Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere

United States
Under Secretary of Commerce
for Oceans and Atmosphere
Incumbent
Dr. Kathryn D. Sullivan
since March 29, 2009
Website Official website

The Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, or USC(OA), is a high-ranking official in the United States Department of Commerce and the principal advisor to the United States Secretary of Commerce on the environmental and scientific activities of the Department. The Under Secretary is dual hatted as the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration within the Commerce Department

The Under Secretary is appointed by the President of the United States with the consent of the United States Senate to serve at the pleasure of the President. The current Under Secretary is Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, who assumed the role on March 6, 2014.

Overview

As the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Under Secretary oversees the day-to-day functions of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as well as laying out its strategic and operational future. Components of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that the Administrator oversees include the National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Ocean Service, National Weather Service, Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, Marine and Aviation Operations, and the NOAA Corps.[1]

With the rank of Under Secretary, the USC(OA) is a Level III position within the Executive Schedule[2] Since January 2010, the annual rate of pay for Level III is $165,300.[3] The Under Secretary ranks fifth in the line of succession for the office of Secretary of Commerce.[4]

History

The position of Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere was created by the Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970.

Reporting Officials

Officials reporting to the USC(OA)/Administrator include:

Office Holders

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "NOAA Home Page - Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., U.S. Navy (Ret.) Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator". Retrieved September 24, 2007.
  2. ↑ "US CODE: Title 15,1503b. Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere; duties; appointment; compensation". Retrieved September 24, 2007.
  3. ↑ "Salary Table 2006-EX". Retrieved September 22, 2007.
  4. ↑ "Executive Order on Succession at the Department of Commerce". Retrieved September 24, 2007.