Federal Position Descriptions
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Deputy Secretary

Deputy Secretary, Department of Transportation
Responsibility
Management Scope

In fiscal 2015, DOT had $75,425 million in outlays and 53,822 total employment. The secretary’s office had 1,185 full-time equivalents. However, as chief operating officer, the Deputy Secretary will manage people from all over the organization, not just those in his or her direct office.

Primary Responsibilities
  • Oversees day-to-day operations of the department, including:
    • Financing and regulation of highway, transit and airport infrastructure improvements
    • Ensuring the effective execution of the airspace and air traffic control system
    • Regulating the safety of all modes of transportation (cars, trucks, railroads, airplanes, pipelines, hazardous materials)
    • Developing cooperation among federal, state and local governments, carriers, labor and other interested persons to achieve transportation objectives
    • Evaluate, develop and recommend to the secretary departmental and legislative budgetary, programmatic or legislative actions to achieve the president’s transportation objectives
  • Stimulates technological advances in transportation and transportation safety.
  • Executes the president’s and secretary’s strategic plan for the agency by dealing with the overall operations, managing the individual departments and integrating mission-support functions with program and policy objectives
  • Works with peers in other agencies, the Office of Management and Budget, stakeholders (like local or state governments) and, at times, Congress
  • Resolves interagency conflict
  • Serves as a key advisor to the secretary on all matters pertaining to the agency
  • Ensures that the agency’s components are delivering their programs and services with integrity, and in an effective and efficient manner
  • Develops and manages complementary internal management processes that coordinate across programs
  • Represents the secretary in public and private meetings including dealings with the White House, Congress, state governments, trade groups and others
  • Oversees internal Government Performance and Results Act processes
  • Works closely with the Secretary, Chief of Staff and CXOs
Strategic Goals and Priorities
[Depends on the policy priorities of the administration.]
Requirements

• Proven ability and experience leading and managing a large and complex enterprise
• Previous experience with federal government enterprise operations
• Understanding of core services, programs and initiatives delivered by the agency’s key departments
• Experience dealing with high-profile stakeholders
• Experience leading through unexpected crisis situations (preferred)
• Familiarity with the federal budget process (preferred)
• Knowledge/experience in transportation industry or government transportation operations is a plus

Competencies

• Demonstrated ability to resolve conflicts within a large organization
• Comfortable taking charge when leading and managing the agency, as deputy secretaries often have very vague or undefined statutory responsibilities and authorities
• Ability to establish positive relationships with coworkers and external stakeholders
• Ability to forge strong congressional relationships (preferred)
• Effective relationships and respect within the highway, air, transit and other elements of the transportation industry in the United States is a plus

Past Appointments
  • Victor Mendez (2014-2017) – Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration; Director of the Arizona Department of Transportation
  • John D. Porcari (2009-2013) – Maryland Secretary of Transportation; Vice-President for Administrative Affairs at the University of Maryland; Maryland Deputy Secretary of Transportation; Development Manager for Office of County Executive in Prince George’s County
  • Thomas Barret (2007-2009) – first permanent administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration; Vice Commandant of the United States Coast Guard; served 35 years in the Coast Guard
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 II $179,700 (5 U.S.C. § 5313)1

REPORTS TO

Secretary of the Department of Transportation

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.
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