Federal Position Descriptions
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Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy

Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy, Department of Transportation
Responsibility
Management Scope

The assistant secretary oversees the Office of Economic and Strategic Analysis; the Office of Infrastructure Finance and Innovation; and the Office of Safety, Energy and Environment.2

Primary Responsibilities

• Carries out duties and powers prescribed by the secretary (49 U.S.C. § 102)
• Recommends overall surface transportation policy initiatives to the secretary
• Coordinates multimodal initiatives and processes, such as the development of the department’s proposed reauthorization language and streamlining environmental reviews of transportation infrastructure3

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

• Experience in transportation policy
• Prior government experience and knowledge of legislative and federal budgeting process
• Management experience
• Strong relationships with relevant stakeholders, or ability to form them

Competencies

• Excellent coordination skills and proven track record of collaboration
• Strong leader
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to interact and coordinate among high-level stakeholders across government
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Ability to work in a matrixed environment

Past Appointments
  • Carlos A. Monje Jr. (2015 to 2016): Counselor to the Secretary, Department of Transportation; Special Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, White House Domestic Policy Council; Senior Policy Advisor, White House Domestic Policy Council4
  • Polly Trottenberg (2009 to 2013): Executive Director, Building America’s Future; Deputy Chief of Staff, Senator Barbara Boxer; Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee5
  • Tyler Duvall (2006 to 2009): Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy, Department of Transportation; Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy, Department of Transportation; Associate, Hogan & Hartson, LLP6
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 IV $155,500 (5 U.S.C. § 5315)1

REPORTS TO

Undersecretary of Transportation for Policy

SENATE COMMITTEE

Commerce, Science and Transportation

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Footnote
  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.
  2. https://lo.bvdep.com/OrgChart.asp?curp=1&LDIBookId=19&LDISectionId=180&LDIOrgId=156722
  3. https://www.transportation.gov/policy
  4. http://cdn.theatlantic.com/assets/media/files/Monje-Bio.pdf
  5. https://www.transportation.gov/mission/polly-trottenberg
  6. http://www.transportation-finance.org/pdf/events/Tyler_Duvall_Bio.pdf
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