Federal Position Descriptions
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Commissioner

Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission
Responsibility
Management Scope

In fiscal 2016, the FCC had $384 million in funding.
The FCC is organized by function. There are seven bureaus and 10 offices:
• The Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau
• The Enforcement Bureau
• The International Bureau
• The Media Bureau
• The Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau
• The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau
• The Wireline Competition Bureau
• The Office of Administrative Law Judges
• The Office of Communications Business Opportunities
• The Office of Engineering and Technology
• The Office of the General Counsel
• The Office of the Inspector General
• The Office of Legislative Affairs
• The Office of the Managing Director
• The Office of Media Relations
• The Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Analysis
• The Office of Workplace Diversity

Primary Responsibilities

• Promotes competition, innovation and investment in broadband services and facilities
• Supports the nation’s economy by ensuring an appropriate competitive framework for the unfolding of the communications revolution
• Encourages the highest and best use of spectrum domestically and internationally
• Revises media regulations so new technologies flourish alongside diversity and localism
• Protects public interest goals (which include consumer protection, competition, universal service, public safety and national security)
• Ensures that all Americans can take advantage of the services that competitive networks provide, without artificial impediments

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

• Deep knowledge of the telecommunications sector (including old and new media, wireless, internet, public safety communications and satellite)
• Understanding of how the government and its agencies function and of interagency relationships
• Exceptional leadership skills, including the ability to delegate projects effectively; must be able to evaluate the skills and knowledge of one’s team and build the team to fill any gaps
• Comfort with economics and with economic analysis
• Effective communication skills
• A mix of private sector and public sector experience would be beneficial
• Ability to manage and develop working relationships with members of Congress
• A keen understanding of the many issues before the FCC, including net neutrality, broadband buildout, cyber and building out spectrum

Competencies

• Collaboration & Influencing: works effectively with peers, partners and others who are not in the chain of command. When necessary, possesses the ability to say no to powerful figures, while projecting integrity and authority
• Strategic Orientation: demonstrates complex thinking abilities, incorporating both analytical and conceptual abilities to manage and develop plans and strategies
• Results Orientation: drives for improvement of results, as demonstrated by a track record of substantially enhancing the performance of the organization under this individual’s leadership; sets appropriate metrics and tracks progress and results in line with the administration’s policy objectives
• Team Leadership: inspires teams to achieve excellence by attracting and developing exceptional talent in the organization; fosters an environment of openness, respect and desire for achievement

Past Appointments
  • Ajit Pai (incumbent Chairman): Partner, Jenner & Block (2011-2012); Deputy General Counsel, Associate General Counsel, and Special Advisor to the General Counsel, Federal Communications Commission (2007-2011); Chief Counsel, Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Property Rights, Senate (2005-2007).
  • Mignon Clyburn (incumbent Commissioner): Previously Representative of South Carolina’s 6th congressional district on the South Carolina Public Service Commission (PSC) (1998-2009).
  • Michael O’Reilly (incumbent Commissioner): Policy Advisor, Office of the Senate Republican Whip (2013-2013); Deputy Chief of Staff and Policy Director, Republican Whip’s Office (2012-2013); Advisor, Republican Whip’s Office (2010-2012).
  • Tom Wheeler (2013 to 2017): Previously worked as a venture capitalist and lobbyist for the cable and wireless industry; was previously President of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) and CEO of the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA).
  • Jessica Rosenworcel (2012 to 2017): Senior Communications Counsel to the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (2007-2012); role supporting FCC Commissioner Michael Copps (2003-2007); role in the Wireline Competition Bureau of the FCC (1999-2003).
  • Julius Genachowski (Chairman 2009-2013): Special Advisor, General Atlantic (2007-2009); Chief of Business Operations, General Counsel (1997-2005); Law Clerk for Justice David H. Souter, Supreme Court of the United States (1993-1994).
AGENCY

Federal Communications Commission

Mission: To promote the expansion of competitive telecommunications networks in the U.S. and to protect and promote the network compact – including consumer protection, competition, universal access, public safety and national security – while ensuring that all Americans can take advantage of the services that networks provide

COMPENSATION

Level III $165,300 (5 U.S.C. § 5314) (Chairman)
Level IV $155,500 (5 U.S.C. § 5315) (Commissioners)1

REPORTS TO

FCC commissioners report to the FCC Chairman. The FCC is an independent regulatory agency; however, historically the Chairman has worked closely with White House offices.

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.
This position description was created with the help of Egon Zehnder, a global executive search firm.
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