Federal Position Descriptions
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Principal Deputy Undersecretary Comptroller

Principal Deputy Undersecretary (Comptroller), Department of Defense
Responsibility
Management Scope

The principal deputy undersecretary of defense (comptroller) assists the DOD comptroller in his or her preparation, management and accountability of the entire DOD budget. The DOD budget was approximately $576 billion for fiscal 2016. The DOD has more than 2.1 million active and reserve service members and 742,000 civilian personnel.

Primary Responsibilities

• Serves as the first assistant to the undersecretary of defense (comptroller), assisting him or her in performing the duties of the position; acts for, and exercises the powers of the undersecretary when he or she dies, resigns or is otherwise unable to perform the functions and duties of the office (10 U.S.C. § 137a)
• Provides advice and assistance to the secretary of defense, the deputy secretary of defense and other DOD senior officials on budgetary, fiscal and financial management matters
• Serves as DOD’s senior accountable official for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 20092

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

• Appointed from civilian life (10 U.S.C. § 137a)
• Strong substantive expertise in military policy and DOD’s functions and policies
• Strong background in federal and DOD financial management
• Executive leadership experience, including DOD experience
• Understanding of and experience working with OMB and Congress
• Financial audit knowledge (a significant plus)
• Familiarity with cyber technology (a plus)
• Experience with risk management (a plus)
• Background in data analytics (a plus)

Competencies

• High level of energy
• Ability to clearly articulate complex budget issues to senior leaders, OMB, Congress and the media
• Ability to collaborate with DOD senior leaders — both military and civilian — as well as other CFOs and OMB, via the CFO Council
• Knowledge of and relationships with Congress, or the ability to develop them

Past Appointments
  • John Conger (2015 to 2017): Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations and Environment; Assistant Deputy Undersecretary for Installations and Environment; Legislative Director and Principal Advisor on Defense, Veterans and Foreign Policy issues for Rep. Chet Edwards, Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs3
  • Michael J. McCord (2010 to 2015): Minority or Majority Staff Lead on the Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support; Professional Staff Member on the Senate Armed Services Committee4
AGENCY

Department of Defense

Mission: The mission of the Department of Defense (DOD) is to provide the military forces needed to deter war and to protect the security of our country.

COMPENSATION

Level IV $155,500 (5 U.S.C. § 5315)1

REPORTS TO

Undersecretary of Defense (Comptroller)

SENATE COMMITTEE

Armed Services

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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. OPM
  3. http://comptroller.defense.gov/About-OUSD-C/deputy_Bio.aspx
  4. http://www.defense.gov/About-DoD/Biographies/Biography-View/Article/602736/mike-mccord
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