natural and other gas, petroleum and other hazardous liquids by pipeline
• Issues all final rules, decisions on appeals and reconsideration decisions
• Determines and establishes PHMSA program policies, objectives and priorities, and directs the development of actions plans to accomplish PHMSA missions4

Strategic Goals and Priorities
[Depends on the policy priorities of the administration.]
Requirements

• Professional experience in pipeline safety, hazardous materials safety or other transportation safety area (49 U.S.C. § 108)
• Prior government experience
• Strong management experience
• Relationships with relevant stakeholders, or ability to form them
• Understanding of congressional and legislative processes

Competencies

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent leadership skills
• Strong negotiation skills
• Ability to work in a matrixed environment

Past Appointments
  • Marie Therese Dominguez (2015 to 2017): Member, Freight Policy Council, Department of Transportation; Deputy Administrator, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Department of Transportation; Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Assistant Secretary for Civil Works, Department of the Army, Department of Defense5
  • Cynthia L. Quarterman (2009 to 2014): Partner, Regulatory and Industry Affairs Department, Steptoe & Johnson LLP; Team Member, Department of Energy Review Team, President-Elect Obama Transition Team; Director, Minerals Management Service, Office of the Assistant Secretary, Department of the Interior6
  • Carl T. Johnson (2008 to 2009):President of the Compressed Gas Association; Special Assistant to Representative Amory Houghton of New York; Director of Federal Government Relations at Corning Glass Works7
AGENCY

Department of Transportation

Mission: To ensure a fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation system that meets our vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American people, today and into the future

COMPENSATION

Level III $165,300 (5 U.S.C. § 5314)2

REPORTS TO

Secretary of Transportation

SENATE COMMITTEE

Commerce, Science and Transportation

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Footnote
  1. OPM
  2. 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.
  3. https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/docs/FY2016-BudgetEstimate-PHMSA.pdf
  4. Partnership for Public Service analysis of OPM FedScope data
  5. OPM
  6. Leadership Directories
  7. https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/results/leadership/bio_1280.html
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